Gold, PGMs and citrus drive R21.7bn trade surplus
It said key contributors to export growth in May included gold, platinum group metals (PGMs) and citrus fruits, while imports surged due to crude oil, artificial corundum and telecommunication equipment such as smartphones.
Sars said the preliminary trade balance surplus of R21.7bn May 2025 was attributable to exports of R175.7bn and imports of R154.1bn, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
Though the trade balance remains in surplus territory the year-to-date total is slightly lower than the previous year.
'The year-to-date (January 1 to May 31 2025) preliminary trade balance surplus of R60.3bn was lower than the R63.9bn surplus for the comparable period in 2024,' said Sars.
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Mabaso's calculations indicate that a R30,000 withdrawal could mean R22,000 lands in accounts after withholding tax, which doesn't take into account any overdue tax. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading One of Two-Pot's most vocal detractors is former statistician-general, Pali Lehohla. 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