FX.co ★ South Africa Manufacturing Production Falls Again

South Africa’s manufacturing output fell 4.3% year-on-year in August 2026, following a 1.1% increase in July. The steepest negative contributions came from petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (-5%); motor vehicles, parts and accessories, and other transport equipment (-8.8%); wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (-7%); food and beverages (-3%); and basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (-3%). On a month-on-month basis, manufacturing production declined 3.1%, reversing the 2.2% gain recorded in July.