The production in more than 40 percent of all industrial sectors increased in February compared to the same month a year earlier. Among the eight largest sectors, the repair and installation of machinery saw the largest increase, while the transport equipment industry again recorded the largest decline.

For assessing the short-term development of production, it is best to look at figures adjusted for seasonal and calendar effects. From January to February, production increased by 1.2 percent. The seasonally and calendar-adjusted production typically fluctuates significantly. Declines and increases follow each other quickly. In May 2020, industrial production hit a low point. A rising trend began until May 2022, after which the trend reversed.

Industrial producers were slightly more negative in March than in February. This is because manufacturers were more negative about inventories of finished products and order positions. Germany is an important market for the Dutch industry. The confidence of German producers was less negative in March than in February (Eurostat). The calendar-adjusted production of the German industry was 4.1 percent lower in February than a year earlier. Compared to January, German production decreased by 0.6 percent (Destatis).