According to the preliminary data released by Statistics South Africa (SSA), in October this year the country's manufacturing output rose by 1.5 percent compared to the same month of 2012, while the seasonally adjusted manufacturing production for the three-month period ended in October is estimated to have decreased by 2.5 percent compared to the previous three months.
The 1.5 percent year-on-year increase in manufacturing production in October this year was mainly due to higher production in the divisions such as motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment; basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery, and food and beverages, according to the SSA. Meanwhile, the production of basic iron and steel products in South Africa increased by 2.5 percent year on year in October, while the seasonally adjusted production index of basic iron and steel products saw a decline of 1.6 percent compared to September.
For basic iron and steel products, the estimated seasonally adjusted sales of manufactured products (at current prices) in October decreased by 4.11 percent month on month, amounting to ZAR 8.60 billion ($827.23 million), while the actual sales value of basic iron and steel products rose 10.21 percent year on year.
