South Africa (ZAF) and Germany (DEU) Trade | OEC - The Observatory of Economic Complexity

About

South Africa-Germany In 2021, South Africa exported $10.4B to Germany. The main products that South Africa exported to Germany are Cars ($2.86B), Platinum ($1.9B), and Precious Metal Ore ($1.5B). During the last 26 years the exports of South Africa to Germany have increased at an annualized rate of 6.63%, from $1.95B in 1995 to $10.4B in 2021.

In 2021, South Africa did not export any services to Germany.

Germany-South Africa In 2021, Germany exported $8.89B to South Africa. The main products that Germany exported to South Africa were Motor vehicles; parts and accessories (8701 to 8705) ($994M), Cars ($559M), and Precious Metal Compounds ($492M). During the last 26 years the exports of Germany to South Africa have increased at an annualized rate of 3.41%, from $3.72B in 1995 to $8.89B in 2021.

In 2020, Germany exported services to South Africa worth $1.09B, with Royalties and license fees ($349M), Transportation ($306M), and Other business services ($216M) being the largest in terms of value.

Comparison In 2021, South Africa ranked 59 in the Economic Complexity Index (ECI 0.098), and 34 in total exports ($143B). That same year, Germany ranked 5 in the Economic Complexity Index (ECI 1.81), and 3 in total exports ($1.56T).

Latest Trends

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May, 2023

About

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Overview In May 2023, South Africa exported ZAR15.6B and imported ZAR15.3B from Germany, resulting in a positive trade balance of ZAR280M. Between May 2022 and May 2023 the exports of South Africa have decreased by ZAR-159M (-1.01%) from ZAR15.8B to ZAR15.6B, while imports increased by ZAR2.64B (20.8%) from ZAR12.7B to ZAR15.3B.

Trade In May 2023, the top exports of South Africa to Germany were Platinum (ZAR2.12B), Cars (ZAR2B), Precious Metal Ore (ZAR1.65B), Coin (ZAR1.47B), and Centrifuges (ZAR833M). In May 2023 the top imports of South Africa from Germany were Commodities not elsewhere specified (ZAR1.69B), Cars (ZAR945M), Vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins and cultures (ZAR750M), Motor vehicles; parts and accessories (8701... (ZAR345M), and Packaged Medicaments (ZAR245M).

Origins In May 2023 the exports of South Africa were mainly from Port Elizabeth (ZAR4.74B), O.R. Tambo Int Airport (ZAR3.84B), Pretoria (ZAR2.43B), East London (ZAR2.03B), and Cape Town (ZAR655M), while imports destinations were mainly Durban (ZAR4.52B), East London (ZAR3.46B), Port Elizabeth (ZAR2.76B), O.R. Tambo Int Airport (ZAR2.06B), and Pretoria (ZAR1.52B).

Growth In May 2023, the decrease in South Africa's year-by-year exports to Germany was explained primarily by an decrease in product exports in Iron Ore (ZAR-871M or -77.2%), Delivery Trucks (ZAR-151M or -23.4%), and Reaction and Catalytic Products (ZAR-34.9M or -15.8%). In May 2023, the increase in South Africa's year-by-year imports from Germany was explained primarily by an increase in product imports in Vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins and cultures (ZAR700M or 1.41k%), Cars (ZAR415M or 78.2%), and Washing and Bottling Machines (ZAR154M or 943%).

Latest Trade

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Flow

Time Scale

Depth

Value

EXPORT GROWTH (May 2022 - May 2023): ZAR-159M, (-1.01%)

IMPORT GROWTH (May 2022 - May 2023): ZAR2.64B, (20.8%)

MAIN EXPORTER (May 2023): Port Elizabeth, ZAR4.74B

This section shows exports and imports data at subnational level for South Africa. Click any date in the line plot, any subnational region in the geomap or any product to explore the exports or imports behavior of South Africa over time.

To check Germany and South Africa trade dynamics, check the bilateral page.

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Historical Data

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Bilateral Trade by Products

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Depth

Value

Year

In 2021, South Africa exported $10.4B to Germany. The main products exported from South Africa to Germany were Cars ($2.86B), Platinum ($1.9B), and Precious Metal Ore ($1.5B). During the last 26 years the exports of South Africa to Germany have increased at an annualized rate of 6.63%, from $1.95B in 1995 to $10.4B in 2021.

In 2021, Germany exported $8.89B to South Africa. The main products exported from Germany to South Africa were Motor vehicles; parts and accessories (8701 to 8705) ($994M), Cars ($559M), and Precious Metal Compounds ($492M). During the last 26 years the exports of Germany to South Africa have increased at an annualized rate of 3.41%, from $3.72B in 1995 to $8.89B in 2021.

Market Competitiveness

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Color

SectionYear

South Africa
Top Destination: China, $20.6B

Germany
Top Destination: United States, $135B

This map shows whether countries import more from South Africa or Germany. Each country is colored based on the difference in imports they receive from South Africa and Germany or the difference in the growth in imports.

In 2021, countries that imported more from South Africa than Germany were Botswana ($4.47B), Mozambique ($4.23B), and Namibia ($3.43B).

In 2021, countries that imported more from Germany than South Africa were United States ($135B), France ($119B), and China ($121B).

Comparative Advantage South Africa - Germany

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Flow

Scale

Year

This chart compares trade between South Africa and Germany by product, considering products traded by both, South Africa and Germany.

During 2021, South Africa had a large net trade with Germany in the exports of Transportation ($3.52B), Mineral Products ($2.44B), and Precious Metals ($1.99B).

During 2021, Germany had a large net trade with South Africa in the exports of Machines ($2.82B), Transportation ($1.98B), and Chemical Products ($1.75B).

Service Trade

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Bilateral Service Trade

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Deu Year

In 2020, Germany exported services to South Africa worth $1.09B, with Royalties and license fees ($349M), Transportation ($306M), and Other business services ($216M) being the largest in terms of value.

Service trade data is presented based on availability.

Economic Complexity

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Competitive Landscape

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Year

This visualization show the product space at the HS4 level colored from blue to yellow. This mean that the more blue a dot/product is, the more South Africa has comparative advantage over Germany. Similarly, the more yellow a dot/product is, the more Germany has comparative advantage over South Africa.

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Latest Trends

About

Latest Trade

Historical Data

Bilateral Trade by Products

Market Competitiveness

Comparative Advantage South Africa - Germany

Service Trade

Bilateral Service Trade

Economic Complexity

Competitive Landscape

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