The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in South Africa’s import purchases during 2016. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into South Africa.

1. Machinery including computers: US$10.2 billion (13.7% of total imports)

2. Mineral fuels including oil: $10 billion (13.4%)

3. Electrical machinery, equipment: $8.1 billion (10.8%)

4. Vehicles : $5.8 billion (7.7%)

5. Plastics, plastic articles: $2.2 billion (3%)

6. Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $2 billion (2.7%)

7. Pharmaceuticals: $1.9 billion (2.5%)

8. Cereals: $1.4 billion (1.8%)

9. Other chemical goods: $1.4 billion (1.8%)

10. Organic chemicals: $1.2 billion (1.6%)

Fastest-growing among the top 10 categories was cereals which gained 82.5% in value led by imported corn, rice and wheat.

In second place was plastics which appreciated 45.5% over the 7-year period, followed by miscellaneous chemical goods which rose (up 35.9%) and imported vehicles (up 26.3%).

The only declining category was mineral fuels including oil which dropped -26.5% since 2009.