South Africa’s manufacturing sector showed deeper signs of strain in February 2026, as the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 47.4 from 48.7 in January. The latest reading, updated on 2 March 2026, keeps the index below the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction, underscoring ongoing pressure on factory activity.
The decline from January’s 48.7 suggests that conditions in the sector deteriorated further at the start of the year, with February marking another month of contraction. While details behind the move were not provided, the weaker headline figure points to a more challenging operating environment for South African manufacturers as the first quarter of 2026 progresses.