Manufacturing output down by over 1 percent in July

Contraction in nearly half of all industrial sectors

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

Adjusted output decreased in July

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 1.4 percent in July relative to June.

After adjusting 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.

Producers less negative in August

Producer confidence was less negative in August than it was in July. Manufacturers were more positive about expected output for the next three months and less negative about their current stocks and order positions.

Germany is an important market for the Dutch manufacturing sector. In August, German manufacturers were more negative than they were in July, as reported by Eurostat. In July, the calendar-adjusted output of the German manufacturing sector was up by 2.3 percent, year on year. Relative to June, output rose by 2.2 percent, as reported by Destatis.