Johannesburg - South Africa's manufacturing production fell by 1.4 percent year-on-year in May after a revised 2.1 percent contraction in April, Statistics South Africa said on Thursday.
Food and beverages gained 2.1% year-on-year, but dropped 0.7% month-on-month and a full percentage point over the last quarter. Textiles and clothing gained 2% year-on-year, but this growth slowed to 0.8% in the last quarter.
Wood, wood products and paper declined 0.4% year-on-year, but have recently moved into positive territory, gaining 0.8% on the previous quarter.
Petroleum and chemicals lost 4.6% year-on-year, and 1.8% quarter-on-quarter while glass and non-metallic production dropped 0.7% year-on-year.
Basic iron and steel declined 5.8 year-on-year and 1.9% quarter-on-quarter, while electrical machinery gained 3.5% year-on-year and lost 5% quarter-on-quarter.
Radio, TV and communications was the biggest loser, dropping 13.3 over the year before recovering to gain 7.3% quarter-on-quarter.
Motor vehicles grew 7.9% and gained 6.1% over the previous quarter.
Reuters & IOL