Manufacturing output slightly up

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

Output did not improve across all branches in December relative to the same month in 2006. The most substantial increase (over 2 percent) was in the paper and publishing industry. The food, drink and tobacco and metal industry also realised higher outputs. The manufacture of petroleum and chemical products declined marginally compared to one year previously. In wood and building materials and textiles, output was more than 2 percent down on December 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 over 2 percent higher in the period November-December than in the period September-October.

Manufacturing output