Production in wood manufacturing went up in March
According to Statistics Estonia, in March 2021, the total production of industrial enterprises increased by 2% year on year. Production increased by 9% in the energy sector and by 2% in manufacturing, but decreased in mining by 26%.
Industry is the largest sector of the economy and an important driver of economic growth. The index of industrial production covers the economic indicators of three industrial activities: mining, energy production and manufacturing.
Helle Bunder, analyst at Statistics Estonia, said that in March, year-on-year growth was recorded in two-thirds of manufacturing activities, but it should be considered that production had decreased in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Among the activities with larger shares, production grew the most in the manufacture of wood, by 12.2%. There was also growth in the production of shale oil, building materials and metal products, while production decreased in the manufacture of food products, electrical equipment and computers and electronic products,” added Bunder.
Of the total production of manufacturing, 68% was sold to the external market. The share of export sales was the largest in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and the manufacture of computers and electronic products. According to unadjusted data, the sales of production for export increased by 10% and sales to the domestic market by 8% year on year.
In March compared to February, the seasonally adjusted total industrial production increased by 4% and the production of manufacturing by 5%.
In energy production, the volume of electricity production (in megawatt-hours) increased by 3% and the production of heat by 11% compared to March 2020.
Statistics Estonia performs the statistical activity “Production indices” for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications with the aim to determine the economic situation in Estonia.
Information about different industrial activities can be found on the business dashboards. See also the dedicated section on industry.
As Statistics Estonia will soon transition to one database, tables on industrial production changed as of March 10. The changes can be viewed here.
More detailed data have been published in the statistical database.
For further information:
Kadri Kütt
Media Relations Manager
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 625 9181