Total turnover in the private sector economy rose by over 8% in the 2013 financial year, Statistics SA (Stats SA) said on Wednesday.

"Turnover was estimated at R7-trillion, the purchases were R4.1-trillion," Stats SA private sector statistics manager Krisseelan Govinden said in Pretoria.

Between 2012 and 2013 total turnover increased 8.9%, from R6.4-trillion to R7-trillion.

"Of the nine industries covered, eight had increases while mining reflected a decrease."

Govinden was releasing the findings of the 2013 annual financial statistics (AFS) survey. It collects a range of financial statistics for enterprises in South Africa's formal business sector.

The purpose of the AFS is to derive a set of measures of industry performance based on information available from financial statements.

The largest increase in turnover, more than 12%, was recorded in the electricity, gas, and water supply sector.

That sector was followed by activities auxiliary to financial intermediation, real estate, and other business services, with an 11.7% increase.

Other increases were recorded in the trade, manufacturing, construction, transport, forestry, and fishing sectors.

A decrease of 1.3% was noted in the mining and quarrying industry.

The AFS 2013 estimates were based on enterprises with financial years ending on any date between July 1, 2012 and June 20, 2013.

The estimates were preliminary and could be revised on the basis of information received by Stats SA.

Capital spending on assets amounted to R417.6-billion in 2013, representing an increase of 8% between 2012 and 2013.

Seven of the nine industries reflected an increase in capital expenditure on assets.

The largest increase was reported in forestry and fishing.