31 May 2018

2018- n° 144

In March 2018, the turnover in the manufacturing industry recovered (+0.7%) Turnover in industry and construction - March 2018

In March 2018, the turnover recovered in the manufacturing industry (+0.7%) after a decline in February (−1.0%). It also rebounded in industry as a whole (+1.1% after −0.8%).

Export turnover fell again, less significantly than in February (−0.4% after −1.8%).

The turnover decreased over the first quarter in the manufacturing industry (−0.9%), as well as in industry as a whole (−0.4%). Within manufacturing, the turnover declined in the manufacture of transport equipment (−3.8%), in “other manufacturing” (−0.9%) and in the machinery and equipment goods (−1.2%). Converserly, it rose in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (+4.2%) and in the manufacture of food products and beverages (+0.6%).

The turnover grew sharply compared to the same quarter of the previous year in the manufacturing industry (+2.9%) and in industry as a whole (+3.1%). It rose strongly in every main sectors of the manufacturing industry − “other manufacturing” (+3.1%), the manufacture of food products and beverages (+2.9%), the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (+7.9%), the machinery and equipment sector (+2.4%) and the manufacture of transport equipment (+1.1%).

In March 2018, the turnover in the manufacture of transport equipment rose strongly (+3.2% after +0.2%). It accelerated in the manufacture of other transport equipment (+4.2% after +1.3%). It rebounded in the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers (+2.2% after −0.9%).

The turnover rebounded in export sales (+0.8% after −1.3%).

The turnover in “other manufacturing” recovered in March (+0.6% after −1.8% in February). The rebound was supported by the manufacture of chemicals and chemical products (+2.1% after −3.7%), the manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations (+3.0% after −0.3%) and the manufacture of rubber and plastic products (+0.7% after −1.3%). Converserly, the turnover in other manufacturing, repair and installation of machinery and equipment fell for the fourth consecutive time (−0.7% after −0.9% in February).

In March, the export sales in “other manufacturing” recovered sharply (+1.2% after −3.9%).

The turnover in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products decreased again in March ( −2.2% after −4.2% in February).

In March, the turnover in machinery and equipment decreased again slightly (−0.2% after −0.3% in February). It fell back in the manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. (−1.2% after +0.2%) and in the manufacture of electrical equipment (−0.9% after +0.2%). Converserly, it recovered in the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products (+1.9% after −1.5%).

The export sales in machinery and equipment fell back (−1.5% after +0.7%).

The turnover in the manufacture of food products and beverages was stable in March (after −0.1% in February). It dwindled in export (−1.0% after +0.8%).

The variation of the turnover index in February 2018 has been lowered by 0.2 points in the manufacturing industry (−1.0% instead of −0.8% in previous publication).

It has been lowered by 0.5 points in industry as a whole (−0.8% instead of −0.3%). This revision is mainly due to the integration of late information in the energy sector.