Small increase in manufacturing output

In April, the average daily output of the Dutch manufacturing industry was 0.4 percent higher than twelve months previously, after a decrease of 0.4 percent in March.

With a drop of over 5 percent, output decreased by most in the textile industry. This sector’s contribution to Dutch manufacturing output is quite modest, however. Also, food processing and the paper and publishing industry generated less output than in April 2007. On the other hand, output did increase in the metal industry, the chemical industry and in manufacturing of wood and building materials.  

Seasonally adjusted figures provide a more reliable picture of short-term production developments. Monthly figures not adjusted for seasonal effects are often somewhat erratic. Therefore, the two-month average compared with the previous two-month average is preferred. After correction for seasonal effects and the number of working days, manufacturing output was over 1 percent down in March-April on the period January-February.

Manufacturing output