The total turnover of quarterly financial statistics (QFS) industries1 in the first quarter of 2025 was estimated at R3 476 963 million (R3,48 trillion), a decrease of 4,7% compared with the fourth quarter of 2024 (R3 647 303 million or R3,65 trillion).

Between the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, turnover decreased in six industries covered by the survey. The largest percentage decrease in turnover was recorded in mining and quarrying (-7,5%), followed by transport, storage and communication (-5,4%), trade (-5,1%), manufacturing (-4,9%), real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (-4,1%) and electricity, gas and water supply (-0,5%). Increases were recorded in community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+1,4%) and construction (+0,3%).

Total closing inventories at the end of the first quarter of 2025 were estimated at R1 422 749 million, an increase of 0,4% compared with R1 416 697 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024. Increases were recorded in electricity, gas and water supply (+7,1%), construction (+2,6%), manufacturing (+1,8%), mining and quarrying (+1,2%) and real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+0,1%). Decreases were recorded in transport, storage and communication (-10,5%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (-3,0%) and trade (-1,3%).

Turnover was estimated at R3 476 963 million in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 6,0% compared with R3 281 410 million in the first quarter of 2024. Seven of the eight industries covered by the survey reflected annual increases. The largest percentage increase in turnover was recorded in electricity, gas and water supply (+30,5%), followed by construction (+21,2%), real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+7,5%), manufacturing (+6,7%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+5,7%), trade (+5,0%) and mining and quarrying (+0,1%). A decrease was recorded in transport, storage and communication (-2,2%).