In Q1 2013, while global demand deteriorated, export demand adressed to business leaders improved slightly : the corresponding balances are very below their long-term average. For Q2 2013, the global and export demand outlook are better oriented.
Production capacity was used in Q1 2013 as the same rate in Q4 2012: the proportion of businesses encountering production bottlenecks is steady but remains above its long-term average.
According to the business leaders, the industrial manpower slowed down in Q1 2013 : the corresponding balance weakened but is very near its long-term average. The industrial manpower could slow down anew in Q2 2013.
Recent changes in demand

Workforce in manufacturing industry

Competitive position

| Balance of opinion, s.a, in % | |||||
| * : Long period average. | |||||
| Source : Quarterly business survey - INSEE | |||||
| Manufacturing industry | MOY* | Jul. 12 | Oct. 12 | Jan. 13 | April 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total demand | |||||
| Recent changes | 0 | –16 | –14 | –18 | –22 |
| Expected change | 1 | –10 | –7 | –7 | –5 |
| Export demand | |||||
| Recent changes | 3 | –5 | –8 | –19 | –15 |
| Expected change | 4 | –7 | –6 | –8 | 2 |
| Production factors | |||||
| Share of firms producing at full capacity (in%) | 22 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 25 |
| Opinion on production capacity | 14 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 23 |
| Productive capacity utilization rate (in %) | 85 | 81 | 80 | 81 | 81 |
| Difficulties of supply and demand | |||||
| Difficulties of supply and demand | 8 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
| Difficulties of supply | 20 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 18 |
| Difficulties of demand | 44 | 43 | 50 | 52 | 47 |
n° 92 - April 23, 2012
Quarterly business survey (goods-producing industries) - April 2013
Next issue July 23, 2013 08:45 - July 2013
Since July 2009, display of the Informations Rapides has changed.