South Africa Manufacturing Production1974-2020 Data | 2021-2023 Forecast | Calendar

South Africa's manufacturing production rose 1.8% year-on-year in December of 2020, following an upwardly revised 4.1% slump in the prior month and against market expectations of a 1.3% fall. It was the first increase in manufacturing activity since May of 2019, mainly boosted by production of food & beverages (6.4% vs -4.1% in November); motor vehicles, parts, accessories and other transport equipment (18.1% vs 6.4%); basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (3.6% vs -5.1%) and wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (3.7% vs -1.9%). In 2020, manufacturing output plunged 11% over a year earlier. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, manufacturing output went down 0.1%, following a downwardly revised 0.6% decrease and compared with market consensus of a 0.6% fall.

South Africa's manufacturing production slumped 3.5% year-on-year in November of 2020, slightly faster than a 3.4% fall in the previous month and compared with market expectations of a 1.5% decrease. It was the 18th straight month of declines in factory activity and at the quickest pace since August. Production shrank primarily for petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (-9.6% vs -6.8% in October), namely coke, petroleum products and nuclear fuel (-32.3% percent vs -25.7%); food & beverages (-2.9% vs 0.1%); basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (-3.9% vs -5%) and electrical machinery (-4.4% vs -1.4%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, industrial production shrank 1.3%, following an upwardly revised 3.2% increase in the previous month and against market consensus of a 0.9% rise.

South Africa's manufacturing production fell 3.4 percent year-on-year in October of 2020, following a downwardly revised 1.9 percent decrease in September. Output shrank primarily for petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (-6.8 percent vs -0.9 percent in September), namely coke, petroleum products and nuclear fuel (-25.7 percent vs -10.1 percent); motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment (-6.8 percent vs -12.6 percent); basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (-5 percent, the same pace as in September) and textiles, clothing & footwear (-3.3 percent vs 0.8 percent). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, manufacturing output advanced 2.6 percent, following a downwardly revised 2.9 percent rise in the previous month.

South Africa's manufacturing production shrank 2.6% over a year earlier in September of 2020, following an upwardly revised 11.1% plunge in August and compared with market expectations of a 7.4% slump. It was the smallest decline in industrial activity since February, amid the further easing of lockdown restrictions in mid-September. Output fell less for petroleum, chemical products, rubber & plastics (-1.9% vs -6.1% in August); basic iron & steel, non-ferrous metals, metals & machinery (-7.5% vs -11.7%); electrical machinery (-3.2% vs -14.5%) and motor vehicles, parts and accessories & others (-12.7% vs -32.9%). Also, production rebounded for food & beverages (4.2% vs -6%); glass and non-metallic mineral products (2.7% vs -8.1%) and textiles, clothing & footwear (1.9% vs -9.4%). On a monthly basis, industrial production grew 3.2%, after a downwardly revised 3.3% increase in August and beating expectations of a 1.2% rise. In the Q3 of 2020, industrial activity grew 32.9%.