South Africa’s manufacturing production fell 3.5% in September 2026 compared with September 2025, according to results published by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on 10 November. Output in motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment dropped 15.0% year on year.
Four manufacturing divisions accounted for the largest negative contributions to the overall index. Motor vehicles and transport equipment deducted 1.1 percentage points, as did wood, paper, publishing and printing. Furniture and other manufacturing, along with basic metals, metal products and machinery, each subtracted 0.8 percentage point. A sector’s contribution is different from its own production growth rate.
In Physical production, year-on-year %
Source: Statistics South Africa, P3041.2, September 2026 (released 10 November 2026), manufacturing divisions.
| Year-on-year change (%) | |
|---|---|
| Furniture and other manufacturing | -19 |
| Motor vehicles and transport equipment | -15 |
| Wood, paper, publishing and printing | -11.2 |
| Basic metals and machinery | -3.7 |
Furniture output tumbles 19%, wood and paper 11.2%
Furniture and other manufacturing recorded the steepest annual decline among these four divisions, at 19.0%. Output fell 15.0% for motor vehicles, parts and transport equipment, 11.2% for wood, paper, publishing and printing, and 3.7% for basic iron and steel, other metal products and machinery.
The contribution of each division depends on its weight in the index. A sharp decline in a smaller industry does not necessarily exert the biggest drag on total production. Stats SA’s production figures measure physical volumes, not manufacturers’ sales at current prices.
Monthly output flat despite annual decline
On a seasonally adjusted basis, manufacturing production was unchanged between August and September 2026. It had declined 3.0% month on month in August following a 2.1% increase in July. The 3.5% annual fall compares September 2026 with September 2025; the flat monthly reading instead compares September with August 2026.
For the third quarter of 2026, seasonally adjusted manufacturing output rose 0.9% from the second quarter. Five of ten manufacturing divisions expanded. Food and beverages increased 4.9% quarter on quarter and added 1.2 percentage points to the aggregate, while basic metals and machinery grew 1.2% and contributed 0.3 point.
Manufacturing sales fall 2.2% month on month
Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales fell 2.2% in September compared with August, following increases of 1.3% in August and 4.8% in July. Sales rose 3.2% in the third quarter compared with the second quarter, the same release shows.
Motor vehicles and other transport equipment recorded a 10.9% quarterly sales increase, contributing 1.5 percentage points to the overall gain. Petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products were up 4.4%, contributing 1.0 point, while food and beverages grew 3.4%, contributing 0.9 point. Sales measured in value should not be confused with physical production volumes.