Production: results for April 2024

Manufacturing production increased by 5,3% in April 2024 compared with April 2023. The following divisions made the largest positive contributions:

·        petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (5,1% and contributing 1,1 percentage points);

·        wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (9,9% and contributing 0,9 of a percentage point);

·        basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (4,1% and contributing 0,9 of a percentage point);

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

·        motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment (6,5% and contributing 0,6 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production increased by 5,2% in April 2024 compared with March 2024. This followed month-on-month changes of -2,5% in March 2024 and -0,6% in February 2024.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production decreased by 0,5% in the three months ended April 2024 compared with the previous three months. Six of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates over this period.

The following divisions made the largest negative contributions:

·        motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment (-9,1% and contributing -0,9 of a percentage point); and

·        textiles, clothing, leather and footwear (-5,1% and contributing -0,2 of a percentage point).

The largest positive contributions were made by the following divisions:

·        food and beverages (2,4% and contributing 0,5 of a percentage point); and

·        petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (1,3% and contributing 0,3 of a percentage point).

Sales: results for April 2024

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased by 5,6% in April 2024 compared with March 2024. This followed month-on-month changes of -2,2% in March 2024 and 0,9% in February 2024.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased by 1,1% in the three months ended April 2024 compared with the previous three months. The largest positive contributions were made by the following divisions:

·        food and beverages (4,7% and contributing 1,1 percentage points); and

·        petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (5,0% and contributing 1,0 percentage point).