08.01.202611:00:00UTC+00South Africa's Manufacturing Production Contracts by 1.1% in November

South Africa’s manufacturing sector experienced a decline in November 2025, as recent data reveals a 1.1% contraction in production compared to the previous month. This marks a significant downturn from October’s minor growth of 1.0%. Updated on January 8, 2026, the figures highlight a challenging period for the industry amid global and domestic economic pressures.

This drop indicates potential underlying issues within the sector, such as decreased demand or supply chain disruptions. Manufacturers and economic analysts now face the task of investigating the reasons behind this downturn and developing strategies to address potential weaknesses moving forward.

The month-over-month comparison illustrates a striking shift from the positive trajectory observed in October, raising concerns over the sector's stability and resilience in the face of existing and emerging economic challenges. As such, stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation to mitigate further contractions in South Africa's manufacturing output.