According to the preliminary data released by Statistics South Africa (SSA), in July this year South Africa's manufacturing output decreased by 7.9 percent compared to the same month of 2013. The main reasons for the decrease included the 35.9 percent decrease in output of motor vehicles and the 29 percent decrease in motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment, according to the SSA.
The production of basic iron and steel products in South Africa decreased by 23.5 percent year on year in July, while the seasonally adjusted production index of basic iron and steel products was down 7.6 percent in the given month compared to June.
For basic iron and steel products, the estimated seasonally adjusted sales of manufactured products (at current prices) in July this year decreased by 33.5 percent month on month, amounting to ZAR 7.33 billion ($667.85 million), while the actual sales value of basic iron and steel products decreased by 25.1 percent year on year.
