Dr Ron Sandrey, a tralac senior research fellow, examines South African Merchandise Trade with China.
This data analysis examines South African imports into China and Chinese imports into South Africa. Data through to December 2005 is sourced from the respective countries using the World Trade Atlas data.
During 2005 imports into China from South Africa totalled some US$3,444 million, a figure that increased by 16.5 per cent from 2004.
In 'real' terms, this represented 0.52 per cent of Chinese global imports, a figure that has been relatively stable over the last ten years.
By commodities, the main imports were iron ores ($967 million), precious metals and stones (($957 million), a particular Chinese classification of 'small lines' ($462 million) and iron and steel ($427 million). The average duty on these imports was calculated to be 3.45 per cent.
South African imports into China are highly concentrated, with the top ten lines at the HS 2 chapter level accounting for 92.5 per cent of the total trade, and in several of the main imports at the more detailed level (precious stones in particular) these imports held a major share in the Chinese market.
Detailed analysis showed that both Australia and Brazil, two countries of potential 'FTA (Free Trade Agreement) defensive interest' into China, are major competitors in several important trade lines.
South Africa is doing relatively well into China, with some 40per cent of the imports (the 'Stars') gaining market share in Chinese imports sectors that are themselves growing.
marketing@alchempro.com
