Exports of American passenger cars to South Africa were way down in 2006 as the U.S. imports more South African precious metals, diamonds and base metals like zinc.
With a population of some 45 million, South Africa exported US$7.5 billion worth of merchandise to the United States in 2006, up 27.9% from 2005 and up 86.5% since 2002.
South African imports from the U.S. rose 14.2% to $4.5 billion in 2006, up 76.7% since 2002.
In terms of the merchandise flow between the two countries, America’s trade deficit with South Africa was $3.1 billion in 2006, up 103% from 2002. The U.S. trade deficit with South Africa increased 54.8% in 2006 – up from the 28.5% deficit decrease in 2005 from the year earlier.
South African Exports to U.S.
Of the $7.5 billion in American imports from South Africa in 2006, the following product categories had the highest values.
Precious metals (other than gold) …US$2.7 billion (35.8% of South African to U.S. exports, up 44.5% from 2005)
Automotive parts & accessories … $321.9 million (4.3%, up 33.9%)
New & used passenger cars … $320.7 million (4.3%, up 165.8%)
Miscellaneous non-ferrous metals … $315.2 million (4.2%, up 13.4%)
Semi-finished iron & steel mill products … $287 million (3.8%, up 79.5%)
Industrial organic chemicals … $248.2 million (3.3%, up 1.7%)
Items returned to U.S. then reimported … $108.6 million (1.4%, down 7.9%).
Fastest-Growing South African Exports to U.S.
Below are American imports from South Africa in 2006 with the highest percentage sales increases from 2005.
Paper products … US$7.9 million (up 8,096% from 2005)
Zinc … $2.6 million (up 298%)
Food & tobacco processing machinery … $4 million (up 297%)
New & used passenger cars … $320.7 million (up 166%)
Other petroleum products … $67.8 million (up 159%).
South African Imports from U.S.
Of the $4.5 billion in American exports to South Africa in 2006, the following product categories had the highest values.
New & used passenger cars … US$220.9 million (5% of South African from U.S. imports, down 55.7% from 2005)
Excavating machinery … $218.4 million (4.9%, up 35.2%)
Organic chemicals … $186.3 million (4.2%, up 36.7%)
Minimum value shipments … $183.5 million (4.1%, up 14.7%)
Telecommunications equipment … $168.8 million (3.8%, up 29.8%)
Other petroleum products… $161.3 million (3.6%, up 32.1%)
Civilian aircraft … $160 million (3.6%, up 25.4%)
Materials handling equipment … $158.4 million (3.6%, up 62%)
Trucks, buses & special purpose vehicles … $153.1 million (3.4%, up 22.8%)
Other industrial machines … $136 million (3%, up 6.9%).
Fastest-Growing South African Imports from U.S.
Below are American exports to South Africa in 2006 with the highest percentage sales increases from 2005.
Fuel oil … US$19 million (up from nil in 2005)
Coal … $6.9 million (up 4,969%)
Sorghum, barley & oats … $4 million (up 1,433%)
Corn … $5.6 million (up 1,353%)
Steelmaking materials … $1.7 million (up 1,031%).
Sources for this Article
This article presents independent calculations and insights based on data drawn from the CIA World Factbook and the U.S. Census Bureau – Foreign Trade Statistics.
The copyright of the article Top South African Exports & Import in Import/Export is owned by Daniel Workman. Permission to republish Top South African Exports & Import must be granted by the author in writing.