The total turnover of quarterly financial statistics (QFS) industries¹ in the third quarter of 2021 was estimated at R2 924 111 million (R2,92 trillion), an increase of 0,7% compared with the second quarter of 2021 (R2 903 645 million or R2,90 trillion).

Between the second and third quarters of 2021, turnover increased in seven industries covered by the survey. The largest percentage increase in turnover was recorded in electricity, gas and water supply (+26,0%), followed by construction (+5,4%), transport, storage and communication (+3,6%), trade (+1,9%), manufacturing (+1,7%), real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+1,2%) and community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+0,6%). A decrease was recorded in mining and quarrying (-15,0%).

Total closing inventories at the end of the third quarter of 2021 were estimated at R1 153 326 million, an increase of 1,9% compared with R1 131 717 million at the end of the second quarter of 2021. Increases were recorded for real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+6,1%), manufacturing (+5,9%), electricity, gas and water supply (+4,5%) and construction (+1,2%). Decreases were recorded in mining and quarrying (-3,1%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (-2,9%),  transport, storage and communication (-1,3%) and trade (-0,4%).

Total capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment was estimated at R88 146 million in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 4,1% compared with R84 654 million in the second quarter of 2021. The largest percentage increase was recorded in community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+37,0%), followed by transport, storage and communication (+30,9%), trade (+13,6%) and electricity, gas and water supply (+3,7%). Decreases were recorded for manufacturing (-10,4%), mining and quarrying           (-1,4%), real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (-1,1%) and construction (-0,9%).

Turnover was estimated at R2 924 111 million in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 13,0% compared with R2 587 153 million in the third quarter of 2020. All of the eight industries covered by the survey reflected annual increases. The largest percentage increase in turnover was recorded in real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+25,7%), followed by electricity, gas and water supply (+20,5%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+20,1%), mining and quarrying (+15,6%), trade (+14,9%), transport, storage and communication (+7,1%), manufacturing (+5,6%) and construction (+5,3%).