MANUFACTURING’S PLACE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Manufacturing is the fourth largest industry, contributing around 14 percent to the GDP of the country. The food and beverage division remains the most important sector, contributing around 25 percent to total manufacturing activity. Petroleum and chemical products takes second place while third is iron and steel. Those three industries consist of almost 70 percent of the entire manufacturing industry in South Africa.

In July 2021, manufacturing production within the country reduced 4.1 percent year-on-year, following a downwardly revised 11.9 percent rise in June which defied market expectations of a 3.6 percent increase.