Sustained growth manufacturing output
Considerable production growth in transport equipment and electrical appliances industries
Output generated by the transport equipment industry (cars, buses, lorries) grew by 13 percent. The electrical appliances industry realised over 10 percent production growth in February relative to February 2015. Output growth in the food sector and the rubber and plastic industry was also above average, but the production of chemical and metal products was below average. Output generated by the pharmaceutical and machinery industries was also lower compared to February 2015.
| % change | |
|---|---|
| Transport equipment | 13 |
| Electrotechnical products | 10.1 |
| Food products | 2.6 |
| Rubber and plastic products | 2.3 |
| Chemical products | 1.1 |
| Metal products | 0.8 |
| Pharmaceutical products | -5.6 |
| Machinery | -6.5 |
| Manufacturing (total) | 1.7 |
Altogether, the branches referred to in the above graph account for approximately 70 percent of total manufacturing output.
Manufacturing output at highest level in four years
Figures adjusted for seasonal variation and calendar effects provide a more reliable picture of short-term output developments. From January 2016 to February 2016 manufacturing output remained almost unchanged. Adjusted for seasonal variation, manufacturing output reached the highest level in four years, but since mid-2014, the trend has been upward.
Growing confidence Dutch manufacturers in March
A few weeks ago, CBS reported that confidence among Dutch manufacturers had increased in March. The producer confidence indicator rose from 3.1 in February to 3.9 in March. Confidence among manufacturers is well above its long-term average over the past two decades. Since October 2014, optimism has prevailed among Dutch manufacturers.The mood among German manufacturers also improved in March compared to February. The average daily output generated by German manufacturing industry was more than 1 percent higher in February 2016 than in the same month last year. Germany is an important foreign market for Dutch manufacturing industry.