2020.08.1111:11:00UTC+00South Africa Manufacturing Output Decline Slows In June

South Africa's manufacturing output declined at a softer pace in June as the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown regulations since late March had an extensive impact on economic activity, data from Statistics South Africa showed on Tuesday.

Manufacturing output fell 16.3 percent year-on-year in June, following a 32.4 percent decline in May.

The biggest negative contribution came mainly from basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery, food and beverages motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment, wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing, and furniture and 'other' manufacturing.

On a month-on-month basis, manufacturing output grew 16.8 percent in June but slower than the 30.4 percent rise in the preceding month.

During three months ended in June, manufacturing output fell 30.2 percent, following a 25.4 percent decrease in the preceding period.