Dutch Manufacturing Output Rebounds in March

Manufacturing production in the Netherlands increased by 1.4% month-on-month in April 2026, slowing from a more than two-year high of 2.8% in the previous month. Growth slowed across several industries, including food (1.1% vs 1.4% in March), petroleum (2.3% vs 10.7%), chemicals (0.2% vs 1.9%), building materials (0.4% vs 2.2%), and machinery (3.9% vs 4.4%). In contrast, output rebounded in textiles (4.7% vs -2.1%), leather and footwear (5.3% vs -10.1%), and basic metals (0.2% vs -2.3%). On a yearly basis, manufacturing production climbed to 4.7% from 1.9% in March, marking its strongest annual gain since October 2022.

Manufacturing production in the Netherlands rose 2.8% month-on-month in March 2026, rebounding from a revised 1.6% drop in February. This marked the strongest growth since December 2023. Compared with the same period last year, output grew 1.7%, with half of all industrial business categories recording higher production. Among the eight major sectors, the machinery industry posted the strongest growth, while the electrical and electronics sector recorded the steepest decline.

Manufacturing production in the Netherlands fell 1.3% month-on-month in February 2026, following a 0.4% rise in January, marking the lowest reading since September 2024. Output declined for food (-2.8% vs 4.9% in January), wood (-6.4% vs 4.3%), paper (-4% vs 8%), pharmaceuticals (-8.4% vs 17%), and metal products (-2.6% vs 0.2%). At the same time, output growth slowed for electrical appliances (1% vs 5.3%), machine (0.4% vs 2.9%), and graphic (6.4% vs 7.3%). On the other hand, activity recovered for basic metals (7.6% vs -13.8%) and textiles (0.6% vs -0.8%). On an annual basis, manufacturing output dropped 0.7% from a 1.1% growth in the previous month.