Higher turnover in the Dutch manufacturing industry

In January 2005, turnover of the Dutch manufacturing industry was 8 percent higher than in January 2004. The increase was mainly due to higher selling prices. Industrial production in the period December 2004-January 2005 increased by 1.1 percent on October-November 2004 according to the latest preliminary figures by Statistics Netherlands. 

Turnover grows due to higher prices

In January, the Dutch manufacturing industry increased its turnover abroad by 10 percent compared to January 2004. Turnover on the domestic market went up by 5 percent. Total turnover growth in the Dutch manufacturing industry was 8 percent. The main cause of the increase in turnover was that selling prices in January 2005 were on average almost 6 percent higher than in January 2004. The higher selling prices were mainly due to price increases in the oil, chemical and rubber industry and in the metal industry. 

Production increase in December–January

Dutch industry produced 1.1 percent more in the period December 2004-January 2005 than in the period October-November 2004, adjusted for seasonal and working day patterns. In the previous periods production almost continuously dropped. However, it is a bit early to call this a recovery. In recent years there were relatively strong incidental effects in December and January. Production increased primarily in the food, beverages and tobacco industry, in the oil, chemical and rubber industry, and the metal industry. Together these three branches of industry make up 73 percent of value added in the Dutch industry. The production of consumption and investment goods increased in December 2004-January 2005 on October-November 2004. On the other hand, the production of raw materials and semi-manufactured goods fell. Compared with a year earlier production in January, adjusted for working day patterns, was slightly lower. Production in December 2004 was higher.

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