Manufacturing production increased by 2.1% year-on-year in October, Statistics South Africa has revealed.
The largest positive contributions were made by the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (7.8% and contributing 1.5 percentage points); and motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment (6% and contributing 0.6 of a percentage point) divisions.
Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production decreased by 0.2% month-on-month in October. This followed month-on-month changes of -0.8% in September and 0.5% in August.
Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production decreased by 0.7% in the three months ended October 31, compared with the previous three months.
Seven of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates over this period. The largest negative contribution was made by the food and beverages division (-3.5% and contributing -0.8 of a percentage point).
Meanwhile, seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales decreased by 0.7% month-on-month in October. This followed month-on-month changes of -0.1% in September and 2.3% in August.
Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased by 3% in the three months ended October 31, compared with the previous three months.
The largest positive contributions were made by the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (10.8% and contributing 2.1 percentage points); and motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment (8.6% and contributing 1.3 percentage points) divisions.