Index of industrial production, March 2001

The rise in the overall index was mostly related to changes within the oil and gas extraction. The output in oil and gas extraction increased by 6.4 per cent from February to March this year after a 6.1 per cent fall from January to February. The exploring activities have been on a high level in March this year. The Norwegian gas extraction in March was still substantially lower than the corresponding month last year. During the last six months the oil and gas extraction has decreased by 2.0 per cent, according to seasonally adjusted figures.

Changes in manufacturing from February to March

The manufacturing output decreased by 0.4 per cent from February to March this year, according to seasonally adjusted figures. This was related to a fall in the intermediate and consumer goods output. Basic chemicals and basic metals have contributed to the decrease in the intermediate goods output. The capital goods output rose by 2.2 per cent from February to March. This was related to the engineering industries. Most of these industries have increased their production output during March compared with February this year, according to seasonally adjusted data. Electrical and optical equipment industries saw a fall related to a decreased output in radio, television and communication equipment.

Changes the last 12 months

The manufacturing output in March this year was 0.4 per cent lower than in the corresponding month last year, according to weekly-adjusted data. There are still differences within the manufacturing industries. Most of the engineering industries have seen an increase in the output during the last twelve months. Basic metal industries have seen a decline by 5.2 per cent from March last year. These changes have affected the output in the intermediate goods.