Johannesburg - South Africa turned in a trade deficit in January with a jump in imports, after posting a surplus the month before, official data showed on Friday.
The South African Revenue Service reported the $15.9 deficit (R17.06bn) against a 26.3% increase in imports, while exports improved slightly by 0.1% from December.
The biggest rises in imports were in vehicle components, plastics and rubber.
The rand lost nearly 18% against the dollar last year.
In November, South Africa saw its first surplus in almost two years, following a change in the way the data were calculated.
The South African Revenue Service reported the $15.9 deficit (R17.06bn) against a 26.3% increase in imports, while exports improved slightly by 0.1% from December.
The biggest rises in imports were in vehicle components, plastics and rubber.
The rand lost nearly 18% against the dollar last year.
In November, South Africa saw its first surplus in almost two years, following a change in the way the data were calculated.