27 April 2018

2018- n° 116

In February 2018, the turnover in the manufacturing industry fell (−0.8%) Turnover in industry and construction - February 2018

In February 2018, the turnover fell in the manufacturing industry (−0.8%) after a stability in January. It also declined slightly in industry as a whole (−0.3%) after a virtual stability in January.

Export turnover also fell (−1.6%) after a stability in January.

The turnover increased slightly over the last three months in the manufacturing industry (+0.2%), as well as in industry as a whole (+0.3%). Within manufacturing, the turnover rose strongly in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (+8.3%). It grew moderately in “other manufacturing” (+0.4%). Converserly, it declined in the manufacture of transport equipment (−2.0%) and in the manufacture of food products and beverages (−0.2%). It was vitually stable in the machinery and equipment goods.

The turnover grew sharply compared to the same three months of the previous year in the manufacturing industry (+4.5%) and in industry as a whole (+4.5%). Over this period, the turnover rose strongly in every main sectors of the manufacturing industry − “other manufacturing” (+5.0%), the manufacture of food products and beverages (+3.1%), the manufacture of transport equipment (+3.6%), the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (+9.6%) and the machinery and equipment sector (+4.2%).

The turnover in “other manufacturing” fell back sharply in February (−1.6% after +0.4% in January) with a decrease in every main subsector. The fall was particularly significant in the manufacture of chemicals and chemical products (−3.2% after +0.9%), in the manufacture of basic metals and fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipement (−2.3% after +2.0%) and in the manufacture of rubber and plastic products (−1.1% after +0.6%).

Export sales in “other manufacturing” also fell back (−3.8% after +2.2%).

The turnover in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products contracted sharply in February (−3.7% after +4.9% in January).

In February, the turnover in the manufacture of transport equipment recovered slightly (+0.4% after −4.6%). It rebounded in the manufacture of other transport equipment (+1.6% after −9.5%). Converserly, it contracted in the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers (−1.0% after +1.0%).

In February, the turnover fell again in export sales but less than in January (−0.8% after −3.7%).

In February, the turnover in machinery and equipment was virtually stable (+0.1%) after a stability in January. It fell back in the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products (−1.1%) whereas it rose in the manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. (+0.6%) and in the manufacture of electrical equipment (+0.7%).

The export sales in machinery and equipment recovered (+0.9% after −0.5%).

The turnover in the manufacture of food products and beverages was stable in February after an increase of 1.8% in January. It rose in export (+0.9% after +0.5%).

The variation of the turnover index in January 2018 has been raised by 0.3 points in the manufacturing industry (stability instead of −0.4% in previous publication) as well as in industry as a whole (+0.1% instead of −0.2%).