Slower growth for manufacturing output

The average daily output generated by the Dutch manufacturing industry was 1 percent higher in October 2011 than in October 2010. This was a smaller growth than in September, when output grew by almost 3 percent.

At 12 percent, the largest growth was recorded in the transport equipment sector. Output was also clearly higher in the sector food, drinks and tobacco (+5 percent).  Output generated in the sectors basic metals and electrical engineering and machinery increased slightly. On the other hand, the production level in the petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products was 4 percent below the level of one year previously.

Seasonally adjusted figures provide a more reliable picture of short-term production developments. Monthly figures adjusted for seasonal variation often show a somewhat erratic pattern. Therefore, the two-monthly average compared to 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 September-October was 0.8 percent down on the period July-August.

Manufacturing output (volume)

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.