South Africa's trade surplus widened to ZAR 21.8 billion in September 2025 from a downwardly revised ZAR 2.4 billion in the prior month. It was the largest trade surplus since March this year, as exports soared 9.4% over a month to ZAR 186.4 billion, boosted by precious metals & stones (+34%). Shipments also increased for mineral products (+8%); base metals(+8%) and vehicles & transport equipment (+7%), but fell for vegetable products (-6%). Meanwhile, imports dropped by 2% to ZAR 164.6 billion, on lower purchases of original equipment components (-18%); vegetable products (-20%) and precious metals & stones (-17%).