Pretoria - South Africa registered a trade deficit for the month of August, the South African Revenue Services (SARS) announced on Wednesday.
The R1.98 billion deficit for August 2009 was mainly due to a decrease in exports of 9.18 percent and a decrease in imports of 3.76 percent. Exports for August of R40.38 billion and imports of R42.36 billion resulted in the deficit.
The July to August change of 3.76 percent in the imports of goods reflected decreases mainly in vehicles, vessels and aircrafts, machinery and mechanical appliances as well as original equipment components.
With regard to exports, the July to August change reflected decreases, mainly in mineral products, vegetable products, base metals and precious and semi precious stones, among others.
In July, South Africa posted a record trade surplus of R0.4 billion, which had been a third consecutive surplus.
