Manufacturing output almost 6 percent up in August

Growth in half of industries

In August, half of all manufacturing industries saw their output increase on an annual basis. The highest growth among the larger industries was achieved by the machinery and transport equipment industry. In August 2021, however, a number of factories in the transport equipment industry were forced to halt production temporarily because of a chip shortage.

Output at high level

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 decrease of 1.2 percent is seen in manufacturing output from July to August.

Adjusted for seasonal and working-day effects, manufacturing output is seen to fluctuate significantly. In the spring of 2020, output declined rapidly and a low point was reached in May 2020. After that, output picked up again. Although output decreased in August, the level remained high.

Manufacturers again less optimistic

In September 2022, the mood among Dutch manufacturers is less positive for the second consecutive month. This is mainly due to the fact that manufacturers are less positive about their order positions.

Germany is an important market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. In September, German producer confidence according to the Business Climate Index of the IFO Institute deteriorated. Companies are less optimistic about the current situation and more pessimistic about the coming six months. In August, the average daily output generated by the German manufacturing industry increased by 3 percent year on year, as reported by Destatis.