Turnover in oil and gas, manufacturing, mining and electricity supply, March 2009

The turnover dropped by 8.0 per cent in the domestic market, but rose by 7.8 per cent in the export market. Increased turnover of capital goods and consumer goods in the export market contributed to the growth in the total turnover of exports.

Seasonally adjusted figures show that the turnover of basic metals had the largest decrease from the last quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009 - 24.9 per cent. Basic metals and especially non-ferrous metals experienced falling market prices (see producer price index ) and reduced demand from the international markets. The turnover for paper and paper products also dropped in this period - down 23.8 per cent. The fall in turnover continued for wood and wood products, rubber, plastic and mineral products, and refined petroleum, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Some of the industries that experienced growth in turnover in this period, were machinery and equipment, by 16.4 per cent, and ships, boats and platforms, by 28.0 per cent. Rise in turnover for these industries can be explained by increased production volume and large deliveries in the first quarter of 2009 (see the index of production ).

Total turnover increase from February to March

Manufacturing turnover rose by 1.6 per cent from February to March this year. The turnover increase on monthly basis can be explained by positive development for fabricated metal products (increase of 21.2 per cent) and for ships, boats and oil platforms (up by 9.5 per cent).

Higher turnover in March this year than in March last year

Manufacturing turnover rose by 12.3 per cent in March 2009 compared to March 2008, according to unadjusted figures. This growth in turnover is partly due to the fact that Easter was in March in 2008 and in April in 2009.The industries that contributed most to the rise in turnover were machinery and equipment - up 82.1 per cent - ships, boats and oil platforms - up 44.7 per cent - and repair and installation of machinery - up 34.1 per cent. Turnover fell for basic metals by 39.4 per cent and for petroleum, chemicals and pharmaceuticals by 22.5 per cent.

Norway and the euro area

Unadjusted figures show that there was a 9.0 per cent fall in the Norwegian manufacturing turnover from February 2008 to February 2009. Manufacturing turnover in the euro area dropped by 24.8 per cent in the same period, according to figures published by Eurostat .