APA-Johannesburg (South Africa) South Africa’s manufacturing sector growth declined by 5.2 percent in February under a barrage of “economic headwinds” triggered by rolling power blackouts, worsening infrastructure and an anticipated slowdown in the global economy, Statistics South Africa head of industry statistics Nicolai Claassen has said.
Claassen said on Tuesday that the decline was driven by slowdowns recorded in the food, beverages, metals and machinery manufacturing sub-sectors.
“South African manufacturing recorded its fourth consecutive month of year-on-year decline, falling by 5.2 percent in February 2023,” Claassen said.
He added: “Eight of the ten manufacturing divisions recorded a decline in activity – led by decreases in food, beverages, metals and machinery.”
However, the two manufacturing divisions that saw a slight rise in production were communications and professional machinery, and the automotive division which saw a one-percent year-on-year rise in activity, the official said.
NM/jn/APA