28 September 2001
Inquiries: Mr Kari Rautio +358 9 1734 2479, Mr Rami
Peltola +358 9 1734 3615
Director in charge: Mr Ilkka Hyppönen
Industrial output fell further in August
According to Statistics Finland, industrial output as calculated per working day was 1.9 per cent lower in August than one year previously. However, the fall of industrial output that started in April has slowed down. Adjusted for seasonal variation, output in August even increased compared to July. In the January to August period, industrial output as calculated per working day grew by one per cent from the previous year.
Output in the metal industry went up by 3 per cent in August. Within the metal industry, the manufacture of electrical equipment grew by good 6 per cent compared to August 2000. In contrast, output in the rest of the metal industry declined by nearly one per cent.
In August output in the wood and paper industry decreased by nearly 12 per cent from the year before. Output in the chemical industry fell by good 3 per cent and in other manufacturing by over 4 per cent. Energy production grew by almost 3 per cent from August 2000.
Capacity utilisation rate in manufacturing was 83 per cent in August, while in last year's August it was almost 4 percentage points higher. In the pulp and paper industry, capacity utilisation rate was 85 per cent, in the metal industry 87 per cent and in the chemical industry 78 per cent. Capacity utilisation rate in other manufacturing was 79 per cent.
These preliminary data are based on information available to Statistics Finland by 27 September. A more accurate growth percentage of industrial output and data by industry for August will be published on the Internet in the StatFin statistical service on 15 October 2001 at 7 am.
Source: Volume Index of Industrial Output 2001,
August, preliminary data. Statistics Finland
StatFin statistical service at: statfin.stat.fi