Manufacturing output down by 0.5 percent in April

Contraction in more than half of all industrial sectors

More than half of the various industrial sectors produced less than they did one year previously. Of the eight largest sectors, output fell the most sharply in the chemical industry, while it rose the most sharply in the food industry.

Adjusted output decreased in April

A more accurate picture of changes in short-term output is obtained when the figures are adjusted for seasonal effects and the working-day pattern. After adjustment, manufacturing output fell by 1.0 percent in April relative to March.

After adjustments for seasonal and working-day effects, manufacturing output often fluctuates significantly. In the spring of 2020, output declined rapidly, reaching a low point in May 2020. This was followed by an upward trend until May 2022. The trend has reversed since then.

Producer confidence declines further in May

Producer confidence declined further in May. This was mainly because manufacturers were more negative about expected output.

Germany is an important market for the Dutch manufacturing sector. In May, German manufacturers were less negative than they were in April for the fifth consecutive month, as reported by Eurostat. In April, the calendar-adjusted output of the German manufacturing sector was down by 2.5 percent year on year. Relative to March, output fell by 1.8 percent, as reported by Destatis.