Manufacturing output down by 0.5 percent in August

Contraction 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 repair and the installation of machinery. The metal products industry achieved the highest rise in output.

Output increased in August

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 rose by 2.1 percent in August relative to July.

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 is slightly improving in September

Dutch manufacturers were slightly less negative in September than they were in August. They were more positive about expected output.

Germany is an important market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. In September, German business owners were more negative than they were in August, as reported by Eurostat. In August, the calendar-adjusted output generated by the German manufacturing industry was down by 3.0 percent year on year. Relative to July, output rose by 3.4 percent, as reported by Destatis.