Ezulwini – Eswatini recorded a preliminary merchandise trade surplus of E194.09 million in August 2026, as stronger exports coincided with a decline in imports, according to the latest statistics released by the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS).
The figures, released on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, show that the Kingdom exported goods worth E3.86 billion during the month, compared with imports valued at E3.67 billion. The trade figures include commerce between Eswatini and other members of the Southern African Customs Union, namely Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa.
The August surplus marks a turnaround from the E261.94 million merchandise trade deficit recorded in August 2025 and the revised E253.74 million deficit recorded in July 2026.
According to the ERS, merchandise exports rose by E331.43 million, or 9.38 per cent, year on year, from E3.53 billion in August 2025 to E3.86 billion in August 2026.
Imports moved in the opposite direction, falling by E124.60 million, or 3.28 per cent, from E3.80 billion in August 2025 to E3.67 billion.
The revenue authority attributed the growth in exports mainly to increased shipments of concentrates and sugar, while the decline in imports was linked to lower purchases of electrical energy and concentrates.
Aug 2026 Merchandise Trade Statistics
| Aug 2026 (Preliminary) |
Aug 2025 | Jul 2026 (Revised) |
YoY Growth |
YoY % Growth |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports | E3 864 970 305 | E3 533 535 876 | E3 722 402 120 | E331 434 429 | 9.38% |
| Imports | E3 670 878 060 | E3 795 479 840 | E3 976 142 543 | -E124 601 779 | -3.28% |
| Trade Balance |
E194 092 245 | -E261 943 964 | -E253 740 422 |
Africa dominates Eswatini trade
Africa remained Eswatini’s overwhelmingly largest trading zone during August, accounting for 96.14 per cent of the Kingdom’s merchandise exports, valued at E3.72 billion.
The continent also accounted for 72.89 per cent of total merchandise imports, worth E2.68 billion.
Exports to Africa increased by 10.99 per cent compared with August 2025, rising from E3.35 billion to E3.72 billion.
Europe was a distant second destination, accounting for E100.16 million, or 2.59 per cent, of exports. Exports to Europe declined by 4.74 per cent year on year.
North America accounted for E26.77 million, representing 0.69 per cent of exports, while Asia received E22.33 million, equivalent to 0.58 per cent. Oceania accounted for E25,692.
On the import side, Asia supplied E643.98 million worth of merchandise, representing 17.54 per cent of total imports. European imports stood at E252.16 million, or 6.87 per cent, while North America accounted for E82.33 million, or 2.24 per cent.
Imports from Asia increased by 11.21 per cent compared with August 2025, while purchases from North America rose by 12.12 per cent. Imports from Europe fell by 21.99 per cent.
Cumulative Fiscal Year Merchandise Trade Statistics
| Apr – Aug 2026/27 |
Apr – Aug 2025/26 |
YTD Growth |
YTD % Growth |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports | E18 244 630 971 | E17 100 115 252 | E1 144 515 720 | 6.69% |
| Imports | E19 123 019 708 | E18 115 706 042 | E1 007 313 667 | 5.56% |
| Trade Balance | -E878 388 737 | -E1 015 590 790 |
SACU remains central to trade
Trade within the Southern African Customs Union continued to account for a substantial share of Eswatini’s commercial activity.
During August, Eswatini exported E2.83 billion worth of merchandise to SACU markets, an increase of 15.25 per cent from E2.46 billion recorded in August 2025.
Imports from SACU countries amounted to E2.58 billion, down 5.19 per cent from E2.72 billion a year earlier.
This resulted in a SACU trade surplus of E248.27 million in August, compared with a deficit of E267.80 million in the same month of 2025.
The figures show that SACU trade accounted for the majority of Eswatini’s merchandise imports and exports, with South Africa being a key component of the regional trading relationship.
Merchandise Imports – World Zones
| Aug 2026 (Preliminary) |
Aug 2025 | Jul 2026 (Revised) |
YoY % Growth |
Aug 26 Proportion of Trade |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | E2 675 690 578 | E2 801 019 427 | E2 896 774 988 | -4.47% | 72.89% |
| Asia | E643 982 143 | E579 056 836 | E655 667 126 | 11.21% | 17.54% |
| Europe | E252 164 547 | E323 259 460 | E277 004 883 | -21.99% | 6.87% |
| North America |
E82 325 065 | E73 426 780 | E94 003 482 | 12.12% | 2.24% |
| Oceania | E8 046 706 | E9 529 195 | E44 881 794 | -15.56% | 0.22% |
| South America |
E8 663 967 | E9 188 142 | E7 810 269 | -5.70% | 0.24% |
| Antarctica | E5 055 | E0 | E0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| Total | E3 670 878 060 | E3 795 479 840 | E3 976 142 543 | -3.28% | 100.00% |
Five month deficit narrows
Despite the monthly surplus, Eswatini remained in a merchandise trade deficit for the first five months of the 2026/27 fiscal year.
