Industrial output fell in April

According to Statistics Finland, industrial output as calculated per working day was 0.7 per cent lower in April than one year previously.

Output in the metal industry went down by almost 12 per cent in the year to April. Within the metal industry, the manufacture of electrical equipment fell by nearly 25 per cent. In contrast, output in the rest of the metal industry grew by almost 5 per cent.

In April, output in the wood and paper industry increased by 21 per cent from the year before. The growth was due to the strike in last year's April. Energy production grew by good 16 per cent in April. The strong growth in energy production was also partly attributable to the strike of the paper industry one year ago. Output in other manufacturing went up by good 4 per cent, while in the chemical industry output fell slightly.

Capacity utilisation rate in manufacturing was good 83 per cent in April. In the pulp and paper industry, capacity utilisation rate was nearly 88 per cent, in the metal industry over 87 per cent and in the chemical industry 74 per cent. Capacity utilisation rate in other manufacturing was 78 per cent.

These preliminary data are based on information available to Statistics Finland by 30 May. A more accurate growth percentage of industrial output and data by industry for April will be published on the Internet in the StatFin statistical service on 15 June 2001 at 7 am.

Source: Volume Index of Industrial Output 2001, April, preliminary data. Statistics Finland
StatFin statistical service at: statfin.stat.fi