Exports Dashboard
South Africa’s exports are not just large in scale—they tell a story of growth, resilience, and diversification. This dashboard uses 15 key indices to showcase positive trends in goods, services, regions, and partners. Each tile pairs verified data with investor-friendly narrative and clear visual prompts.
From nearly R2 trillion in goods to a surge in services and creativity, South Africa’s exports tell a story of resilience and renewal.
This dashboard captures not only the current scale but also the trajectory—trading more, trading smarter, and trading further.
Total Exports
Exports climbed from ~R1.65 tn in 2019 to nearly R2 tn in 2024 (+19.4%). July 2025 alone hit R184.3 bn—underscoring scale and post-COVID momentum.
Sources: SARS Trade Statistics July 2025; World Bank WITS; Stats SA trade accounts (PDF: https://www.sars.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/7745July/Trade-Statistics-July-2025.pdf).
Trade Balance
From chronic deficits pre-2020 to consistent surpluses—South Africa has flipped the trade script, with YTD 2025 at R98.9 bn.
Sources: SARS July 2025 release (PDF: https://www.sars.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/7745July/Media-Release-July-2025.pdf); Stats SA national accounts.
Exports as % GDP
Exports consistently 28–35% of GDP over a decade; trade remains a third of the economy, with steady post-2015 gains.
Sources: World Bank WITS/DataBank; Stats SA/SARB GDP releases.
Top 10 Export Partners
China leads consistently; EU steady ~25–30%; Africa’s share rising from ~20% in 2019.
Sources: SARS July 2025 tables; OEC partner data (PDF: https://www.sars.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/7745July/Trade-Statistics-July-2025.pdf).
Partner Growth
Momentum lies with Asia and Africa—partners showing sustained multi-year growth, with China up 40% since 2019.
Sources: SARS annual trade tables; OEC partner data.
Regional Export Shares
Africa and Asia are climbing—evidence of regional integration and eastward pivot, with Africa up 3% since 2018.
Sources: OEC; Afreximbank ATR 2024 (PDF: https://media.afreximbank.com/afrexim/African-Trade-Report_2024.pdf); WITS.
AfCFTA Share
South Africa anchors AfCFTA, holding one-fifth of continental trade as volumes surged 47% since 2019.
Sources: Afreximbank ATR 2024; SA Country Brief 2024.
Automotive Exports
Automotive exports surged 50% in 5 years, cementing SA’s global role in supply chains amid AGOA extensions.
Sources: NAAMSA Q4 2024 Review (PDF: https://naamsa.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20250220-naamsa-Q4-Review-of-Business-Conditions-2024.pdf); DTIC AGOA data.
Citrus Exports
Citrus climbed 39–56% in 6 years; world’s #2 supplier; ~140k jobs sustained via AfCFTA access.
Sources: CGA Annual Report 2024 (PDF: https://www.cga.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2024-Stats-Book-1.pdf); ITC Trade Map.
Wine Exports
Wine exports steady in volume but rising in value as SA climbs premium ranks; Top 10 globally, with +3.4% volume growth in 2024.
Sources: WoSA Stats Nr 49 (2024) (PDF: https://www.wosa.co.za/wosadocs/72025/Statistics%20nr%2049.pdf); OIV Report 2024/25.
Platinum & Manganese
Steady uplift in PGMs, with SA #1 in manganese and ~80% of platinum reserves—resilient amid global EV demand.
Sources: OEC; ITC; SARB bulletins.
Coal & Iron Ore
Coal tapering under climate headwinds; iron ore holding steady—logistics reforms key to future margins.
Sources: OEC; ITC; SARS commodities; IEA coal stats.
Tourism Exports
Tourism roared back above pre-COVID levels, supporting 1.9m jobs in 2025 amid visa reforms.
Sources: WTTC EIR 2025; WTTC factsheets.
Creative Economy
Creative exports grew 67% in 5 years—film, music, and design gaining global traction via digital platforms.
Sources: DTIC Master Plans; UNCTAD Creative Economy Outlook 2024 (PDF: https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/ditctsce2024d2_en.pdf); SA Cultural Observatory.
Services (Overall)
Services expanded to 20% of exports—tourism, BPO, and finance lead diversification, up 33% since 2019.
Sources: SARB Quarterly Bulletin; World Bank WITS 2024.
Appendix — Optional Expansion Indices
- 🌍 Logistics Capacity (Global Benchmark) World Bank LPI 2023 – South Africa Scorecard
- 📘 Logistics Capacity (Full Report) World Bank LPI 2023 – Full Report (PDF)
- 🚢 Ports & Freight Data Transnet Integrated Report & Freight Performance Portal (2024)
- ⚓ Ports Tariff Methodology Ports Regulator of SA – Tariff Review 2024/25–2026/27
- 🚚 Freight Transport Statistics Stats SA – Land Transport Survey (P7162, May 2024)
- 📊 Diversification Index ITC Trade Map – South Africa Export Profile
- 🌱 Green Exports CSIR Green Economy Tracker – Renewable Energy Exports
- 💹 Export Forecasts IMF World Economic Outlook – SA Projections (2025–26)
A story of Resilience and Renewal
From nearly R2 trillion in goods to a surge in services and creativity, South Africa’s exports tell a
story of resilience and renewal. This dashboard captures not only the current scale but also the trajectory—trading more, trading smarter, and trading further
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