Manufacturers less optimistic

The long-term average over the past two decades stands at 0.7. Producer confidence reached an all-time high (12.7) in November 2021 and an all-time low (-28.7) in April 2020.

Manufacturers mainly less positive about future output and stocks

In December, manufacturers are less positive mainly about their future output and their stocks of finished products. Opinions on order positions have deteriorated as well.

Manufacturers’ opinions on two out of the three component indicators are positive. Manufacturers who anticipate output to increase over the next three months outnumber those expecting a decrease. More manufacturers consider their order position to be strong rather than weak, given the time of year.

Manufacturers’ opinions on their stocks of finished products are negative. There are slightly more manufacturers who define their current stocks of finished products as too large rather than too small.

Confidence highest in electrotechnical and machinery industry

As of December, confidence has declined in over half of all manufacturing industries. Confidence has decreased most sharply in the food, beverages and tobacco industry. Just as in the past several months, confidence is highest in the electrotechnical and machinery industry.

Manufacturing output almost 10 percent up in October

In October 2021, the average daily output generated by the Dutch manufacturing industry was up by 9.9 percent relative to October 2020. Output was up by 11.6 percent year-on-year in the previous month.

Producer confidence has improved in Germany

Germany is an important foreign market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. In December, German producer confidence according to the Business Climate Index of the IFO Institute has risen again after falling for five consecutive months. There are more positive expectations on future output despite a somewhat lower assessment of the current output. In October, the average daily output generated by the German manufacturing industry fell by 1.2 percent year-on-year, as reported by Destatis. Relative to October 2019, it was lower by 5.5 percent.