Johannesburg - South Africa posted a trade deficit of R302m in May compared with a deficit of R1.9bn in April, the SA Revenue Service (Sars) said on Wednesday.
"The deficit for May 2010 was due to an increase in exports of 6.8% and an increase in imports of 3.1%," Sars said in a statement.
Standard Bank economists had expected a deficit of R2.5bn for May.
Exports for May 2010 totalled R47.18bn, while imports were at R47.48bn.
The cumulative deficit for the year to date was R12.42bn, compared to R19.82bn in 2009, an improvement of 37%, Sars said.
- Sapa
"The deficit for May 2010 was due to an increase in exports of 6.8% and an increase in imports of 3.1%," Sars said in a statement.
Standard Bank economists had expected a deficit of R2.5bn for May.
Exports for May 2010 totalled R47.18bn, while imports were at R47.48bn.
The cumulative deficit for the year to date was R12.42bn, compared to R19.82bn in 2009, an improvement of 37%, Sars said.
- Sapa