South Africa's manufacturing production fell 6.3% year-on-year in April 2025, the sixth consecutive monthly contraction and the sharpest drop since March 2024. The downturn was widespread, with sharp declines in food and beverages (-7.6% vs. -1.9%); basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metals and metal machinery (-6.3% vs. 1.1%); motor vehicles, parts and accessories (-13.0% vs. 0.3%); and petroleum, chemicals, rubber and plastics (-4.7% vs. -2.5%). Compared to the previous month, manufacturing production rose by 1.9% in April, the biggest gain in a year, following a 2.5% decline in March. On a quarterly basis, industrial production contracted by 1.4% in the three months to April.