Dutch producers more positive than in most EU countries: CBS

Germany was the only major trading partner in the EU with higher producer confidence than the Netherlands. The most negative mood was recorded in Belgium.

Over the past year, confidence declined most significantly among German producers, while the smallest decline was seen in the Netherlands.

More EU producers perceive insufficient demand as the main obstacle in their business operations. In the first quarter (Q1) of 2023, this was stated by on average nearly 20 per cent of EU producers, up from over 13 per cent 12 months before.

Belgian producers cited this obstacle most frequently at over 40 per cent, while German producers cited it least often at just under 14 per cent.

The percentage of producers who see labour shortages as the main obstacle remained virtually unchanged in the EU over the same period. In the Netherlands and Germany, the proportion of producers experiencing this obstacle increased slightly. At almost 28 per cent, the figure for the Netherlands in the first quarter was therefore higher than the EU average of 19 per cent. In Spain and Italy, labour shortages are relatively little perceived as the main constraint in business operations.

European producers saw their competitive position in the global market deteriorate in Q1 2023, CBS said in a release. The balance stood at slightly less than minus 2 per cent in the same quarter a year before, against minus 8 per cent this year.

The Netherlands showed a balanced outcome of optimists and pessimists in terms of global competitiveness. Only in Spain and Italy were producers more positive than in the Netherlands. In France, Germany and especially Belgium, producers were more negative in this respect compared to one year previously.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)