Manufacturing output over 2 percent down in June

Strongest production growth in machinery industry

Of the eight largest industries within manufacturing, the machinery industry recorded the largest output growth at nearly 3 percent. Production also increased in the food industry. However, most industries saw their output decline.

Slightly downward 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 May and June 2019 of 0.8 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 slightly downward.

Dutch manufacturers more positive

Producer confidence among Dutch manufacturers improved in July 2019. Manufacturers were mainly less negative about future output and more positive about their stocks.

Germany is an important foreign market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. According to the IFO index, in manufacturing the business climate index took a serious tumble in July. It was the strongest decline since the beginning of 2009. In June, the average daily output generated by the German manufacturing industry was over 6 percent lower than in the same month last year.