Key findings: P3041.2 - Manufacturing: Production and sales, February 2009

Manufacturing production declines further

The estimated manufacturing production for February 2009 decreased by 15,0% compared with February 2008. The seasonally adjusted manufacturing production for the three months ended February 2009 decreased by 9,8% compared with the previous three months. Lower production levels were reported by all ten manufacturing divisions during the latest three months. The decrease was driven mainly by lower production in three divisions, namely basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (contributing -3,6 percentage points), motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment (contributing -2,7 percentage points) and petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (contributing -1,6 percentage points).

Manufacturing sales at current prices continue to decrease

Estimated sales of manufacturing production at current prices decreased by 9,2% in February 2009 compared with February 2008