Manufacturing output lower in January

After adjustment for working day patterns, Dutch manufacturing production in January 2006 was 0.9 percent down to January 2005. In December 2005 the production was 2.3 percent higher as in December 2004.

In the petroleum, chemicals and rubber industry output increased by almost 2 percent compared to January 2005. In the textile industry production was up by almost 5 percent. In all other branches production dropped.

It is best to use the seasonally adjusted figures to determine short term developments in production. The monthly seasonally adjusted figures show a somewhat erratic course, so the average over two months is compared to the average over the preceding two months.

After adjustment for seasonal effects and working day patterns, manufacturing output rose by 1.6 percent in the period December 2005-January 2006 compared to October-November 2005.

In the year 2005 manufacturing output was about the same as in 2004. Especially in the wood and building materials industry output increased. Output dropped in the metal industry and particularly in the textile industry.

Manufacturing output