Manufacturing output grows by 7 percent

The average daily output of the Dutch manufacturing industry was 7 percent higher in January 2011 than in January 2010. Output growth was about 2 percent up on the previous three months. Output was still slightly below the pre-crisis level.

The increase was observed in a considerable cross-section of the manufacturing industry. Production rose by most in the transport equipment sector: 52 percent. At 21 percent, the increase in manufacturing output in electrical engineering and machinery was also substantially larger than in January 2010. Output levels in basic metals and metal products and in petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products were 6 and 3 percent respectively above the level of January 2010, whereas in food, drinks and tobacco, output was 2 percent below the 2010 level.

Seasonally adjusted figures provide a more reliable picture of short-term production developments. Monthly figures adjusted for seasonal variation often show a somewhat erratic pattern. Therefore, the two-monthly average compared to the previous two-monthly average is a more accurate indicator. After correction for seasonal variation and the number of working days, manufacturing output in the period December 2010 - January 2011 was more than 2 percent up on the period October - November 2010.

Manufacturing output (volume)

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.