Manufacturing output 0.6 percent down in December

Production growth in machinery industry

Of the eight largest industries within manufacturing, only the machinery industry recorded output growth. Most of the other industries saw their output decline.

Trend slightly downward

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, a decrease is seen in manufacturing output between November and December of 1.7 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.

Dutch manufacturers less positive

Producer confidence among Dutch manufacturers has deteriorated in January 2020. Manufacturers were mainly less positive about their order position, but more positive about their future output. Optimism has prevailed among Dutch manufacturers since October 2014.

At the beginning of Q1 2020, the industrial capacity utilisation rate stood at 82.7 percent, the lowest level in three years. The utilisation rate amounted to 84 percent in the previous quarter.

Germany is an important foreign market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. According to the IFO institute, manufacturing is showing signs of recovery. In January, German manufacturers were again less negative compared to the previous month. Capacity utilisation rose from 82.6 percent to 83.1 percent.