Industrial production increased compared to February of the previous year

According to Statistics Estonia, in February 2010 the production of industrial enterprises rose 5% compared to February of the previous year.

In February 2010 the production in manufacturing increased 4% compared to February of the previous year. When in total of 2009 compared to the previous year, the production decreased in all branches of manufacturing, then in January some branches showed recovery marks. In February a considerable growth could be observed in more than half of branches. When the export sales in manufacturing increased 12%, than the domestic sales fell 9% compared to February of the previous year.

The rapid increase in production was partly affected by comparing to lower comparison base, where the production in February 2009 was one of the lowest during the previous year. The branches holding a big share, as manufacturing of electronic products, rose 65%, the manufacturing of wood — 18%, mainly due to the increase of exports. The production increased also in the manufacturing of metals, motor vehicles, refined petroleum, plastic products, building materials and furniture. The production of wearing apparel, leather, chemical and metal products, machinery and equipment decreased more than a fifth. The main reason causing the decline was a continually insufficient demand.

In February 2010 compared to January, the seasonally adjusted industrial production decreased 1%, the production of manufacturing remained on the level of the previous month.

In February 2010 compared to February 2009, the production of electricity increased 19%, the production of heat — 7%. The increase in energy production was caused mostly by a lower outdoor temperature and a rising demand of energy induced from it. The exports of electricity rose slightly too.

Volume index and trend of production in manufacturing January 2000 – February 2010 (2005 = 100)

Change in volume index of industrial production, February 2010 (percentage) Economic activity February 2010 change compared to the previous month according to seasonally adjusted dataa change compared to the corresponding month of the previous year according to unadjusted data according to working-day adjusted datab TOTAL -0.6 4.8 4.8 Energy production -8.2 13.9 13.9 Mining 3.6 -1.1 -1.1 Manufacturing 0.1 4.1 4.1 manufacture of food products 1.3 -1.6 -1.6 manufacture of beverages 2.3 3.5 3.5 manufacture of wood and wood products -1.6 17.9 17.9 manufacture of fabricated metal products -2.4 -29.9 -29.9 manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products 7.4 65.3 65.3 manufacture of electrical equipment 3.6 0.7 0.7 manufacture of chemicals and chemical products -0.6 -25.8 -25.8 manufacture of furniture -0.6 7.7 7.4 manufacture of rubber and plastic products 1.5 28.8 28.8

^a In case of the seasonally adjusted volume index, the impact of the differing numbers of working days in a month and seasonally recurring factors has been eliminated. It is calculated only in comparison with the previous period.
^b In case of the working-day adjusted volume index, the impact of the differing number of working days in a month has been eliminated. It is calculated only in comparison with the corresponding period of the previous year.

For further information:

Lilian Bõkova
Leading Statistician
Industry, Construction and Energy Statistics Service
Statistics Estonia
Tel : +372 625 9223