Manufacturing output prices almost 5 percent higher in April

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that output prices for products manufactured in the Netherlands were 4.9 percent higher in April 2026, year on year. In March the price increase was 1.4 percent. The rise in output prices is related to the rise in oil prices due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.

Oil price up

Output prices generally track the price of crude oil. In April 2026, a barrel of crude cost almost 87 euros, representing a rise of over 47 percent year on year. In March 2026, the average price of a barrel of North Sea Brent crude stood at 84 euros, up by over 27 percent, year on year.

Prices for petroleum derivatives were up by 48.8 percent in April year on year, compared to 31.6 percent in February. Output prices in the chemical sector also tend to track the price of crude oil (although there is often a lag). In April 2026, output prices for chemical products were 11.6 percent higher than they were in April 2025. In March, they were down by 2.2 percent, year on year.

Manufacturing output prices up on March

Output prices rose by 2.6 percent in April compared to March. On the export markets, prices rose by 2.1 percent, while on the domestic market they were up by 3.4 percent.