Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Zimpapers Business Hub
NATIONAL statistics agency, Zimstat, has said the manufacturing sector capacity utilisation has dropped by 0,2 percent to 47,7 percent during the first quarter of 2025 as compared to 47,9 percent recorded during the same period last year.
Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector, while historically a significant contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), faces challenges.
In 2024, the sector’s performance was at 52,3 percent capacity utilisation, a decrease from 2023 when it was at 53,22 percent.
However, the sector remains diversified and holds potential for investment and expansion.
In its first quarter Business Tendency Survey Report for the manufacturing and mining sectors, Zimstat said the survey was conducted to produce indicators for use in monitoring the current business situation and short-term developments in the manufacturing and mining sectors.
The agency said views on business performance during the first quarter of 2025 and expectations for the second quarter of 2025 were sought from respondents of 370 manufacturing companies and 86 mining companies.
The response rates were 51,2 percent for the manufacturing sector and 65,6 percent for the mining sector, giving a combined response rate of 55,5 percent.
“First quarter 2025 capacity utilisation for the manufacturing sector was 47,7 percent, down from 47,9 percent in fourth quarter 2024,” reads the report.
“For large manufacturing companies, first quarter 2025 capacity utilisation was 53,2 percent, down from the fourth quarter value of 57,9 percent.
“For small and medium companies in the sector, capacity utilisation for the first quarter of 2025 was at 46,6 percent.”
For the mining sector, capacity utilisation for the first quarter 2025 was 55,4 percent, up from 52,7 percent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Sidumisile Mabena