South Africa’s manufacturing production fell 1.7% year-on-year in June 2026, easing from a downwardly revised 4.4% decline in May and remaining in contraction for a third consecutive month. The decline in food and beverages (-3.9% vs -5.8%) and wood, wood products, paper, publishing and printing (-8.9% vs -12.9%) softened. Meanwhile, output rebounded for glass and non-metallic products (1.2% vs -8.3%), basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (0.1% vs -5.8%), and radio, television and communication equipment and professional equipment (3.3% vs -4.5%). Growth in petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastics slowed to 1.2% from 2.3%. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, manufacturing output rose 0.9%, following a revised 1% increase in May. For the first half of the year, output shrank 1.7% compared to a year earlier. source: Statistics South Africa

Industrial Production in South Africa decreased 1.70 percent in June of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Industrial Production in South Africa averaged 0.73 percent from 1974 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 101.30 percent in April of 2021 and a record low of -52.70 percent in April of 2020. This page provides - South Africa Industrial Production - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. South Africa Manufacturing Production - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on August of 2026.

Industrial Production in South Africa decreased 1.70 percent in June of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Industrial Production in South Africa is expected to be -1.20 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Africa Manufacturing Production is projected to trend around 1.60 percent in 2027 and 1.70 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-07-09 11:00 AM
Manufacturing Production YoY
May -4.3% -2.9% -3.2% -1.7%
2026-08-11 11:00 AM
Manufacturing Production YoY
Jun -1.7% -4.4% -2.3%
2026-09-10 11:00 AM
Manufacturing Production YoY
Jul -1.7%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bankruptcies 245.00 225.00 Companies Jun 2026
Changes in Inventories -22424.00 -6246.00 ZAR Million Mar 2026
Electricity Production 18904.00 18642.00 Gigawatt-hour Jun 2026
Gold Production YoY 6.20 -4.40 percent Jun 2026
Manufacturing Production YoY -1.70 -4.30 percent Jun 2026
Manufacturing Production MoM 0.90 1.10 percent Jun 2026
Mining Production YoY -4.00 -5.10 percent Jun 2026


South Africa Manufacturing Production
In South Africa, industrial production measures the output of businesses integrated in the manufacturing sector of the economy.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-1.70 -4.30 101.30 -52.70 1974 - 2026 percent Monthly
2019=100, NSA

News Stream
South Africa Factory Activity Contracts for 3rd Month
South Africa’s manufacturing production fell 1.7% year-on-year in June 2026, easing from a downwardly revised 4.4% decline in May and remaining in contraction for a third consecutive month. The decline in food and beverages (-3.9% vs -5.8%) and wood, wood products, paper, publishing and printing (-8.9% vs -12.9%) softened. Meanwhile, output rebounded for glass and non-metallic products (1.2% vs -8.3%), basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (0.1% vs -5.8%), and radio, television and communication equipment and professional equipment (3.3% vs -4.5%). Growth in petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastics slowed to 1.2% from 2.3%. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, manufacturing output rose 0.9%, following a revised 1% increase in May. For the first half of the year, output shrank 1.7% compared to a year earlier.
2026-08-11
South Africa Factory Output Falls More than Expected
Manufacturing activity in South Africa slipped by 4.3% year-on-year in May 2026, following a 2.9% drop in April and worse than the expected 3.2% decline.The latest data showed the sector remained in contraction for a second consecutive month, with output falling at the fastest pace since April 2025. Among the main contributors to the decline were food and beverages, down 6.4% and subtracting 1.6 percentage points, as well as basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery, which dropped 5.6% and reduced growth by 1.3 percentage points. Output in wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing plunged 11.0%, adding further pressure. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, output rose by 1.1%, after a downwardly revised 2.6% slump in the prior month. Manufacturing production shrank by 1% in the three months ended May 2026 compared with the previous three months.
2026-07-09
South Africa Factory Activity Shrinks the Most in a Year
Manufacturing activity in South Africa dropped by 2.9% year-on-year in April 2026, marking the steepest decline in a year, following an upwardly revised 1.5% increase in the prior month. The downturn was largely driven by basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (-6%); wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (-10%) and motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment (-11%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, output shrank by 2.7%, after an upwardly revised 1.2% rise in the prior month. Manufacturing production fell by 1.3% in the three months ended April 2026 compared with the previous three months.
2026-06-11