31 October 2001
Inquiries: Mr Kari Rautio +358 9 1734 2479, Mr Rami
Peltola +358 9 1734 3615
Director in charge: Mr Ilkka Hyppönen
Industrial output fell further in September
According to Statistics Finland, industrial output as calculated per working day was 3.5 per cent lower in September than one year previously. Adjusted for seasonal variation, output in September was on the same level as in August. In the January to September period, industrial output as calculated per working day grew by 0.5 per cent from the previous year.
Output in the metal industry went up by 0.4 per cent in September. Within the metal industry, the manufacture of electrical equipment grew by 2.5 per cent compared to September 2000. In contrast, output in the rest of the metal industry declined by good 2 per cent.
In September output in the wood and paper industry decreased by over 10 per cent from the year before. Output in the chemical industry fell by nearly 5 per cent and in other manufacturing by good 5 per cent. Energy production went down by 3 per cent from one year previously.
Capacity utilisation rate in manufacturing was 85 per cent in September, while in last year's September it was almost 5 percentage points higher. In the pulp and paper industry, capacity utilisation rate was 87 per cent, in the metal industry 90 per cent and in the chemical industry 77 per cent. Capacity utilisation rate in other manufacturing was 79 per cent.
These preliminary data are based on information available to Statistics Finland by 30 October. A more accurate growth percentage of industrial output and data by industry for September will be published on the Internet in the StatFin statistical service on 15 November 2001 at 7 am.
Source: Volume Index of Industrial Output 2001,
September, preliminary data. Statistics Finland
StatFin statistical service at: statfin.stat.fi