South Africa's manufacturing production increased by 1.1% year-on-year in July, with the food and beverages and the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division having made the largest positive contributions, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reports.

Food and beverages production increased by 4.1% year-on-year in July, contributing one percentage point to the overall figure, while the production of petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products increased by 3.2% and contributed 0.6 of a percentage point to the overall figure.

The wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing division made the largest negative contribution, with output down 7.3% and the division contributing -0.7 percentage points to the overall figure.

Further, Stats SA notes that seasonally adjusted manufacturing production increased by 2.2% month-on-month in July. This followed month-on-month changes of 0.8% in June and 1.2% in May.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production increased by 1% in the three months ended July, compared with the previous three months. Six of the ten manufacturing divisions reported positive growth rates over this period. 

Petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (2.3% and contributing 0.5 of a percentage point); basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (1.9% and contributing 0.4 of a percentage point); and food and beverages (0.7% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point) made the largest positive contributions.

SALES
Stats SA notes that seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased by 3.9% month-on-month in July. This followed month-on-month changes of -1.5% in June and -1.5% in May.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales were flat in the three months ended July, compared with the previous three months. The largest positive contributions were made by the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division (3.3% and contributing 0.7 of a percentage point) and the motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division (3.9% and contributing 0.5 of a percentage point). The basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery division (-5% and contributing -1 percentage point) was the largest negative contributor.