Luxembourg, 23/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - According to Eurostat, industrial production in the Euro zone rose by 0.4% in February compared to the month of January, and that of the European Union (EU 15) by 0.3%. These increases follow on from falls of 1.7% (Euro zone) and 1.6% in January (EU 15). After a widespread fall in January, all the sectors increased slightly in February. Intermediate goods rose 1% in the Euro zone and by 0.6% in the EU 15. Non-durable consumer goods increased 0.6% in the Euro zone and 0.8% in the EU 15. With regards to capital goods and durable consumer goods, the increases where more moderate, with respectively +0.1% and +0.5% in the Euro zone and +0.5% and +0.1% in the EU 15. The most significant falls in industrial production were seen in Germany (-0.8%), Luxembourg (-0.7%) and in Spain (-0.4%). The Netherlands (+5.2%) and Portugal (+1.2%) saw the greatest increases.
In annual terms, the volume of industrial production increases, in February 2001, by 3.8% in the Euro zone and 3.5% in the EU15 (compared to February 2000). The most significant increases have been seen in capital goods (+8% in the Euro zone and +8.1% in the EU 15). Durable consumer goods increased 2.4% in the Euro zone and 2.5% in the EU 15. Intermediate goods and non-durable consumer goods recorded respective increases of 3.5% and 2.4% in the Euro zone and 2.7% and 2.4% in the EU 15. Compared to February 2000, Finland (6.8%), Germany (4.8%) and Belgium (3.8%) recorded rises above or equal to the EU average. The other Member States also recorded increases, except Spain (-1.7%).