According to the preliminary data released by Statistics South Africa (SSA), in November last year South Africa's manufacturing output rose by 0.3 percent compared to the same month of 2012, while the seasonally adjusted manufacturing production for the three-month period ended in November is estimated to have decreased by three percent compared to the previous three months.

One of the main reasons for the 0.3 year-on-year increase in November last year was the 7.2 percent increase in the production of motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment, according to SSA.

The production of basic iron and steel products in South Africa increased by 3.1 percent year on year in November, while the seasonally adjusted production index of basic iron and steel products remained unchanged compared to October. In the first 11 months of 2013, South basic iron and steel products output decreased 2.8 percent year on year.

For basic iron and steel products, the estimated seasonally adjusted sales of manufactured products (at current prices) in November last year decreased by 0.9 percent month on month, amounting to ZAR 8.48 billion ($785.34 million), while the actual sales value of basic iron and steel products rose 4.2 percent year on year.