Seychelles Sees Mixed Production Performance in Q1 2025 Across Key Sectors
eychelles’ economy kicked off 2025 with a mixed bag of results—some sectors showing resilience, others flashing warning signs—according to the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The Production Indicators Bulletin for Q1 2025 offers a snapshot of the country’s real economy, and if there’s one takeaway, it’s this: growth is not evenly spread.
Construction Gets a Boost
The construction sector led the charge this quarter, with cement imports increasing by 6% compared to Q1 2024. This rise suggests continued infrastructure expansion, possibly driven by both public investments and private development projects.
Manufacturing: A Tale of Two Outcomes
In the world of manufacturing, it’s a split screen. On the bright side, there was a notable increase in local production of certain construction materials such as concrete blocks and corrugated iron sheets. However, beverage manufacturing told a different story. Seybrew and its peers felt the pinch, as soft drink production fell by 10%, while beer output declined by nearly 15%—a sobering indicator for the beverage industry.
Livestock Dips
For the agricultural sector, the news wasn’t great either. Livestock production declined across key categories, including pork and poultry, sparking concerns about food security and the costs of importing more animal products to meet demand.
Energy: A Jolt in the Wrong Direction
Electricity production also slipped by 4.3%, a rare reversal in a typically stable sector. While officials have yet to comment on the causes, the drop raises questions about energy efficiency and future capacity planning, especially as the country pushes toward renewable goals.
Telecommunications: A Surprising Stall
Perhaps the most unexpected turn was in telecommunications, where mobile voice traffic fell by 6.7%. While data usage continues to grow globally, this drop in call volumes might signal shifting habits—or dissatisfaction with current service offerings.
What’s the Big Picture?
The economic terrain in early 2025 appears uneven but not alarming. While Seychelles continues to ride a wave of construction-led momentum, soft spots in agriculture, utilities, and consumer goods manufacturing suggest that not all sectors are keeping pace.
As economists and policymakers dig deeper into these results, one thing is clear: the resilience of the Seychellois economy will depend on diversifying growth and addressing underperforming industries head-on.
With more quarters to come—and an election year unfolding—the pressure is on to keep the economy not just afloat, but thriving.
Let us know: are these numbers what you expected? Is your business or household feeling the impact? Comment and share your thoughts below.
