Manufacturing output more than 8 percent down in July

Decrease in most industries

Most industries produced less than the same month in the previous year. Among the larger industries, the machinery industry recorded the sharpest decrease. Repair and installation of machinery recorded the largest increase in production.

Output decreased in July

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, manufacturing output fell by 0.6 percent between June and July.

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, until May 2022. The trend has reversed since then.

Manufacturers negative in August

In August, Dutch manufacturers were negative for the first time after 2020. This was mainly due to manufacturers being more negative about expected output over the next three months.

Germany is an important market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. In August, German entrepreneurs again showed lower confidence on balance, according to Eurostat. The average daily output generated by the German manufacturing industry was down by 1.3 percent year on year in July. Relative to June, output fell by 1.8 percent, as reported by Destatis.