Modest recovery manufacturing output

The average daily output of the Dutch manufacturing industry was 8 percent down in August on August 2008. The decrease was somewhat smaller than in preceding months. Manufacturing output compared with twelve months previously has been decreasing since the summer of 2008.

In the food, drinks and tobacco branch, output was 4 percent up on one year previously. In all other branches, manufacturing output dropped compared with August 2008. The most dramatic reduction - by 39 percent - occurred in the sector producing transport equipment.

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-monthly average compared with the previous two-monthly average is a more accurate indicator. After correction for seasonal variation and the number of working days, manufacturing output in the period July - August was over 1 percent up on the period May - June 2009.

Manufacturing output