In August, industrial production volume grew only in manufacturing
According to Statistics Estonia, in August 2021, the total production of industrial enterprises increased by 4% year on year. Production increased by 9% in manufacturing, but decreased by 28% in mining and by 16% in energy production.
Production increased in most manufacturing activities. Among the activities with larger shares, production grew in the manufacture of wood (8.7%), metal products (21.7%), electrical equipment (15.6%) and building materials (18.0%). Volumes stayed at last year’s level in food manufacturing, but decreased in the manufacture of electronic products (14.9%) and chemicals (10.7%).
In energy production, the volume of electricity production (in megawatt-hours) decreased by 21% compared to August 2020, while the production of heat increased by 3%.
Helle Bunder, analyst at Statistics Estonia, said that compared to last year’s August, electricity import increased, and therefore, domestic production decreased. “The fall was primarily on account of oil shale based electricity. August 2020 was also the biggest growth month last year, which means that the reference base for electricity production was high,” explained Bunder.
Of the total production of manufacturing, 66% was sold to the external market. The share of export sales was highest in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products and in the manufacture of computers and electronic products. According to unadjusted data, sales for export increased by 11% and sales to the domestic market by 24% year on year.
In August compared to July, the seasonally adjusted total industrial production decreased by 4%. In manufacturing, production volumes remained at the same level as in July.
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.
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.
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