South Africa's Trade Surplus Jumps to R31.9 Billion in March

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After a sluggish start to the year, South Africa's trade numbers came back strong. March 2026 delivered a preliminary trade balance surplus of R31.9 billion, more than three times January's R9.3 billion, and well ahead of March 2025's R24.8 billion surplus.

SARS released the figures on 30 April 2026, showing exports of R187.9 billion against imports of R156.0 billion. These numbers include trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Namibia (BELN).

What this means for you and your clients

A widening surplus signals stronger export performance and tighter import demand. For accountants advising businesses in trade-linked sectors, these are the signals to watch:

• Rising exports may point to improved revenue for clients in mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. If your clients export, now is a good time to review their foreign currency exposures and whether their invoicing structures still make sense.

• Import costs remain a pressure point for many businesses, particularly those relying on fuel, machinery, or components from Asia. That pressure hasn't gone away, even as the overall surplus improved.

• Regional trade with the BELN countries continues to be a meaningful part of South Africa's trade picture. If you have clients operating across borders in southern Africa, cross-border compliance and advisory work is an area worth building out.

• Trade data is also a useful early indicator for cash flow planning. When export volumes shift, the effect on client revenues often shows up a quarter later. The March numbers give you a useful reference point for mid-year forecasting conversations.

For the full breakdown, read the Media Release from SARS or visit the SARS Trade Statistics webpage.