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South Africa's trade with France, Italy and Germany (FIG) for 2018
​​​Date: 7 January 2019
Category: Economics

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We take a look at the cumulative trade of South Africa with France, Italy and Germany (FIG) for 2018. Basically the total value of goods traded between South Africa and the aforementioned three countries from January 2018 to November 2018 (latest customs data available). And South Africa has a massive trade deficit with these countries.

• SA's trade data page
• ​SA trade with EU

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South Africa's trade with France, Italy and Germany for 2018

So what is the total value of goods being imported from France, Germany and Italy by South Africa? Or what is the value of goods South Africa export to these countries? And who are the main beneficiaries of such trade? We measure main beneficiary of trade as the trade balance between the two countries. The country with the the positive trade balance is the one that benefits most from trade between any two countries.

The bar chart below shows the total value of imports and exports from and to France, Germany and Italy during 2018 (Jan 2018- November 2018). And its pretty clear who the main beneficiary's of trade between these countries and South Africa are.

The total trade balance deficit for South Africa with Germany, France and Italy in the 11 month period amounted to -R64.18 billion. That is South Africa importing R64.18 billion more in goods from these countries than what it is exporting to them.  The R64.18 billion trade deficit is made up as follows:

• Germany: -R28.8 billion
• Italy: -R19.11 billion
• France: -R16.27 billion

So while Germany is the biggest contributor to the trade deficit of South Africa with the three countries, the fact remains South Africa has a significant trade deficit with all of these countries. These three countries accounts for 9.34% of the total value of South Africa's exports, while they account for 14.89% of South Africa's total imports.

For the 11 months South Africa exported R1.146 trillion and imported R1.150 trillion, giving South Africa a total trade deficit of -R4.16 billion. Yet their trade deficit with Germany, France and Italy comes in at -R64.18 billion (or 15.4 times the size of South Africa's total trade deficit). Just showing the significant trade deficit South Africa has with the aforementioned three countries. 

So what is causing this trade deficit with Germany, France and Italy? Below the three main product categories per country leading to the respective trade deficits with each of these countries:

Germany:

• Equipment components: -R36.55 billion
• Machinery: -R11.1 billion
• Chemicals: -R10.1 billion

Italy:

• Machinery: - R8.99 billion
• Mineral products: -R3.78 billion
• Chemicals: -R3.25 billion

France:

• Chemicals: -R6.6 billion
• Machinery: -R4.9 billion
• Plastics and Rubber: -R1.68 billion

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Related Topics

• SA's trade data page
• ​SA trade with EU​

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