South Africa-United Arab Emirates Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $8.04B total volume •South Africa deficit: $487.25M
South Africa → United Arab Emirates
$3.77B
Exports (2023)
United Arab Emirates → South Africa
$4.26B
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$487.25M
Deficit for South Africa
Total Trade
$8.04B
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between South Africa and United Arab Emirates. Green line shows exports from South Africa, red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the South Africa-United Arab Emirates commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
South Africa → United Arab Emirates Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
South Africa's export portfolio to United Arab Emirates demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder) representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
United Arab Emirates → South Africa Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
South Africa's import pattern from United Arab Emirates reveals strategic sourcingin petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
South Africa demonstrates competitive strength in exportingmetals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder) to United Arab Emirates, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $8.04B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: South Africa-United Arab Emirates Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $8.04 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: South Africa maintains a deficit of $487.25 million
- Export Focus: South Africa's primary exports include metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder), diamonds: non-industrial, (other than unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted), but not mounted or set, diamonds: non-industrial, unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted, but not mounted or set
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from United Arab Emirates include petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mm, diamonds: non-industrial, (other than unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted), but not mounted or set
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.
Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context
Trade Evolution Timeline
2019-2023: Recent Trends
Current trade volume of $8.04B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.
2015-2019: Growth Period
Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with South Africa leveraging its comparative advantages in metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder).
2010-2015: Foundation Building
Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.
Pre-2010: Early Development
Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.
Key Economic Drivers
Comparative Advantage
South Africa's specialization in metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder)complements United Arab Emirates's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $8.04B bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $8.04B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.
Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook
Economic Impact Assessment
Trade Volume Impact
The $8.04 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder) and petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
South Africa's trade deficit of $487.25 million impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.
Strategic Future Outlook
🚀Growth Opportunities
⚠️Risk Factors
🎯Strategic Recommendations
- Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
- Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
- Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
- Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs
Market Position & Competitive Summary
The bilateral trade relationship between South Africa and United Arab Emirates represents a total trade volume of $8.04 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for South Africa, with imports exceeding exportsby $487.25 million.
Export Strengths
South Africa's exports to United Arab Emirates total $3.77 billion, with competitive advantages in metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder), representing $1.03B or27.2% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from United Arab Emirates amount to $4.26 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, with Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils comprising77.8% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates South Africa's strategic sourcing from United Arab Emirates. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.
Download Bilateral Trade Data
Access detailed trade data between South Africa and United Arab Emirates in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023