Nearly half of all business classes in the industry produced less in July than in the same month a year earlier. Of the eight largest sectors, the production of rubber and plastic products recorded the largest production increase, while the chemical sector again realized the largest decline.
To determine the short-term development of production, it is best to look at seasonally and calendar-adjusted figures. From June to July, production decreased by 1.4 percent.
The seasonally and calendar-adjusted production typically fluctuates significantly. Decreases and increases follow each other quickly. In May 2020, the production of the industry reached a low point. After that, an upward trend was initiated until May 2022. Since then, the trend has reversed.
Manufacturers were less negative in August than a month earlier. They were more positive about expected business activity and less negative about their order portfolio and inventories.
Germany is an important sales market for the Dutch industry. The confidence of German producers was more negative in August than a month earlier (Eurostat). The calendar-adjusted production of the German industry was 2.3 percent higher in July than a year earlier. Compared to June, German production increased by 2.2 percent (Destatis).