SA June manufacturing production up 0.4%

Manufacturing production increased by 0.4% in June 2013 compared with June 2012‚ data released by Statistics South Africa on Thursday showed. In May 2013 manufacturing production rose by 2.1%.

The June increase was mainly due to higher production in basic iron and steel‚ nonferrous metal products‚ metal products and machinery (6.4% and contributing 1.3 percentage points); food and beverages (4.2% and contributing 0.9 of a percentage point); and textiles‚ clothing‚ leather and footwear (6.1% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point).

The petroleum‚ chemical products‚ rubber and plastic products division (-3.9% and contributing -1.0 percentage point) was a significant negative contributor.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production for the second quarter of 2013 increased by 3.1% compared with the first quarter of 2013. Eight of the 10 manufacturing divisions reported positive growth rates over this period.

The largest positive contributions to the increase of 3.1% were made by basic iron and steel‚ nonferrous metal products‚ metal products and machinery (9.1% and contributing 1.8 percentage points); motor vehicles‚ parts and accessories and other transport equipment (10.5% and contributing 0.9 of a percentage point); food and beverages (1.6% and contributing 0.4 of a percentage point); and glass and nonmetallic mineral products (4.2% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point).

The petroleum‚ chemical products‚ rubber and plastic products division (-1.5% and contributing -0.4 of a percentage point) was a significant negative contributor.