Manufacturing output in January over 1 percent higher year on year

• Manufacturing output grew by 1.1 per cent in January, year on year
• Compared to the previous month, output rose by 0.4 percent in January
• Producer confidence more negative in February

In January 2025, the calendar-adjusted output of the Dutch manufacturing sector was 1.1 percent higher than it was in January 2024, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Output was up in half of the underlying sectors. Manufacturing output rose by 0.4 percent in December relative to November.

Growth in half of industrial sectors

Half of the various industrial sectors produced more than they did last year. Of the eight largest industrial sectors, output rose the most sharply in the transport equipment industry, while it fell the most sharply in the chemical industry.

Adjusted output up on December

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 rose by 0.4 percent in January relative to December.

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.

Producer confidence more unfavourable in February

Producer confidence was more unfavourable in February than the previous month. Producer confidence stood at -1.1, down from 0.8 in January. Manufacturers were mainly less positive about their output over the next three months. They were also more negative about their order positions, but they were less negative about their current stocks of finished products.

Producer confidence in January was above the 20-year average of -1.3. Confidence reached an all-time high (10.5) in October 2021 and an all-time low (-31.5) in April 2020.

Manufacturers in the metal industry and the food, beverages and tobacco industry were more negative, in particular. Manufacturers in the electronical and machinery industry were the most positive (5.9), while manufacturers in the textile, clothing and leather industry were the most negative (-7.0).