South Africa's trade balance showed a surplus in June, the South African Revenue Service said on Friday.

The trade balance logged a surplus of ZAR 5.6 billion in June, compared to a deficit of ZAR 0.30 billion in the previous month. Economists had expected a shortfall of ZAR 1.6 billion. A year earlier, the trade surplus amounted to ZAR 3.2 billion.

Exports increased 17.8% on a monthly basis to ZAR 55.6 billion in June, faster than the 6.8% growth in the previous month. Exports of precious and semi-precious stones and metals grew 3% in June from the preceding month, while shipments of mineral products rose 4%. Exports of vehicles, aircraft and vessels climbed 3% and machinery and electrical appliances exports rose 8%.

At the same time, imports rose 5.2% to ZAR 49.9 billion, following a 3.1% rise in May. Imports of textile and textile articles grew 37%, while machinery and electrical appliances increased 8%. But, imports of vehicles, aircraft and vessels slipped 23%.