South Africa's trade balance remained in surplus in July, with exports edging up slightly while the monthly rate of increase in imports was higher, but off a low base.
The trade surplus for July was narrower at R2-billion in July compared with R5.6-billion in June, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) said on 31 August 2010.
Exports were up 0.8% at R56-billion in July compared with the month before, while imports increased by 8.1% to R54-billion.
"That is a very healthy surplus, I think what is encouraging is that imports at least ticked up, because imports give you a good indication of domestic spending. So that shows that there is life in domestic spending," said Citadel economist Dave Mohr.
"It's probably a bit of a disappointing rise in exports, that would be because of a stronger rand and flat commodity prices over the period."
