Again higher turnover in the Dutch manufacturing industry

In February the turnover of the Dutch manufacturing industry was again higher than a year before. Compared to February 2004 turnover was up by 6 percent. The turnover increase is virtually the same as the rise in selling prices. Dutch industrial production increased by 0.5 percent in the period January - February 2005 compared to November - December 2004. It is the second slight increase in a row, according to the latest preliminary figures by Statistics Netherlands. 

More turnover on the export market

The increase in turnover of the Dutch manufacturing industry in February 2005 occurred mainly on the foreign markets, where turnover was up by 9 percent on February 2004. The turnover increase on the domestic market was limited to 1 percent. The total turnover increase of 6 percent is virtually the same as the rise in selling prices. In February 2005 selling prices were on average over 6 percent higher than in February 2004. The higher selling prices are mainly due to price rises in the oil, chemical and rubber industry and the in the metal industry. 

Again slight increase in industrial production

In the period January – February 2005 the seasonally corrected figure for Dutch industrial production increased by 0.5 percent compared to November –December 2004. This is the second slight increase in a row. This increase is partly attributable to the oil, chemical and rubber industry, where production rose by 4.7 percent. The branch accounts for over 20 percent of the total industrial value added. Dutch production of investment goods in January – February 2005 was higher than in the preceding period. On the other hand, production of raw materials and semi-manufactured goods decreased, as did the production of consumer goods. Compared to a year earlier total production in February 2005, corrected for differences in the working day patterns, was virtually unchanged.

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