Key findings: P3041.2 - Manufacturing: Production and sales, March 2014

Manufacturing production increased by 0,7% in March 2014 compared with March 2013.

The 0,7% year-on-year increase in manufacturing production in March 2014 was mainly due to higher production in the following divisions:

  • basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (4,6% and contributing 0,9 of a percentage point); and
  • wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (9,8% and contributing 0,9 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production decreased by 1,6% in the first quarter of 2014 compared with the fourth quarter of 2013. Seven of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates over this period.

The largest negative contributions to the decrease of 1,6% were made by the following divisions:

  • petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (-2,7% and contributing -0,6 of a percentage point); and
  • basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (-2,7% and contributing -0,5 of a percentage point)