Between April and August 2026, the Kingdom exported E18.24 billion worth of merchandise, representing growth of 6.69 per cent compared with E17.10 billion during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
Imports over the same period reached E19.12 billion, up 5.56 per cent from E18.12 billion.
The resulting cumulative trade deficit stood at E878.39 million, an improvement from the E1.02 billion deficit recorded between April and August 2025.
Africa accounted for E16.99 billion, or 93.15 per cent, of Eswatini’s cumulative exports during the five month period.
Cumulative imports from Africa stood at E13.75 billion, representing 71.91 per cent of total imports.
Europe accounted for 4.84 per cent of cumulative exports and 8.01 per cent of cumulative imports, while Asia represented 0.94 per cent of exports and 17.30 per cent of imports.
Chemicals and food lead exports
The August figures show that products of chemical or allied industries were Eswatini’s largest export category, generating E1.57 billion.
Prepared foodstuffs, beverages and related products generated E1.21 billion, while wood and articles of wood accounted for E278.81 million.
Textiles and textile articles contributed E395.73 million, while machinery and electrical equipment generated E52.30 million.
Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment brought in E44.69 million.
Several export categories recorded substantial year on year increases. Exports of vehicles and associated transport equipment rose by 223.25 per cent, while footwear, headgear and related products increased by 208.84 per cent.
Exports of machinery and electrical equipment rose by 94.31 per cent, mineral products increased by 92.41 per cent and plastics and rubber products grew by 70.07 per cent.
Exports of animal or vegetable fats and oils also increased sharply, rising by 479.39 per cent, although from a relatively small base.
The largest decline was recorded in precious and semi precious stones, precious metals and related products, which fell by 78.78 per cent to E5.95 million.
Mineral products remain major import
Mineral products were the largest import category in August, accounting for E791.76 million, although this was 8.86 per cent lower than the E868.73 million recorded in August 2025.
Products of chemical or allied industries were valued at E515.90 million, while machinery and electrical equipment amounted to E370.61 million.
Prepared foodstuffs, beverages and related products accounted for E366.44 million, followed by vehicles and associated transport equipment at E249.11 million.
Vegetable products accounted for E207.78 million, while base metals and articles of base metal were valued at E212.10 million.
Imports of wood and articles of wood increased by 43.65 per cent year on year to E72.88 million.
Footwear, headgear and related products rose by 38.82 per cent to E46.88 million, while imports of arms and ammunition and related products increased by 499.75 per cent to E1.40 million.
The largest percentage decline among major categories was recorded in optical, photographic, measuring, medical and related equipment, which fell by 24.78 per cent to E28.83 million.
Merchandise Exports – World Zones
| Aug 2026 (Preliminary) |
Aug 2025 | Jul 2026 (Revised) |
YoY % Growth |
Aug 26 Proportion of Trade |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | E3 715 685 018 | E3 347 755 885 | E3 545 763 274 | 10.99% | 96.14% |
| Europe | E100 156 593 | E105 142 363 | E93 229 192 | -4.74% | 2.59% |
| Asia | E22 334 441 | E48 814 644 | E29 509 882 | -54.25% | 0.58% |
| North America |
E26 768 560 | E31 801 803 | E53 866 393 | -15.83% | 0.69% |
| Oceania | E25 692 | E21 181 | E33 379 | 21.30% | 0.00% |
| South America |
E0 | E0 | E0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| Total | E3 864 970 305 | E3 533 535 876 | E3 722 402 120 | 9.38% | 100.00% |
Export growth continues in 2026/27
For the April to August period, mineral products generated E4.09 billion in exports, up 15.07 per cent from the previous year.
Products of chemical or allied industries contributed E2.54 billion, an increase of 1.72 per cent, while machinery and electrical equipment generated E2.11 billion, up 8.35 per cent.
Prepared foodstuffs, beverages and related products accounted for E1.79 billion, while textiles generated E1.52 billion.
Exports of precious and semi precious stones and related products increased by 178.91 per cent to E35.31 million.
Exports of machinery and electrical equipment increased by 8.35 per cent, while wood and wood products rose by 30.21 per cent.
Footwear and related products increased by 7.66 per cent, while vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment grew by 2.48 per cent.
On the import side, mineral products remained the largest category over the five month period at E3.20 billion, representing growth of 16.12 per cent.
Chemical products accounted for E1.29 billion, up 7.21 per cent, while machinery and electrical equipment stood at E1.10 billion, despite a 9.92 per cent decline.
Vehicles and associated transport equipment amounted to E792.95 million, down 12.97 per cent year on year.
The ERS publishes the merchandise trade statistics as part of its monitoring of Eswatini’s trade performance with SACU and other world regions.
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