This is better than the 0,3% quarter-on-quarter decrease in July 2009. Five of the ten manufacturing divisions during the latest three months reported higher production levels. This is the first quarter-on-quarter increase since June 2008.

The increase was driven mainly by higher production in the motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division (contributing 0,6 of a percentage point), the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division (contributing 0,6 of a percentage point) and the food and beverages division (contributing 0,4 of a percentage point). The only significant negative contributions were the wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing division (-0,5 of a percentage point) and the furniture and other manufacturing division (-0,3 of a percentage point).

The estimated total value of sales of manufactured products at current prices for the three months ended August 2009 decreased by 1,6% (-R4 505 million), after seasonal adjustment, compared with the previous three months. Eight of the ten manufacturing divisions reported lower manufacturing sales during this period.