Manufacturing output also up in February
![](https://cdn.cbs.nl/images/5569514e504c574d505254325537526a734e793762673d3d/900x450.jpg)
Strongest production increase in transport equipment industry
Output generated by the transport equipment industry was 13 percent up in February compared to the same month last year due to increased production of passenger cars. Output generated by the machinery industry was also up more than 12 percent.
Production in the chemical, rubber and plastic products and electrotechnical equipment industries saw above-average growth as well. Output generated by manufacturers of metal products, food products and pharmaceuticals also was up from February 2016.
% change | |
---|---|
Transport equipment | 13 |
Machinery | 12.5 |
Chemical | 10.3 |
Rubber and plastic products | 6.7 |
Electrotechnical products | 6.2 |
Metal products | 3.5 |
Food products | 3.4 |
Pharmaceutical products | 2.3 |
Manufacturing (total) | 5 |
Altogether, the industries referred to in the above graph account for approximately 70 percent of total manufacturing output.
Manufacturing output shows positive trend
A more accurate picture of short-term output developments is obtained when figures are adjusted for seasonal effects and the working-day pattern. After adjustments, a rise is seen in the manufacturing output in February of approximately 2 percent on the previous month. Production in general has been at a historically high level over the past few months.
Adjusted for seasonal variation, manufacturing output shows an irregular pattern with many ups and downs, but since mid-2014, the overall trend has been upward.
Producers more confident again
Confidence among Dutch manufacturers improved further in March; manufacturers are more positive about their future production in particular. Producer confidence has reached its highest level in nine years.
Germany is an important foreign market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. German manufacturers were also more optimistic in March than in February, in particular about future production levels. German producer confidence has reached its highest level in almost six years.
The numbers in this publication are provisional and can be adjusted.
Sources
Related items
- Dossier - Business Cycle