Manufacturing turnover up, output down

Turnover of Dutch manufacturing industry increased again in April 2005 and was 6 percent higher than in April 2004. Higher selling prices accounted for the increase in turnover. In the period March-April 2005 manufacturing output fell by 1.7 percent compared to January-February, as provisional figures issued by Statistics Netherlands show. 

Higher selling prices induce higher turnover

The 6 percent increase in turnover approximates the increase in selling prices. It needs to be borne in mind that April 2005 had one extra working day compared to April last year. Statistics Netherlands estimates the positive effect of the extra working day at 2 percent. Turnover volume was an average 2 percent down on April 2004.

Turnover increase in April 2005 was almost evenly spread across the domestic and foreign market. Turnover of Dutch manufacturing industry on the foreign market was 6 percent higher than in April 2004. Turnover increase on the domestic market was 5 percent. 

Output down again

After correction for seasonal effects, manufacturing output decreased by 1.7 percent in the period March-April 2005 compared to January-February. Output decreased again slightly after a marginal recovery at the end of 2004 and the beginning of 2005. The production of raw materials and semi-fabricated goods as well as investment goods and consumer goods decreased over the period March-April 2005.

In April 2005 manufacturing output decreased, after correction for the working day pattern, compared to April 2004 but the decrease was less sizeable than in March.

PDF contains complete press release including tables and graphics.