Netherlands manufacturing output rises 4.9% in May

Dutch manufacturing output rose in May 2026, with calendar-adjusted production 4.9 per cent higher than in May 2025, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) data showed. The annual rise was unchanged from April, giving textile, apparel and retail sourcing teams another signal on operating conditions in Europe.The growth was not broad-based across industry. Output increased in nearly 40 per cent of underlying industrial sectors compared with a year earlier. Among the eight largest sectors, machinery recorded the strongest output rise, while chemical and transport equipment posted the steepest declines.

On a short-term basis, seasonally and working-day adjusted manufacturing output was 0.1 per cent higher than in April, CBS said in a press release.

Calendar-adjusted Dutch manufacturing output in May 2026 was 4.9 per cent above May 2025, matching April’s annual rise.
Seasonally and working-day adjusted output edged up 0.1 per cent from April, with growth seen in nearly 40 per cent of industrial sectors.
Improved producer confidence gives sourcing teams another indicator to monitor supplier sentiment and near-term output expectations.

The agency noted that adjusted manufacturing output can fluctuate significantly, but has increased during the past three months.

Producer sentiment also improved. Manufacturing producer confidence rose from -2 in May to 1.3 in June, the highest level in nearly four years and above the 20-year average of -1.4. Manufacturers were mainly more positive about output over the next three months.

Confidence improved in most sectors, with electronics and machinery showing the sharpest increase and also the most positive reading at 9.7.

For exporters, importers and sourcing teams monitoring European supply chains, marginal monthly output growth and firmer producer expectations indicate an improving but still uneven manufacturing environment.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk