Further recovery for manufacturing output

The average daily output of the Dutch manufacturing industry was almost 8 percent down in September 2009 on September 2008. The decrease was smaller than in August when manufacturing production fell by 9 percent. Dutch manufacturing output was on average 13 percent down on twelve months previously in the first six months of 2009, but since then the decrease has been smaller each month.

Output fell in all branches of manufacturing compared with September 2008. The most dramatic reduction - by 34 percent - occurred in the sector producing transport equipment. In the food, drinks and tobacco branch and the petroleum, chemical and rubber industry the decrease was approximately 2.5 percent.

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 August - September was almost 2 percent up on the period June - July 2009.

Manufacturing output