Dutch Manufacturing Output Recovers in May

Manufacturing production in the Netherlands rose by 0.5% month-over-month in May 2025, recovering from a 1.1% decline recorded in April. The rebound was largely driven by a sharp upswing in pharmaceutical output, which surged 9.8% after plunging 27.2% April. Growth also returned in the production of machinery, rising 1% after a slight 0.1% dip, as well as in the repair and installation of machinery, which climbed 7% following a 2.9% drop. Additionally, output growth gained momentum in other sectors such as basic metals (7.7% vs 1.9%) and graphic products (2.3% vs 2.2%). On the downside, production continued to contract in the petroleum industry (-8.7% vs -6.9%), electrical equipment (-4.3% vs -3.4%), and rubber and plastics (-0.6% vs 1.8%). On a yearly basis, manufacturing activity expanded by 0.8% in May, following a 0.6% decline in the prior period.