Johannesburg -
A trade deficit of R7.94 billion for November was reported by the SA Revenue Service (Sars) on Friday.
“The R7.94 billion deficit for November 2012 arose from exports of R66.27 billion and imports of R74.21 billion,” said Sars spokesman Adrian Lackay in a statement.
He said exports increased from October to November by R5.1 billion - 8.4 percent - while imports decreased in the same period by R8.1 billion - 9.8 percent.
Lackay said that the trade deficit in October this year was R21.2 billion.
The decrease in the trade deficit for November could be attributed to fewer imports of machinery, electrical appliances, vehicles, aircraft, vessels and mineral products.
He said exports increased in the trading of precious and semi-precious stones, vessels, aircraft and base metals.
“The cumulative deficit for the year to date is R112.7 billion, compared to R18.4 billion for the same period in 2011.” - Sapa