Manufacturing output down by 3.5 percent in April

Decrease in almost half of industrial sectors

Almost half of all industrial sectors produced less than they did one year previously. Among the eight larger industrial sectors, output fell the most sharply in the repair and installation of machinery. The electronic products and electric equipment industry achieved the highest increase.

Output increased in April

A more accurate picture of changes in short-term output is obtained when the figures are adjusted for seasonal effects and the working-day pattern. When these adjustments are made, manufacturing output rose by 0.4 percent in April relative to March.

Adjusted for seasonal and working-day effects, manufacturing output often fluctuates significantly. In the spring of 2020, output declined rapidly, reaching a low point in May 2020. This was followed by an upward trend until May 2022. The trend has reversed since then.

Confidence among manufacturers again less negative

Dutch manufacturers were less negative in May than they were in April. Manufacturers were more positive about expected output, in particular.

Germany is an important market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. In May, German business owners were equally negative as they were in April. In April, the calendar-adjusted output generated by the German manufacturing industry was down by 3.5 percent year on year. Relative to March, output rose by 0.3 percent, as reported by Destatis.