South Africa registered a preliminary trade surplus of R15.6 billion in October 2025, driven by exports totalling R192.2 billion against imports of R176.6 billion, according to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
Despite this positive monthly outcome, the year-to-date trade balance of R142.7 billion (January to October) remained slightly below the R148.1 billion recorded over the same period in 2024. SARS reported that export flows for October 2025 were 7.4% higher than in October 2024, while imports rose by 7.3% year-on-year. Month-on-month figures also reflected growth, with exports increasing by 2.8% and imports by 7.2% between September and October.
The uptick in export performance was led by stronger shipments of gold, diamonds and unwrought aluminium, while rising imports of crude oil, refined petroleum products and original equipment components fuelled the increase on the import side. SARS further noted that ongoing Vouchers of Correction resulted in the final September 2025 surplus being revised upward to R22.3 billion, an adjustment of R0.5 billion from the initial estimate.