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2022
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Exports $23.4BRnk 1 / 214
2022
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Top Product $8.85BGold
2022
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Exports $23.5BRnk 33 / 211
2022
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Top Product $1.78BBroadcasting Equipment
2022
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Economic Complexity (ECI) ECI 0.076Rnk 59 / 133
2022
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Economic Complexity (ECI) ECI 1.12Rnk 22 / 133
2022
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GDP$406BCURRENT US$
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2012-2022
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GDP GROWTH-6.57%CURRENT US$
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2022
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 GDP$18TCURRENT US$
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2012-2022
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GDP GROWTH111%CURRENT US$
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2022
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GDP PC $6,776CURRENT US$
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2012-2022
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GDP PC GROWTH-17.1%CURRENT US$
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2022
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GDP PC$12,720CURRENT US$
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2012-2022
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GDP PC GROWTH102%CURRENT US$
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About

South Africa-China In 2022, South Africa exported $23.4B to China. The main products that South Africa exported to China are Gold ($8.85B), Diamonds ($3.36B), and Platinum ($1.83B). During the last 27 years the exports of South Africa to China have increased at an annualized rate of 16.1%, from $412M in 1995 to $23.4B in 2022.

In 2022, South Africa did not export any services to China.

China-South Africa In 2022, China exported $23.5B to South Africa. The main products that China exported to South Africa were Broadcasting Equipment ($1.78B), Computers ($1.04B), and Electric Batteries ($777M). During the last 27 years the exports of China to South Africa have increased at an annualized rate of 14.3%, from $635M in 1995 to $23.5B in 2022.

In 2022, China did not export any services to South Africa.

Comparison In 2022,  South Africa ranked 59 in the Economic Complexity Index (ECI 0.076), and 34 in total exports ($147B). That same year, China ranked 22 in the Economic Complexity Index (ECI 1.12), and 1 in total exports ($3.73T).

Latest Trends

February, 2024

About

Overview In February 2024, South Africa exported ZAR19.4B and imported ZAR29.7B from China, resulting in a negative trade balance of ZAR10.4B. Between February 2023 and February 2024 the exports of South Africa have increased by ZAR3.24B (20.1%) from ZAR16.2B to ZAR19.4B, while imports increased by ZAR1.6B (5.68%) from ZAR28.1B to ZAR29.7B.

Trade In February 2024, the top exports of South Africa to China were Iron Ore (ZAR4.84B), Ferroalloys (ZAR4.35B), Manganese Ore (ZAR2.94B), Chromium Ore (ZAR2.06B), and Dissolving Grades Chemical Woodpulp (ZAR1.87B). In February 2024 the top imports of South Africa from China were Telephones (ZAR3.3B), Refined Petroleum (ZAR3.2B), Computers (ZAR2.15B), Cars (ZAR1.64B), and Electric Batteries (ZAR1.62B).

Origins In February 2024 the exports of South Africa were mainly from Saldanha Bay (ZAR5.46B), Durban (ZAR4.72B), Richards Bay (ZAR3.1B), Port Elizabeth (ZAR2.05B), and Komatipoort (ZAR1.74B), while imports destinations were mainly Durban (ZAR18.9B), Cape Town (ZAR4.04B), O.R. Tambo Int Airport (ZAR3.67B), Johannesburg (ZAR1.11B), and Saldanha Bay (ZAR747M).

Growth In February 2024, the increase in South Africa's year-by-year exports to China was explained primarily by an increase in product exports in Ferroalloys (ZAR2.8B or 181%), Dissolving Grades Chemical Woodpulp (ZAR1.64B or 713%), and Manganese Ore (ZAR774M or 35.8%). In February 2024, the increase in South Africa's year-by-year imports  from China was explained primarily by an increase in product imports  in Refined Petroleum (ZAR3.2B or 83k%), Cars (ZAR1.39B or 560%), and Electric Batteries (ZAR1.11B or 220%).

Latest Trade

Flow
Time Scale
Depth
Value
EXPORT GROWTH (February 2023 - February 2024)ZAR3.24B(20.1%)
IMPORT GROWTH (February 2023 - February 2024)ZAR1.6B(5.68%)
MAIN EXPORTER (February 2024)Saldanha BayZAR5.46B

This section shows exports and imports data at subnational level for South Africa. Click any date in the line plot, any subnational region in the geomap or any product to explore the exports or imports behavior of South Africa over time.

To check China and South Africa trade dynamics, check the bilateral page.

For full datasets download visit Bulk Download page.

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Historical Data

Bilateral Trade by Products

Depth
Value

In 2022, South Africa exported $23.4B to China. The main products exported from South Africa to China were Gold ($8.85B), Diamonds ($3.36B), and Platinum ($1.83B). During the last 27 years the exports of South Africa to China have increased at an annualized rate of 16.1%, from $412M in 1995 to $23.4B in 2022.

In 2022, China exported $23.5B to South Africa. The main products exported from China to South Africa were Broadcasting Equipment ($1.78B), Computers ($1.04B), and Electric Batteries ($777M). During the last 27 years the exports of China to South Africa have increased at an annualized rate of 14.3%, from $635M in 1995 to $23.5B in 2022.

Exports from South Africa (Flag) to China (Flag) (2022)

Exports from China (Flag) to South Africa (Flag) (2022)

Market Competitiveness

Color
South Africa
Top DestinationChina$23.4B
China
Top DestinationUnited States$551B

This map shows whether countries import more from South Africa or China. Each country is colored based on the difference in imports they receive from South Africa and China or the difference in the growth in imports.

In 2021, countries that imported more from South Africa than China were Botswana ($4.74B), Namibia ($3.3B), and Mozambique ($5.43B).

In 2021, countries that imported more from China than South Africa were United States ($551B), Hong Kong ($276B), and Japan ($178B).

Difference in imports from China (Flag) and South Africa (Flag) (2022)

Comparative Advantage South Africa - China

Flow
Scale

This chart compares trade between South Africa and China by product, considering products traded by both, South Africa and China.

During 2022, South Africa had a large net trade with China in the exports of Precious Metals ($14.1B), Mineral Products ($5.62B), and Metals ($2.26B).

During 2022, China had a large net trade with South Africa in the exports of Machines ($9.65B), Metals ($2.46B), and Textiles ($2.1B).

Economic Complexity

Competitive Landscape

This visualization show the product space at the HS4 level colored from blue to yellow.  This mean that the more blue a dot/product is, the more South Africa has comparative advantage over China. Similarly, the more yellow a dot/product is, the more China has comparative advantage over South Africa.

Product Space of South Africa (Flag) and China (Flag) (2022)

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