Year-on-year manufacturing output down in August
According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the average daily output generated by Dutch manufacturing industry was down by 0.6 percent in August 2015 from the same month last year. This is mainly due to the production decline in machinery manufacturing. Manufacturing output still suffers the effects from a major closedown in the tobacco industry. If this is not taken into account, manufacturing output would probably have grown.
Output transport equipment sector up, output sector machinery manufacturing down
Output generated by the sector transport equipment was more than 8 percent up from August 2014. The production of rubber and plastic products grew by more than 6 percent. The production of metal, electrotechnical and food products was also up from twelve months previously.
Production generated by the machinery industry, on the other hand, fell by nearly 9 percent relative to August 2014. This is mainly due to fewer outstanding orders in the sector machinery manufacturing. The production of chemical and pharmaceutical products was also lower than in August last year.
Altogether, the branches referred to in the above graph cover about 70 percent of total manufacturing output.
Manufacturing output varies considerably
Figures adjusted for seasonal variation and calendar effects provide a more reliable picture of short-term output developments. In August 2015, manufacturing output fell by 1.6 percent compared to July.
Manufacturing output adjusted for seasonal variation shows an irregular pattern with many ups and downs and there is no obvious short-term trend.
Positive mood prevails among Dutch manufacturers in September
The mood among Dutch manufacturers was slightly more positive in September than in August. Producer confidence is well above its long-term average over the past two decades. The improvement observed in September is largely due to the fact that Dutch manufacturers are more positive about their order books and stocks of finished products. In June, producer confidence reached the highest level in more than four years.
The mood among German manufacturers was less positive in September than in the preceding month. In April, German producer confidence reached the highest level in 2015 so far. Germany is an important foreign market for Dutch manufacturing industry.
Source, StatLine:
For more information on economic indicators, see the Economic Monitor .