Manufacturing output slightly down in July

Strongest production growth in electrical and electronics industry

Of the eight largest industries within manufacturing, the electrical and electronics industry recorded the largest output growth at over 11 percent. Production also increased in the machine, food and transport equipment industry. However, a small majority of the industries saw their output decline.

Slightly downward 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 manufacturing output between June and July 2019 of 0.5 percent.

Adjusted for seasonal and working-day effects, manufacturing output is seen to fluctuate significantly. From mid-2014 until the beginning of 2018, the overall trend was upward. Subsequently, the trend has been slightly downward.

Producer confidence unchanged

Producer confidence among Dutch manufacturers has not changed in August 2019. Manufacturers are more positive about future output.

Germany is an important foreign market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. According to the IFO index, in manufacturing the business climate index has declined again substantially in August. The last time industrial companies demonstrated such pessimism was in the crisis year of 2009. In July, the average daily output generated by the German manufacturing industry was almost 5 percent lower than in the same month last year.