Manufacturing output remains stable

The average daily output generated by Dutch manufacturing industry in April 2012 was approximately the same as in April 2011. In March, output was nearly 2 percent up from one year previously. Carnival fell in February this year, but last year in March. This may have had an upward effect on output growth in March 2012.

Output growth was unevenly spread across the various sectors of manufacturing industry. With nearly 8 percent, output in the sector food, drinks and tobacco declined dramatically. Such a downturn is quite uncommon in this sector. The sector petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products, on the other hand, realised a substantial output growth of nearly 6 percent.

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-month average compared to the previous two-month average is a more accurate indicator. After correction for seasonal variation and the number of working days, manufacturing output in the period March-April was more than 1 percent up from the period January-February.

Manufacturing output (volume)

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.