South Africa: Growth in manufacturing output quickens in December
According to a preliminary estimate released by the Statistical Institute on 8 February, year-on-year manufacturing production expanded 2.0% in December, coming in above the revised 1.5% increase in November (previously reported: +1.7% year-on-year). The print reflected expansions in key components of the index including in the production of petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products; and basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery.
In month-on-month terms, manufacturing production expanded 1.1% in December, matching the print observed in November. Lastly, annual average industrial production was minus 0.6% in December, an improvement from November’s minus 0.9% reading.