Johannesburg - South Africa's headline producer inflation surprised to the downside in May, slowing to 8.7% year-on-year, from 8.8% in April, Statistics SA said on Thursday.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast PPI would quicken to 9.0% year-on-year.
On a month-on-month basis, factory gate prices fell by 0.2% in May from 1.0% in April and against market expectations for 0.53%.
Stats SA releases five industry-specific producer price indices, with final manufactured goods representing the headline number.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast PPI would quicken to 9.0% year-on-year.
On a month-on-month basis, factory gate prices fell by 0.2% in May from 1.0% in April and against market expectations for 0.53%.
Stats SA releases five industry-specific producer price indices, with final manufactured goods representing the headline number.