According to the preliminary data released by Statistics South Africa (SSA), in April this year South Africa's manufacturing output decreased by 1.5 percent compared to the same month of 2013. The main reasons for the decrease included the 13.2 percent decrease in output of motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment and the 5.3 percent decline in output of petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products, according to the SSA.
The production of basic iron and steel products in South Africa decreased by 0.9 percent year on year in April, while the seasonally adjusted production index of basic iron and steel products increased by 8.2 percent in the given month compared to March.
For basic iron and steel products, the estimated seasonally adjusted sales of manufactured products (at current prices) in April this year increased by 19.9 percent month on month, amounting to ZAR 10.05 billion ($938.67 million), while the actual sales value of basic iron and steel products increased by 7.7 percent year on year.
