Manufacturing output down by 2.5 percent in October

Contraction in two thirds of industrial sectors

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

Output decreased in October

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 0.6 percent in October relative to September.

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 less negative in November

Dutch manufacturers were less negative in November than they were in October; they were more positive about expected output, in particular.

Germany is an important market for the Dutch manufacturing sector. In November, German business owners were also less negative than they were in October, as reported by Eurostat. In October, the calendar-adjusted output of the German manufacturing sector was down by 4.5 percent year on year. Relative to September output fell by 0.4 percent, as reported by Destatis.