In May 2012 compared with April 2012, production of non-durable consumer goods increased by 1.7% in the euro area and by 2.2% in the EU27. Capital goods rose by 0.9% in both zones. Durable consumer goods grew by 0.5% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27. Intermediate goods gained 0.3% in both zones. Production of energy
dropped by 2.3% in the euro area and by 1.7% in the EU27.
Among the Member States for which data are available, industrial production rose in thirteen and fell in eight. The highest increases were registered in Portugal (+4.1%), Sweden (+2.0%), Latvia (+1.9%) and Germany (+1.5%), and the largest decreases in Lithuania (-16.3%), Slovenia (-3.2%), France (-2.1%) and the Netherlands (-1.6%).
Annual comparison
In May 2012 compared with May 2011, production of durable consumer goods dropped by 6.4% in the euro area and by 4.4% in the EU27. Intermediate goods fell by 3.9% and 3.3% respectively. Non-durable consumer goods decreased by 2.1% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27. Capital goods declined by 1.9% and 1.4% respectively. Production of energy dropped by 1.6% in the euro area and by 2.5% in the EU27.
Among the Member States for which data are available, industrial production fell in fifteen, rose in five and remained stable in the Czech Republic. The largest decreases were registered in Lithuania (-14.8%), Denmark (-9.2%), Italy (-6.9%), Portugal (-6.7%) and Spain (-6.1%), and the highest increases in Latvia (+6.0%) and Ireland (+4.4%).