Manufacturing output marginally down

The average daily output generated by Dutch manufacturing industry in May 2012 was 0.5 percent down from May 2011. The modest decrease was preceded by a small increase in April.

Output declined nearly across the board in manufacturing industry In May. Output generated in the sector basic metal products and the sector electro-technical products and machinery declined most notably. Only the sector petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products realised output growth.

Average daily output in manufacturing industry (volume)

Average daily output in manufacturing industry (volume)

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-month average compared to the previous two-month average is a more accurate indicator. After correction for seasonal variation and the number of working days, manufacturing output in the period April-May was more than 1 percent down from the period February-March.

In May 2012, the output level of manufacturing industry was more or less equal to the level reached just before the economic downturn at the end of 2008.

Seasonally adjusted average daily output in manufacturing industry

Seasonally adjusted average daily output in manufacturing industry

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.