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

Manufacturing production declines further

The estimated manufacturing production for April 2009 decreased by 21,6% compared with April 2008 as opposed to an 11,1% year-on-year recorded in April 2008. Lower production in April 2009 may be partly attributed to a shorter working month in April 2009 as compared with April 2008 owing to the Easter period that switched from March in 2008 to April in 2009.

This decrease in manufacturing production in April 2009 was mainly due to lower production in the basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery division, followed by motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division and the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division.

 The seasonally adjusted manufacturing production for the three months ended April 2009 decreased by 4,2% compared with the previous three months. Lower production levels were reported by nine of the ten manufacturing divisions during the latest three months.