# Dutch machine makers drive 11.1% rise in industrial output

> Calendar-adjusted production in September was 11.1% above a year earlier, driven by machine makers, while producer confidence slipped in October, Statistics Netherlands says.

Economy · published 2026-11-10 05:49 · https://nlnow.nl/a/dutch-industrial-output-rises-11-1-on-a-year-earlier/

Calendar-adjusted production by Dutch industry in September was 11.1% higher than in September 2025, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported. Output grew in five of the eight largest industry branches.

Growth has picked up this year. Production was 1.0% above the year before in January and 1.0% below in February. It then rose 5.7% in April, 7.0% in May, 5.0% in June, 9.4% in July and 11.7% in August. A year ago, in September 2025, the increase was 1.2%.

**Machine industry output drives the rise** (% change on a year earlier, September 2026; source: CBS)

- Machines: 43.1
- Metal products: 2.4
- Food: 0.6
- Transport equipment: 0.5
- Chemicals: 0.3
- Rubber and plastics: -1.9
- Electrical and electronic equipment: -2.5
- Machine repair and installation: -4.3
- Industry total: 11.1

Machine industry output was 43.1% higher than a year earlier. Three branches produced less: rubber and plastics, electrical and electronic equipment, and machine repair and installation. The eight branches together make up almost 80% of industrial production.

**Industrial output growth has accelerated since the spring** (% change on a year earlier; source: CBS)

- Jan 2025: 0.3
- Feb 2025: -0.5
- Mar 2025: 1
- Apr 2025: -0.5
- May 2025: 0.1
- Jun 2025: 0
- Jul 2025: -1.3
- Aug 2025: -0.3
- Sep 2025: 1.2
- Oct 2025: 0.7
- Nov 2025: -0.2
- Dec 2025: -0.6
- Jan 2026: 1
- Feb 2026: -1
- Mar 2026: 1.9
- Apr 2026: 5.7
- May 2026: 7
- Jun 2026: 5
- Jul 2026: 9.4
- Aug 2026: 11.7
- Sep 2026: 11.1

## Producer confidence slips

Producer confidence fell in October but stayed above its twenty-year average of -1.4. The index stood at 2.3, down from 4.2 in September. In October 2025 it was -1.1.

Confidence declined in seven of the nine sectors measured. Only transport equipment and "other manufacturing" saw it rise. Producers in the electrical and electronics industry, which includes machine making, were again the most positive, at 8.0.

The index peaked at 10.5 in October 2021 and was lowest at -31.5 in April 2020.

## Background

- **CBS (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek)**: Statistics Netherlands, the independent government body that produces the official statistics on the Dutch economy and society.

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