17 November 1997
Inquiries: Kari Rautio +358 9 1734 2479
Statistical Director in charge: Ilkka Hyppönen
Growth in industrial output slowed down to 4.3 per cent in September
Growth in industrial output slowed down in September. According to Statistics Finland's index per working day, output in September was 4.3 per cent higher than one year previously. The slowdown is due in part to the high output level recorded in September last year, maintenance shutdowns in oil refining, the increase in electricity imports and reduced energy consumption as a result of the warm weather in September.
Electricity supply was down by almost 10 per cent. Domestic production was replaced in part by imports, which more than doubled in the year to September. The growth of output also slowed down in paper production, although this was partly due to the rapid growth recorded in September last year.
Output in the wood and paper industry grew by 11 per cent and in the metal industry by over 10 per cent on the figure for September last year. In the metal industry the biggest increase was recorded for the manufacture of electrotechnical products, which was up by over 16 per cent. The manufacture of transport equipment was up by almost one per cent on the previous year.
Output in the chemical industry fell by almost 16 per cent in the year to September. This, however, was due to maintenance shutdowns in oil refining. Output in the foodstuffs industry was down by one per cent on the figure for last year.
Capacity utilisation in the manufacturing industry was almost 88 per cent in September. In the metal industry the capacity utilisation rate was over 90 per cent, in the wood and paper industry 94 per cent, in the chemical industry over 75 per cent and in other manufacturing industry almost 81 per cent.
During the period from January to September, industrial output increased by 7.8 per cent compared to the same period last year. Output in the paper industry grew by almost 16 per cent, in the wood industry by over 14 per cent, in the metal industry by close on 11 per cent and in the chemical industry by over 2 per cent.
Source: Volume index of Industrial Output, September 1997. Statistics Finland