Manufacturing production increased by 1,5% in August 2017 compared with August 2016. This increase was mainly due to higher production in the basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery division (11,3% and contributing 2,0 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production increased by 0,3% in August 2017 compared with July 2017. This followed month-on-month changes of 1,5% in July 2017 and 0,0% in June 2017.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production increased by 1,3% in the three months ended August 2017 compared with the previous three months. Six of the ten manufacturing divisions reported positive growth rates over this period.

The largest contributions to the 1,3% increase were made by the following divisions:

• basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (2,5% and contributing 0,5 of a percentage point);
• petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (1,6% and contributing 0,4 of a percentage point);
• motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment (3,9% and contributing 0,3 of a percentage point); and
• furniture and 'other' manufacturing (7,1% and contributing 0,2 of a percentage point).