Johannesburg - The trade shortfall unexpectedly widened to R19.05bn in August, the biggest gap in seven months, after a R14.21bn deficit in July, the South African Revenue Service said on Monday.
Exports fell by 7.6% from July to August while imports were down 0.1%.
Economists had expected a R12.5bn deficit in the trade account but the number is volatile and hard to predict.
The cumulative deficit for the year now stands at R107.31bn compared with R69.91bn rand over the same period in 2012.
Exports fell by 7.6% from July to August while imports were down 0.1%.
Economists had expected a R12.5bn deficit in the trade account but the number is volatile and hard to predict.
The cumulative deficit for the year now stands at R107.31bn compared with R69.91bn rand over the same period in 2012.