According to the preliminary data released on May 10 by Statistics South Africa, in the first quarter this year the country's manufacturing output grew by one percent compared to the first quarter of 2011, while the seasonally adjusted manufacturing production for the first quarter of 2012 increased by 1.9 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. Meanwhile, manufacturing production in March this year decreased by 2.7 percent compared to March 2011.
In South Africa, the seasonally adjusted production of basic iron and steel products in March decreased by six percent compared to February. Meanwhile, the seasonally adjusted manufacturing production of basic iron and steel products in the first three months this year increased by 3.8 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.
For basic iron and steel products, the estimated seasonally adjusted sales of manufactured products (at current prices) in March this year decreased by 9.9 percent compared to Febuary, amounting to ZAR 8.55 million ($1.07 million). Statistics South Africa estimates sales worth ZAR 25.66 million ($3.2 million) in the first quarter this year, increasing 1.7 percent compared to January-March 2011.
Meanwhile, in February this year South Africa's utilization of production capacity in the manufacturing of basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products and metal products and machinery was 77.6 percent, increasing 0.9 percent compared to 78.5 percent recorded in February 2011.