Manufacturing production increased by 2.9% in January compared with January 2021, Statistics South Africa reports.

The largest positive contributions were made by the divisions of food and beverages (11.5% and contributing 2.5 percentage points); wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (6.8% and contributing 0.7 of a percentage point) and basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (3.2% and contributing 0.6 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production increased by 1.9% in January compared with December 2021.

This followed month-on-month changes of 2.5% in December 2021 and 4.6% in November 2021.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production increased by 4% in the three months ended January compared with the previous three months.

Nine of the ten manufacturing divisions reported positive growth rates over this period.

The largest positive contributions were made by the divisions of basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (6.3% and contributing 1.3 percentage points); motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment (11.3% and contributing 1.0 percentage point) and petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (3.5% and contributing 0.7 of a percentage point).

SALES

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased by 4.7% in January compared with December 2021.

This followed month-on-month changes of 1.1% in December 2021 and 8.8% in November 2021.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased by 8.1% in the three months ended January compared with the previous three months.

The largest contributions were made by the divisions of motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment (22.7% and contributing 2.5 percentage points); basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (9.5% and contributing 2.3 percentage points) and petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (7.0% and contributing 1.3 percentage points).