Rapid growth in industrial output continues in April

Industrial output grew by 7.9 per cent in the year to April, the index per working day of Statistics Finland indicates. The strong growth in output was sustained by the metal industry and the wood and paper industry. Output in the metal industry rose by almost 11 per cent and that in the wood and paper industry by 13.5 per cent.

In the main sectors of the metal industry the production of electrical products saw the highest rise, up by 22.5 per cent in the year to April. Production in the base metals industry was up by 11.5 per cent, that in the manufacture of machinery by just over 5 per cent and that in the manufacture of metal products by a full 7 per cent.

The production of pulp and paper grew by close on 14 per cent in April, the increase being partly accounted for by the low level of output in the reference period of April 1996. Strong growth in the construction material industry indicated a recovery in the construction industry, showing an increase of almost 23 per cent. The manufacture of wood products was up by close on 13 per cent compared to a year ago, and the manufacture of furniture also grew, by almost 21 per cent.

Output in the chemical industry grew by a full 2 per cent in April and that in other manufacturing by over 3 per cent.

In April close on 89 per cent of the capacity in manufacturing was in use. The utilisation rate in the metal industry was 91 per cent, that in the pulp and paper industry 95 per cent, in the chemical industry 80 per cent and the rest of manufacturing 81 per cent.

In the January-April period industrial output increased by nearly 8 per cent. Output in the metal industry grew by close on 9 per cent and that in the pulp and paper industry by almost 15 per cent.

Source: Volume Index of Industrial Output, April 1997
Further information: Mr. Kari Rautio, tel. +358 9 1734 2479