Manufacturing output up again in April

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© Hollandse Hoogte
According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the average daily output generated by the Dutch manufacturing industry was 2.4 percent up in April 2017 from April 2016. The growth rate was smaller than in March. Over the past nineteen months, manufacturing output has continually been above the level of the same month one year previously. The strongest growth was seen in the machinery industry.

Strongest production growth in machinery industry

Output generated by the machine industry was more than 18 percent up in April 2017 from April last year. Production in the transport equipment, the rubber and plastic products, and the chemical industry saw above-average growth as well. However, output generated by manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, food products, metal products and electrotechnical equipment was down from April 2016.

Average daily output by sector
 % change
Machinery18.1
Transport equipment14.1
Rubber and plastic products4.2
Chemical products3.8
Electrotechnical products-0.7
Metal products-1.6
Food products-3.5
Pharmaceutical products-13.4
Manufacturing (total)2.4


Altogether, the industries referred to in the above graph account for approximately 70 percent of total manufacturing output.

Manufacturing output shows positive trend

A more accurate picture of short-term output developments is obtained when figures are adjusted for seasonal effects and the working-day pattern. After adjustments, an increase is seen in the manufacturing output in April of 0.4 percent on the previous month.

Adjusted for seasonal variation, manufacturing output shows an irregular pattern with many ups and downs, but since mid-2014, the overall trend has been upward.

Manufacturers less confident in May

Confidence among Dutch manufacturers deteriorated in May. Manufacturers are notably less positive about their future output and their order books. In spite of the decline in May, the confidence indicator is still considerably above the level of its long-term average over the past two decades.

Germany is an important foreign market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. Unlike their Dutch colleagues, German manufacturers were more positive in May. They were especially more positive about their future output. Confidence among German manufacturers reached its highest level in almost 6 years. The average daily output generated by the German manufacturing industry was 2.2 percent higher in April 2017 than one year earlier.


The figures in this publication are provisional and can be adjusted.

Sources

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