BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – Eswatini exported goods worth R2.65 billion to South Africa in August 2026, helping narrow the Kingdom’s trade gap with its largest trading partner by a dramatic 94.3 per cent to just R29.2 million.
The preliminary figures, based on data from the South African Revenue Service (SARS), show that Eswatini’s exports to South Africa increased by 8.2 per cent from R2.452 billion in July to R2.654 billion in August.
At the same time, South Africa’s exports to Eswatini declined by 9.4 per cent, from R2.962 billion in July to R2.683 billion in August.
The result was a trade balance of only R29.2 million in favour of South Africa, compared with R510.1 million in July.
The figures were highlighted by South African price statistics specialist Andrew Rankhumise, who noted that the August preliminary trade data was published by SARS on September 30, 2026. SARS describes its trade statistics as official merchandise trade data covering imports and exports.
Sugar and sugar confectionery were Eswatini’s biggest exports to South Africa during the month, valued at R706.4 million.
They were followed by cosmetics, toiletries and beverage syrup at R507 million, chemical products at R350.4 million, clothing and accessories at R272.6 million, and wood and articles of wood at R237.4 million.
The performance comes against a broader improvement in Eswatini’s export position. The Eswatini Revenue Service reported that total merchandise exports rose 9.38 per cent year-on-year to E3.865 billion in August, while imports fell 3.28 per cent, producing a preliminary monthly trade surplus of E194.1 million.
SACU markets remained particularly important, with Eswatini exports to the customs union rising 15.25 per cent year-on-year to E2.83 billion in August.
The figures therefore point to stronger export earnings and a substantially narrower trade imbalance between Eswatini and South Africa.
