Manufacturing output almost 13 percent up in December

Output growth in two thirds of the industries

In December, around two thirds of all manufacturing industries saw their output increase on an annual basis. With over 48 percent, the machinery industry again achieved the highest growth. In the transport equipment industry, output contracted by almost 12 percent.

Manufacturing output at record level

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 of 1.6 percent is seen in manufacturing output between November and December 2021.

Adjusted for seasonal and working-day effects, manufacturing output is seen to fluctuate significantly. In the spring of 2020, output declined rapidly and a low point was reached in May 2020. After that, output picked up again and in December 2021 it was at its highest level ever.

Manufacturers less optimistic

In January 2022, the mood among Dutch manufacturers was less positive than in the previous month. Nevertheless, producer confidence was still well above its long-term average.

Germany is an important foreign market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. In January, German producer confidence according to the Business Climate Index of the IFO Institute improved. Companies were more satisfied with their current business. They were also more optimistic about the coming months. In December, the average daily output generated by the German manufacturing industry fell by 2 percent year on year, as reported by Destatis.