Producer confidence improves again in October

Producer confidence in October was above the 20-year average of -1.3. Confidence reached an all-time high (10.4) in October 2021 and an all-time low (-31.5) in April 2020.

Improvements across all components

Manufacturers’ expectations regarding output for the next three months were more positive than in September. They were also less negative about their current stocks of finished products and order positions.

One component of producer confidence was positive: more manufacturers expect an increase in output over the next three months than expect a decrease. However, two other components of the indicator were negative. Manufacturers were more likely to indicate a weak order position for the time of year than a strong order position, and more manufacturers described their current stock of finished products as large rather than small.

Producer confidence improves in over half of industrial sectors

Confidence improved in over half of the industrial sectors. Manufacturers in ‘other industries’ (such as repair and installation of machinery and furniture) were the most positive in October. Manufacturers in the electronical and machinery industry were the most negative.

Decrease in capacity utilisation rate

The industrial capacity utilisation rate stood at 77.2 percent at the start of Q4 2025. This is lower than in Q3 (77.7 percent), but higher than in Q4 2024 (77,1 percent).

Manufacturing output in August the same as the previous year

In August 2025, the calendar-adjusted output of the Dutch manufacturing sector was at the same level as in August 2024. Manufacturing output rose by 1.7 percent relative to July, after adjusting for seasonal and calendar effects.