According to the preliminary data released by Statistics South Africa (SSA), in June this year South Africa's manufacturing output increased by 0.5 percent compared to the same month of 2013. The main reasons for the increase included the 3.9 percent increase in output of petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products and the 3.2 percent increase in food and beverages, according to the SSA.

The production of basic iron and steel products in South Africa decreased by 7.6 percent year on year in June, while the seasonally adjusted production index of basic iron and steel products increased by 0.1 percent in the given month compared to May.

For basic iron and steel products, the estimated seasonally adjusted sales of manufactured products (at current prices) in June this year increased by 7.3 percent month on month, amounting to ZAR 10.32 billion ($961.82 million), while the actual sales value of basic iron and steel products increased by 30.8 percent year on year.