Key findings: P3041.2 - Manufacturing: Production and sales, September 2009

Manufacturing production after seasonal adjustment improved

The seasonally adjusted manufacturing production for the third quarter of 2009 increased by 2,6% compared with the second quarter of 2009. Higher production levels were reported by six of the ten manufacturing divisions during the third quarter of 2009.

The increase was driven mainly by higher production in the basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery division and the motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division (each contributing 0,8 of a percentage point), followed by the food and beverages division and the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division (each contributing 0,7 of a percentage point). However, these increases were partially counteracted by decreases reported by the furniture and other manufacturing division (contributing -0,3 of a percentage point) and the wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing division (contributing -0,2 of a percentage point).

The estimated total value of sales of manufactured products at current prices for the third quarter of 2009 increased by 1,7% (R4 896 million), after seasonal adjustment, compared with the second quarter of 2009. Higher manufacturing sales were reported by six of the ten manufacturing divisions during this period.