Industrial output grew by just under one per cent in March from February

According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output was 0.9 per cent greater in March 2005 than in February. Seasonally adjusted volume of industrial output grew by 1.1 per cent from March 2004.

Seasonally adjusted change in industrial output from previous month, %

Industrial output went up by 1.1 per cent in March from one year back

According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output was 1.1 per cent higher in March 2005 than in March 2004. Development in industrial output has been quite moderate in the early part of the year.

Seasonally adjusted change in the volume index of industrial output
from corresponding month of previous year, %

The development in output was split into two in March. Among the main industries, output grew in the chemical industry, other metal industry, and wood and paper industry. The biggest growth in output of 7.6 per cent was recorded in March in the chemical industry. In other metal industry, output went up by 1.4 per cent, and in the wood and paper industry by just short of one per cent. Output fell in the manufacture of electronic and electrical products, other manufacturing and energy supply. Output fell by most, or by 4.8 per cent, in other manufacturing. Manufacture of electronic and electrical products declined by just under one per cent. Output in energy supply fell by 0.5 per cent.

Seasonally adjusted change in the volume of industrial output 3/2004-3/2005, %

Capacity utilisation rate in manufacturing was 83 per cent in March, which is 4.1 percentage points lower than in March 2004. In the pulp and paper industry capacity utilisation rate was 95 per cent and in the metal industry 82 per cent. Capacity utilisation rate in the chemical industry and in other manufacturing was 79 per cent.

Revised data for March will be published at 9 am on 31 May 2005 in connection with the industrial output data for April. Because of the method used, seasonally adjusted figures for previous months may change even if the original figures do not become revised. The seasonally adjusted figures will also be adjusted for working days.

Source: Volume Index of Industrial Output 2005, March. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Mr Kari Rautio +358 9 1734 2479, volyymi.indeksi@stat.fi