Manufacturing production up 5.3% y/y in April

South Africa’s manufacturing production increased by 5.3% year-on-year in April, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has reported.

Stats SA industry statistics director Nicolai Carson said on June 11 that, out of the ten manufacturing divisions, nine showed positive growth.

The petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products division, alongside the wood, paper, printing and publishing division, emerged as the most significant contributors to this growth, he said.

Manufacturers in the petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products division saw a 5.1% increase in production, while the wood, paper, printing, and publishing division experienced a 9.9% rise year-on-year.

However, not all divisions experienced growth. The furniture and other manufacturing division saw a decline in production, with a decrease of 2.1% year-on-year. However, this division was the sole sector to report a negative growth rate.

On a month-on-month basis, seasonally adjusted manufacturing production surged by 5.2% in April compared with March. This marks the largest monthly increase since August 2021, when production rose by 6.4%.