Despite the current tough economic climate in South Africa, exports have grown by 3 per cent in the second quarter of 2016 compared with the same period in 2015.

This was revealed in the mid-term budget policy statement, tabled by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in parliament on Wednesday.

The growth is supported by manufacturing and mining exports, particularly platinum group metals.

The first half of the year saw a two percentage- point decline in the share of exports to African markets compared with the same period in 2015, reflecting weaker economic conditions in the region.