Trade

MBABANE – Eswatini recorded a trade deficit of E98.2 million in August 2025 as exports eased by 3.04 per cent year-on-year to E3.68 billion. Meanwhile, imports remained largely flat at E3.78 billion.

This is according to the latest monthly merchandise trade statistics from the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) for August 2025.

The August figures mark a reversal from the surplus recorded in July when the country registered a positive trade balance of E173.9 million.

Basis On a year-to-date (April–August 2025/26) basis, exports grew by 3.03 per cent to E17.76 billion, while imports rose by a faster 4.92 per cent to E18.10 billion, resulting in a cumulative deficit of E341.7 million. ERS attributed the dip in export performance to weaker external demand and moderate declines in key product categories, notably chemical products, textiles and mineral commodities.

While the kingdom continues to sustain strong trade relations with its Southern African Customs Union (SACU) partners, the August slowdown reflects both seasonal fluctuations and lower output in certain export-oriented industries.

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Export composition: Food, chemicals and wood dominate

MBABANE - The August trade data shows that pre[1]pared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits and tobacco products remained the largest export category, amounting to E1.17 billion, up 14.3 per cent from August 2024.

These include sugar, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, key staples of Eswatini’s agro-industrial output.

The products of chemical and allied industries category ranked second, valued at E1.33 billion, though this represented a 19.9 per cent year[1]on-year contraction due to reduced exports of soap, detergents and pharmaceutical inputs.

Exports of wood and wood articles rose sharply to E303.7 million, reflecting the strong performance of the forestry and timber-processing sector, which has been expanding capacity and diversifying export markets.

Substantial growth was also seen in pulp and paper products, which surged to E183.2 million, an impressive 365 per cent increase compared to August last year, driven by higher demand in regional markets for packaging materials.

Conversely, exports of mineral products fell by 63.8 per cent to E48.5 million, indicating weaker coal and quarry exports following reduced orders from South African buyers.

On the import side, Eswatini sourced goods worth E3.78 billion in August 2025, a marginal 0.12 per cent increase year-on-year. Imports from Africa, primarily from South Africa, accounted for the bulk of inflows-E2.79 billion, representing 73.7 per cent of total imports.

Asia supplied E578.9 million worth of goods (up 4.8 per cent), led by machinery, electronics and manufactured textiles. Imports from Europe also rose significantly by 18.9 per cent to E323.3 million, while those from North America declined by 25.5 per cent to E73.4 million.

ERS data reveals that mineral products, including fuels and petroleum derivatives, were the largest import category at E855.2 million, rising by 13.3 per cent year-on-year.

This uptick reflects both higher global oil prices and steady domestic energy demand.

Imports of chemical and allied products followed at E547.1 million, slightly down 2.8 per cent compared to last year, while prepared foodstuffs and beverages climbed 4.1 per cent to E386.7 million.

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Merchandise exports - world zones.