The agricultural sector is beset by drought, which resulted in a contraction of around 17 per cent in the first two quarters of this year. The mining sector contracted at an annualised rate of 6,8 per cent in the second quarter, and monthly production data indicate that the third quarter is also likely to disappoint.
The manufacturing sector has also experienced two consecutive quarters of contraction, of 2,4 per cent and 6,3 per cent, and the outlook is also constrained although a further contraction is not expected in the third quarter.