Manufacturing output slightly up

The average daily output of the Dutch manufacturing industry was almost 2 percent higher in November than twelve months previously. It was slightly higher than in October.

Production was higher in almost all sectors of manufacturing compared with November 2006. The most substantial increase (over 4 percent) was in the chemical industry. The food, drink and tobacco, and wood, construction materials and furniture sectors also did well and performed above average. Growth in the metal industry, on the other hand, was 1 percent lower than in November 2006.

For a more reliable picture of short-term production developments, it is best to look at the production figures after correction for seasonal effects. As monthly figures are often somewhat erratic, the two-month average compared with the previous two-month average is preferred.

After correction for working days and seasonal effects, manufacturing production was slightly higher in the period October-November than in the period August-September.

Manufacturing output