Slight increase in production

Production in manufacturing increased by 0.9 per cent from February to April 2010 compared with the previous three-month period, according to seasonally-adjusted figures.

The output in basic metals and basic chemicals increased in this last period. The production in basic metals went up due to increased demand from abroad. As a consequence, the Norwegian smelting industry (except aluminium) is once again close to full capacity utilization. Production in wood and wood products as well as food products also saw an increase in this period. This development is partly due to growing domestic demand.

The production in ships, boats and oil platforms went down by 2.6 per cent from February to April 2010 compared to the previous three-month period. There was also a 1.3 per cent decrease in production in computer and electrical equipment. According to seasonally-adjusted figures, output in fabricated metals, machinery and equipment and repair and installation of machinery saw a slight increase during the last three-month period.

Minor changes from March to April 2010

There were only minor changes in manufacturing from March to April 2010, according to seasonally-adjusted figures. Production in wood and wood products fell, while output in ship and oil platforms went up. There was also an increase in production of food products.

Growth from April 2009 to April 2010

Output in Norwegian manufacturing increased by 3.0 per cent from April 2009 to April 2010, according to working-day adjusted figures. There was significant growth in production of basic metals, basic chemicals and paper and paper products, while output in ship and oil platforms went down by 6.1 per cent.

Norway and the euro area

There was a 1.6 per cent increase in Norwegian manufacturing output from March 2009 to March 2010, according to working-day adjusted figures. Industrial production in the euro area increased by 7.3 per cent in the same period, according to figures published by Eurostat.

Source: Statistics Norway