August 21--THE European Unions' (EU) industrial production contracted by 0.6 per cent in June compared to the previous month, according to estimates from the EU's statistical office, Eurostat.
June's lower figure was attributed to capital goods falling 1.9 per cent, durable goods 1.2 per cent, non-durable consumer goods 0.4 per cent and intermediate goods 0.3 per cent, Eurostat was cited as saying in a report by American Shipper. However, production of energy was up 1.8 per cent, offsetting the overall decline for the month.
Compared to June 2016, industrial production increased by 2.6 per cent in the euro area in June 2017 and by 2.9 per cent in the EU28.
According to Eurostat, the largest decreases in industrial production took place in Ireland, the Czech Republic, and Malta. The highest increases in production were recorded in Luxembourg, Estonia, Croatia and the Netherlands.
The growth in production year on year is characterized by energy production rising 5.1 per cent, durable consumer goods 4.0 per cent and intermediate goods 3.8 per cent. The highest increases in industrial production were seen in Estonia, Romania, and Sweden, Ireland and Malta.
(Source:shippingazette)