Manufacturing output down by over 3 percent in September

Contraction in over half of industrial sectors

More than half of the various industrial sectors produced less than they did one year previously. Of the eight largest sectors, output fell the most sharply in transport equipment sector. The food sector achieved the largest rise in output.

Output decreased in September

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 3.0 percent in September relative to August.

After adjustments 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.

Manufacturers more negative in October

Dutch manufacturers were more negative in October than they were in September. Manufacturers were more negative about expected output, in particular.

Germany is an important market for the Dutch manufacturing sector. In October, German business owners were more negative than they were in September, as reported by Eurostat. In September, the calendar-adjusted output of the German manufacturing sector was down by 5.2 percent year on year. Relative to August output fell by 2.8 percent, as reported by Destatis.