Key findings: P3041.2 - Manufacturing: Production and sales, March 2015

Manufacturing production increased by 3,8% in March 2015 compared with March 2014.

The 3,8% year-on-year increase in manufacturing production in March 2015 was mainly due to higher production in the following divisions:

  • food and beverages (8,2% and contributing 1,9 percentage points);
  • petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (5,5% and contributing 1,2 percentage points); and
  • motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment (13,3% and contributing 1,0 percentage point).

 

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production decreased by 0,6% in the first quarter of 2015 compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. Six of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates over this period.

The largest negative contributions to the decrease of 0,6% were made by the following divisions:

  • petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (-2,6% and contributing -0,6 of a percentage point);
  • radio, television and communication apparatus and professional equipment (-22,0% and contributing -0,4 of a percentage point); and
  • wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (-2,8% and contributing -0,4 of a percentage point).