Manufacturing output down by over 4 percent in July

Contraction in more than two-thirds of industrial sectors

More than two-thirds 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 transport equipment industry. The food industry achieved the highest rise in output.

Output decreased in July

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. After adjustment, manufacturing output fell by 1.1 percent in July relative to June.

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 improving in August

Dutch manufacturers were less negative in August than they were in July. They were less negative about the order positions and current stock levels, in particular. They were also more positive about expected output for the next three months.

Germany is an important market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. In August, German business owners were more negative than they were in July, as reported by Eurostat. In July, the calendar-adjusted output generated by the German manufacturing industry was down by 5.9 percent year on year. Relative to June, output fell by 3.2 percent, as reported by Destatis.