Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
THE country’s trade surplus rose 64,5 percent to US$526,5 million in August, 2026 driven by a sharp increase in exports while imports remained largely unchanged.
Presenting the August 2026 External Trade Statistics, Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) Manager for Balance of Payments and Finance Mrs Mable Chimhore said exports increased 14,2 percent to US$1,679 billion, while imports rose marginally by 0,2 percent to US$1,152 billion.
“The resulting trade balance amounted to a surplus of US$526,5 million, a 64,5 percent increase from the July 2026 surplus of US$320 million,” she said.
The increase in exports was largely driven by gold and other mineral products with semi-manufactured gold accounting for 44 percent of total exports valued at US$1,68 billion.
“Among the top ten products exported in August 2026 were semi-manufactured gold, other mineral substances, nes and ores and concentrates accounting for 44 percent, 19,5 percent, and 12 percent of the total value of US$1,68 billion, respectively,” Mrs Chimhore said.
Industrial supplies accounted for 96,3 percent of goods exported during the month, reflecting the dominance of raw and semi-processed commodities in the country’s export basket.
The United Arab Emirates was Zimbabwe’s largest export destination, receiving goods worth US$749,6 million, followed by China with US$540,3 million and South Africa with US$218,3 million.
The three markets accounted for about 90 percent of total exports.
Within SADC, exports amounted to US$278,4 million, with nickel mattes accounting for 48,2 percent, followed by iron and steel products at 9,5 percent, coke and semi-coke of coal at 6,6 percent and other ores and concentrates at 5,4 percent.
Imports, meanwhile, were dominated by industrial supplies, which accounted for 32,6 percent, followed by fuels and lubricants and capital goods at 21,8 percent each.
Mineral fuels, machinery, vehicles and electrical machinery accounted for 22,2 percent, 15,5 percent, 6,8 percent and 4,9 percent of total imports respectively.
South Africa remained the largest source of imports at US$398,6 million, followed by China at US$221,1 million, Bahrain at US$76,2 million and Mozambique at US$51,2 million.
The four countries accounted for 65 percent of Zimbabwe’s total import bill.
Mrs Chimhore said imports from SADC amounted to US$568,2 million while AfCFTA and COMESA imports stood at US$585,7 million and US$103,7 million respectively.
