Foreign Trade

Since the end of apartheid foreign trade in South Africa has increased, following the lifting of several sanctions and boycotts which were imposed as a means of ending apartheid.

South Africa is the second largest producer of gold and is the world’s largest producer of chrome, manganese, platinum, vanadium and vermiculite, the second largest producer of ilmenite, palladium, rutile and zirconium. It is also the world’s third largest coal exporter. Although, mining only accounts for 3% of the GDP, down from around 14% in the 1980s. South Africa also has a large agricultural sector and is a net exporter of farming products.

Principal international trading partners of South Africa—besides other African countries—include Germany, the United States, China, Japan, the United Kingdom and Spain. Chief exports include corn, diamonds, fruits, gold, metals and minerals, sugar, and wool. Machinery and transportation equipment make up more than one-third of the value of the country’s imports. Other imports include chemicals, manufactured goods, and petroleum.

State-Owned Enterprises

State-Owned Enterprises

SOEs are responsible for the development of key infrastructure and manufacturing capacity for...

JHB Stock Exchange

JHB Stock Exchange

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is privately owned and funded, and governed by a board of...

Banking Industry

Banking Industry

Banking Industry. South Africa has 31 banking institutions – 10 locally controlled, six...

Exchange Control

Exchange Control

Exchange-control regulations are administered by the South African Reserve Bank on behalf of the...

Livestock

Livestock

Animal production contributes approximately 41% to the country's agricultural GDP. About 500 000...

To Our Newsletter

To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!