Manufacturing output virtually unchanged

Strongest production growth in metal products industry

Output generated by the metal products industry increased by over 9 percent in January relative to the same month in 2018. In addition, production levels in the rubber and plastic, the transport equipment and the electrotechnical products industry were higher than one year previously. On the other hand, the pharmaceutical, chemical, machinery and food products industries saw a decline year-on-year.

Manufacturing output increasing

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, an increase is seen in manufacturing output between December 2018 and January 2019 of 2.8 percent.

Adjusted for seasonal and working-day effects, manufacturing output is seen to fluctuate significantly.

Dutch manufacturers slightly more positive

In February 2019, confidence among Dutch manufacturers increased slightly. The increase can be attributed to more positive opinions on the stocks of finished products.

Germany is an important sales market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. According to the IFO index, confidence fell to its lowest level since May 2016. This was due to both more pessimistic business expectations and less optimistic opinions on the current situation. In January, the average daily output generated by the German manufacturing industry was almost 4 percent down year-on-year.

With effect from the reporting month of October 2018, manufacturing output figures are published using 2015 as the base year (previously 2010=100). Adjustments have also been made to the method used. The results published in this news release may therefore differ from the results as published based on 2010 (2010=100).