Production: results for February 2024

Manufacturing production increased by 4,1% in February 2024 compared with February 2023. The largest positive contributions were made by the following divisions:

·        wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (14,9% and contributing 1,5 percentage points);

·        food and beverages (5,8% and contributing 1,3 percentage points); and

·        petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (4,7% and contributing 1,0 percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production decreased by 0,3% in February 2024 compared with January 2024. This followed month-on-month changes of 0,4% in January 2024 and -0,6% in December 2023.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production was flat in the three months ended February 2024 compared with the previous three months.

The largest negative contribution was made by the motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division (-11,9% and contributing -1,2 percentage points) and the largest positive contribution was made by the food and beverages division (3,6% and contributing 0,8 of a percentage point).

Sales: results for February 2024

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased by 1,0% in February 2024 compared with January 2024. This followed month-on-month changes of -1,2% in January 2024 and 1,7% in December 2023.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased by 2,2% in the three months ended February 2024 compared with the previous three months. The largest positive contributions were made by the following divisions:

·        food and beverages (4,0% and contributing 0,9 of a percentage point);

·        basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (2,5% and contributing 0,5 of a percentage point); and

·        petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (1,9% and contributing 0,4 of a percentage point).