South Africa's manufacturing production decreased by 6.3% year-on-year in April. The largest negative contributions were made by the food and beverage; basic iron and steel, nonferrous metal products, metal product and machinery; motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment; and petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products sectors.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production, however, increased by 1.9% month-on-month in April. This followed month-on-month changes of -2.5% in March and 0% in February.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production decreased by 1.4% in the three months ended April, compared with the previous three months. Seven of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates over this period. 

The largest negative contributions were reported for the food and beverages and the furniture and ‘other’ manufacturing divisions.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales decreased by 0.7% in April, compared with March. This followed month-on-month changes of -0.4% in March and 0% in February.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales decreased by 0.3% in the three months ended April, compared with the previous three months. The largest negative contribution was made by the basic iron and steel, nonferrous metal products, metal products and machinery division. 

The largest positive contribution was reported for the motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division.