Turnover in oil and gas, manufacturing, mining and electricity supply, October 2003

Capital goods experienced the greatest change with an increase of 1.4 per cent from September to October this year. This rise was mainly due to the transport equipment industry, which, after a weak September month, experienced an increase in October. A decrease in the turnover within fabricated metal products and oil platforms and modules prevented further increase within this industrial grouping.

Intermediate goods stable

Figures for intermediate goods in October show a slight decrease compared with September. Basic chemicals and non-ferrous metals show a substantial increase in turnover from last month, with 13.8 per cent and 10.9 per cent, respectively. There has been noted an increase in both price and production within these areas of industry in October 2003. This positive growth within some intermediate goods was, however, somewhat held back by the negative development within industries such as pulp, paper and paper products and other non-metallic mineral products.

Consumer goods remain unchanged

Within consumer goods, figures for October show no considerable changes in turnover from September, a mere decline of 0.2 per cent. Food and food products experienced the largest decline, 1.9 per cent. Furniture and other manufacturing experienced a slight decrease of 0.2 per cent, whilst publishing, printing and reproduction had a slight increase of 0.4 per cent.

Oil- and gas extraction down

Norwegian oil and gas extraction experienced a total turnover of NOK 28 billion in October this year, a decrease of 2.6 per cent compared to same period last year. This decline is due to a slightly lower production in October 2003 compared with the same month last year. The production of gas, however, experienced a higher production in October this year.