Manufacturing output remains stable
The average daily output of the Dutch manufacturing industry was at about the same level in September 2012 as in September 2011. In August, manufacturing output dropped by 0.6 percent.
At 9 percent, the largest decrease was recorded in the transport equipment sector. Output also fell in the sectors electro-technical products and machinery (nearly 5 percent) and basic metals and metal products (more than 3 percent). Output in the sector petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products, on the other hand, was nearly 4 percent up on September 2011.
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 August-September was up by 0.6 percent on the period June-July.
In September 2012, the output level of the manufacturing industry was slightly above the level reached just before the credit crunch at the end of 2008.
Seasonally adjusted average daily output in manufacturing industry
For more information on economic indicators, the reader is referred to the Economic Monitor.