The total turnover of quarterly financial statistics (QFS) industries¹ in the first quarter of 2021 was estimated at R2 716 696 million (R2,72 trillion), a decrease of 2,4% compared with the fourth quarter of 2020 (R2 783 457 million or R2,78 trillion).

Between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, turnover decreased in six industries covered by the survey. The largest percentage decrease in turnover was recorded in construction (-6,4%), followed by transport, storage and communication (-5,1%), electricity, gas and water supply (-4,4%), manufacturing (-4,0%), trade (-3,8%) and real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (‑0,7%). Increases were recorded in mining and quarrying (+8,4%) and community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+3,1%).

Total closing inventories at the end of the first quarter of 2021 were estimated at R1 088 852 million, an increase of 4,7% compared with R1 039 738 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2020. Increases were recorded for mining and quarrying (+11,2%), manufacturing (+6,1%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+5,7%), construction (+5,5%) and trade (+2,3%). Decreases were recorded in transport, storage and communication (-5,2%), electricity, gas and water supply (-2,6%) and real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (-0,2%).

Total capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment was estimated at R83 982 million in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 0,6% compared with R83 452 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The largest percentage increase was recorded in electricity, gas and water supply (+8,0%), followed by real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+7,2%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+5,4%), transport, storage and communication (+4,1%) and manufacturing (+1,0%). Decreases were recorded for trade (-14,6%), mining and quarrying (-3,6%) and construction (-1,1%).

Turnover was estimated at R2 716 696 million in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 9,7% compared with R2 475 787 million in the first quarter of 2020. Seven of the eight industries covered by the survey reflected annual increases. The largest percentage increase in turnover was recorded in mining and quarrying (+27,9%), followed by real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+17,4%), electricity, gas and water supply (+10,4%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+9,6%), trade (+8,4%), manufacturing (+6,1%) and transport, storage and communication (+2,5%). A decrease was recorded for construction (-1,9%).