According to the preliminary data released by Statistics South Africa (SSA), in September this year the country's manufacturing output fell by 3.3 percent compared to the same month of 2012, while the seasonally adjusted manufacturing production for the three months ended September 2013 is estimated to have decreased by 2.1 percent compared to the previous three months.
The 3.3 percent year-on-year decrease in manufacturing production in September this year was mainly due to lower production in the motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division, according to the SSA. Meanwhile, the production of basic iron and steel products in South Africa decreased by 5.4 percent year on year in September, while the seasonally adjusted production index of basic iron and steel products saw a decline of 1.2 percent compared to August.
For basic iron and steel products, the estimated seasonally adjusted sales of manufactured products (at current prices) in September increased by 6.91 percent month on month, amounting to ZAR 9.36 billion ($ 908.14 million), while the actual sales value of basic iron and steel products rose 22.83 percent year on year.