Manufacturing output almost 2 percent down in May

Strongest production growth in electrotechnical industry

Of the eight largest industries within manufacturing, the electrical and electronics industry recorded the largest output growth at nearly 8 percent. Production also increased in the transport equipment and chemical products industries. The machinery industry saw the largest output decline.

Stable 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 decline is seen in manufacturing output between April and May 2019 of 0.5 percent. 

Adjusted for seasonal and working-day effects, manufacturing output is seen to fluctuate significantly. From mid-2014 until the beginning of 2018, the overall trend was upward. Subsequently, the trend has been relatively stable.

Dutch manufacturers again less positive

Producer confidence among Dutch manufacturers has deteriorated further in June 2019 to the lowest level in almost three years. Manufacturers are mainly more negative about future output.

Germany is an important foreign market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. According to the IFO indexthe business climate index in manufacturing fell for the tenth consecutive month. In May, average daily output generated by the German manufacturing industry was over 4 percent lower than in the same month last year.