Manufacturing Intelligence Spotlight: South Africa

GDP: $524 billion (2010 est.)

GDP growth: 2.8% (2010 est.)

GDP per capita: $10,700 (2010 est.)

Population: 49,004,031 (July 2011 est.) Labour force: 1.242 million (2010 est.)

Industry: liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair

Exports: $85.83 billion (2010 est.)

Exports: gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment

Export partners: China 13.7%, US 10.1%, Japan 8.7%, Germany 7.3%, UK 7.1%, India 4.3% (2010)

Import partners: China 13.4%, Germany 11.2%, US 7%, Saudi Arabia 5.3%, Japan 4.7%, Iran 4.3%, UK 4.3% (2010)

Imports: machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs

Imports: $81.86 billion (2010 est.)

Trade activity with Canada:

Exports to South Africa: $435.2M

Major exports: vegetable products ($39.9M), mineral products ($39.9M), chemicals ($40.8M), machinery and electrical components ($130.8M), vehicles ($30.3M)

Imports from South Africa: $715.9M

Major imports: vegetable products ($82.7M), foodstuffs ($68.9M), precious stones, metals ($171.1M), base metals ($95.8M), machinery and electrical components ($106.7M), vehicles ($69.7M)

Trade Commissioner
Mrs. Gwenaele Coubrough
The High Commission of Canada Trade Office, Johannesburg / Bureau commercial du Haut-commissariat du Canada à Johannesburg
Cradock Place, 1st Floor, 10 Arnold Road, Rosebank , Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
(011-27-11) 442-3130   Fax: (011-27-11) 442-3325
jobrg@international.gc.ca

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Sources: Export Development Canada , Statistics Canada and The CIA World Factbook