Luxembourg, 14/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - According to estimates published on Monday 14 January by Eurostat, industrial production was down 0.5% in the eurozone and 0.3% in the EU27 in November 2007 compared to the previous month. In October, production was up by 0.5% in both zones.
In November 2007, compared to October 2007, the energy sector increased by 0.4% in the eurozone and by 0.3% in the EU27. Non-durable consumer goods saw an increase of 0.1% and 0.2% respectively. Interim goods were down 0.6% in the eurozone and 0.5% in the EU27. Investment goods fell by 0.7% and 0.6% respectively. Durable consumer goods fell by 1.9% in the eurozone and 1.4% in the EU27. Industrial production increased in five member states and fell in 14. The greatest increases were recorded in the Netherlands and Sweden (+1.8% each), and the sharpest drops were observed in Poland (-3.3%), Lithuania (-3.0%) and Slovenia (-2.7%).
In annual terms (November 2007/November 2006), industrial production was up by 2.7% in the eurozone and by 2.6% in the EU27. The energy sector saw an increase of 6.2% in the eurozone and 4.2% in the EU27. Investment goods have grown by 3.7% and 4.2% respectively. Non-durable consumer goods were up by 1.9% in the eurozone and by 1.2% in the EU27. Interim goods saw an increase of 1.8% in both zones. Durable consumer goods grew by 3.4% in the euro zone and 1.0% in the EU27. Industrial production was up in 13 member states and down in six. The greatest increases were to be seen in Ireland (+14.7%) Slovakia (+13.2%) and the Netherlands (+10.0%), and the greatest decreases in Italy (-2.4%), Portugal (-2.0%) and Finland (-1.4%). (O.L.)