Ships and platforms contributed to output growth

The index level for Norwegian manufacturing in the third quarter of 2018 amounted to 116 (2005=100). The corresponding figure for the previous quarter was 115.3.

Three-month change: high activity in ships, boats and oil platforms

According to seasonally-adjusted figures, manufacturing output saw an increase of 0.6 per cent in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the previous quarter. The growth was particularly related to high activity within ships, boats and oil platforms, as well as in the industry grouping refined petroleum, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The former saw a strong growth of 6.2 per cent mainly due to high activity within ship building, however platform building also made a positive contribution. The analytical grouping  petroleum-related manufacturing saw an overall increase of 1.1 per cent from the second to the third quarter of 2018.

For the industry grouping refined petroleum, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, the growth in the third quarter was partly related to a high output of pharmaceutical products. On the other hand, the overall output increase was dampened by a production decline in food products. This decrease is related to low production of meat and meat products. 

Monthly change: decline in food products from August to September

According to seasonally-adjusted figures, manufacturing output had a minor decrease of 0.3 per cent from August to September 2018. Food products saw a clear output fall in this period, and contributed the most to the overall decline. On the other hand, ships, boats and oil platforms as well as the industry grouping refined petroleum, chemicals and pharmaceuticals had an output increase.

Growth in the Euro area, unchanged output in Norway in August 2018

Estimated figures from Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, indicate that output in manufacturing in the Euro area increased by 0.9 per cent from July to August 2018. In the same period, Norwegian manufacturing output was more or less unchanged with a minor decrease of 0.2 per cent.

In two of our neighbouring countries, Sweden and Denmark, the development in manufacturing output pointed in somewhat different directions from July to August 2018. Sweden saw a moderate increase of 0.6 per cent, while Denmark had an output fall of 1.2 per cent. 

Three-month change: increase in total industrial production (PII)

According to seasonally-adjusted figures, the total production index (PII) covering extraction, mining, manufacturing and electricity supply had an increase of 1.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2018 compared with the previous quarter. Extraction of crude petroleum increased 2.1 per cent, while extraction of natural gas saw a growth of 4.5 per cent. For more details about oil and gas extraction for September 2018, see the press release from The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate.

Within support activities for petroleum and natural gas extraction, the output level was more or less unchanged from the second to the third quarter of 2018. In the same period, mining and quarrying saw a clear output fall equivalent to 5.9 cent, while production within Norwegian electricity supply increased strongly with 5.3 per cent. The increase within electricity supply in the third quarter must be seen in conjunction with the low production in the previous quarter due to a low level of rainfall.