Between 2000 and 2007, EU27 exports of goods to South Africa rose from 11.8 billion euro to 20.5 bn, while imports increased from 14.7 bn to 20.9 bn. As a result, the EU27 deficit in trade with South Africa fell from 2.9 bn in 2000 to 0.4 bn in 2007. In 2007, South Africa accounted for around 1.5% of the EU27's external trade in goods, and was the EU27's twelfth most important trading partner.

On the occasion of the European Union - South Africa summit, which will take place on 25 July in Bordeaux, Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, issues data on trade and investments between South Africa and the EU.

Germany and UK largest trading partners of South Africa amongst Member States

Among the EU27 Member States, Germany (7.1 bn euro, 35% of EU27 exports) was by far the largest exporter to South Africa in 2007, followed by the United Kingdom (3.1 bn or 15%). The United Kingdom (6.3 bn or 30%) was the largest importer, followed by Germany (3.6 bn or 17%) and Italy (2.7 bn or 13%). The largest surpluses in trade with South Africa in 2007 were observed in Germany (+3.5 bn) and France (+0.7 bn), and the largest deficits in the United Kingdom (-3.1 bn) and Italy (-1.2 bn).

Trade dominated by manufactured goods

More than half of EU27 exports to South Africa in 2007 were machinery and vehicles, while other manufactured articles accounted for 40% of imports. At the detailed level, the main EU27 exports to South Africa included motor vehicles and parts, mobile phones and medicine, while the main imports included diamonds, coal, platinum and gold.

Nearly 10 bn euro of trade in services between the EU27 and South Africa

In 2006, the EU27 exported 5.3 bn euro of services to South Africa, up from 4.4 bn in 2004 and 5.1 bn in 2005. Imports of services amounted to 4.4 bn in 2006, up from 4.0 bn in 2004 and 4.1 bn in 2005. As a result, the EU27 recorded a surplus of 0.9 bn in trade in services with South Africa in 2006, compared with 0.4 bn in 2004 and 1.0 bn in 2005. South Africa accounted for 1.2% of extra-EU27 trade in services in 2006.

EU27 net investor in South Africa

EU27 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in South Africa rose from 6.0 bn euro in 2004 to 7.4 bn in 2005, then fell to 4.5 bn in 2006, while South African direct investment into the EU27 increased from 0.2 bn in 2004 to 0.4 bn in 2005 and 0.8 bn in 2006.