Mining production increased by 0,6% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the last one of 2025.
Statistics South Africa (StatsSA)said this is due to diamonds, PGMs, gold and chromium ore.
Manufacturing production also increased by 0,9% in March 2026 compared to March 2025.
Nicolai Claassen, Director of Industry Statistics at Stats SA, said the largest positive contributions were made by the food and beverages sector(3,5% and contributing 0,9 of a percentage point), petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (1,8% and contributing 0,4 of a percentage point); and electrical machinery (11,9% and contributing 0,3 of a percentage point).
The largest negative contributor was the wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing division (-8,6% and contributing -0,8 of a percentage point).
Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production increased by 0,8% in March 2026 compared with February 2026.
This followed month-on-month changes of -1,8% in February 2026 and 1,7% in January 2026.
Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased by 1,6% in March 2026 compared with February 2026.
This followed month-on-month changes of 0,1% in February 2026 and 3,1% in January 2026.
The largest negative contributor was the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division (-2,2% and contributing -0,5 of a percentage point).
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