IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Manufacturing production decreased by 2,2% in March 2013 compared with March 2012.

The 2,2% year-on-year decrease in manufacturing production in March 2013 was due to lower production in the following divisions:

• basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (-9,0% and contributing -1,9 percentage points);
• wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (-8,5% and contributing -0,8 of a percentage point); and
• furniture and `other` manufacturing (-10,7% and contributing -0,5 of a percentage point).

Cautionary note:

Note that the Easter weekend fell partly in March and partly in April in 2013, whereas in 2012 it fell in April. This may have adversely affected the performance of manufacturing in March 2013, which should be taken into account in assessing the decrease of 2,2% year-on-year. There were 19 working days in March 2013 compared with 21 working days in March 2012. The seasonally adjusted index declined by 2,5% between February and March 2013, but this change should also be treated with caution. Stats SAs current methodology for the seasonal adjustment of manufacturing does not adjust for shifts in the timing of Easter, so when Easter is spread over the end of March and the beginning of April, it is advisable to consider the two months together (once the April results become available). If the ``Easter effect`` were to be applied partly to March 2013, the month-on-month seasonally adjusted outcome would reflect a stronger performance than indicated here. Note that the actual index (as opposed to the seasonally adjusted index) increased month-on-month in March 2013 (normal seasonal pattern). Stats SA is working on the rollout of an improved seasonal adjustment methodology (already implemented in retail trade) to all its seasonally adjusted series.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production for the first quarter of 2013 decreased by 2,2% compared with the fourth quarter of 2012. Six of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates over this period.

The largest negative contributions to the decrease of 2,2% were made by the following divisions:

• petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (-4,8% and contributing -1,2 percentage points);
• basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (-4,3% and contributing -0,8 of a percentage point);
• wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (-6,6% and contributing -0,7 of a percentage point);
• furniture and `other` manufacturing (-6,8% and contributing -0,3 of a percentage point); and
• radio, television and communication apparatus and professional equipment (-5,3% and contributing -0,1 of a percentage point).