Brussels, 17/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - In February 2009, seasonally adjusted industrial production continued to fall in the euro area, reaching record lows compared with previous years, giving cause for concern that the recession could continue. According to data published on Thursday 16 April by Eurostat, industrial production fell by 2.3% in the euro area compared to January 2009, and by 18.4% compared to February 2008. This last figure is a record since 1990. Industrial production was down by 1.9% in the EU27 in February 2009 compared to January 2009 (-17.5 compared to February 2008).
Monthly comparison.
In February 2009 compared with January 2009, production of energy fell by 1.0% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27. Non-durable consumer goods decreased by 1.4% and 1.1% respectively. Intermediate goods dropped by 2.4% in the euro area and by 2.0% in the EU27. Capital goods declined by 3.0% and 2.3% respectively. Durable consumer goods fell by 4.3% in the euro area and 2.9% in the EU27. Among the member states for which data are available, industrial production fell in sixteen and rose only in Portugal (+2.4%), Greece (+1.7%) and Poland (+0.4%). The most significant falls were registered in Lithuania (-4.1%), Estonia (-3.6%), Italy (-3.5%) and Germany (-3.2%).
Annual comparison
In February 2009 compared with February 2008, production of energy fell by 3.6% in the euro area and by 3.5% in the EU27. Non-durable consumer goods decreased by 6.3% and 5.4% respectively. Durable consumer goods declined by 22.1% in the euro area and by 21.0% in the EU27. Intermediate goods dropped by 24.2% and 23.7% respectively. Capital goods fell by 24.7% in the euro area and by 23.7% in the EU27. Industrial production fell in all member states for which data are available. The largest decreases were registered in Estonia (-30.2%), Latvia (-24.2%) and Spain (-22.0%), and the smallest in Greece (-4.9%), the Netherlands (-5.9%) and Denmark (-11.8%). (L.C./transl.jl)