Belgium: Industrial output records best result on record in April, albeit largely due to a favorable base effect
Industrial output grew 28.3% year-on-year in calendar-adjusted terms in April, which was above March’s 4.3% increase. April’s figure marked the best result on record. Despite being flattered by a favorable base effect, the print was still 3.6% higher than April 2019 levels. The reading reflected a broad-based upturn, with activity in the manufacturing, energy and mining and quarrying sub-sectors all improving in April.
On a monthly basis, factory output increased 7.4% in seasonally-adjusted terms in April, rebounding from March’s 1.9% fall and marking the best result since May 2020. Meanwhile, the trend improved, with the annual average variation of industrial production coming in at plus 1.4%, contrasting March’s minus 2.6% reading.