Producer confidence in March was slightly below the 20-year average of -1.3. It reached an all-time high (10.4) in October 2021 and an all-time low (-31.5) in April 2020.

More negative about stocks of finished products and order positions

Manufacturers’ assessment of current stocks of finished products was more negative. They also were more negative about order positions. However, manufacturers were more positive about expected output for the next three months.

One component indicator was positive: manufacturers who anticipated an increase in output over the next three months outnumbered those expecting a decrease.

Two component indicators were negative. Manufacturers were more likely to indicate that their order position was weak rather than strong for the time of year, and more manufacturers described their current stock of finished products as large rather than small.

Producer confidence negative in almost all industrial sectors

Confidence was negative in almost all industrial sectors. Producers in the paper and printing industries were the most negative of the major sectors.

Manufacturing output up by 0.5 percent in January

In January 2025, the calendar-adjusted output of the Dutch manufacturing sector was 0.5 percent higher than it was in December 2024. After adjustments for seasonal and calendar effects, manufacturing output rose by 1.0 percent relative to December.