Among the larger industries, the chemical industry saw the steepest decrease in production. This data is particularly significant given that manufacturing output had been on a recovery path since May 2020, following a sharp decline in the spring of that year. However, the trend has reversed since May 2022.
After adjusting for seasonal effects and working-day patterns, manufacturing output saw a 1.2 per cent increase between April and May 2023, as per CBS.
Nevertheless, manufacturer sentiment in June reflected a decline for the third consecutive month. The pessimistic outlook is mainly attributed to less confidence in future output and order positions. This trend aligns with sentiment in Germany, a critical market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. German business confidence also decreased in June, as per Eurostat.
However, the German manufacturing industry, which is a key market for the Dutch manufacturing industry, showed an opposite trend, with average daily output increasing by 2 per cent year-on-year in May, according to Destatis.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)