The industrial output increased by 0.6% in February compared to the same month last year (YoY), and the growth rate was 2.0% YoY for the core manufacturing industries, according to data from the statistics office INS.

In seasonally-adjusted terms, the industrial activity contracted overall by 1% in February compared to January - while the core manufacturing industries performed marginally better (+0.4% month on month).

For the first two months of the year, the industrial output picked up by 0.5% YoY.

The subdued activity in the automobile industry (nearly 10% weaker compared to the same period of 2021) was offset by stronger activity in the tobacco processing (+12.2% YoY), light industries (+19.1% for the leather and furs processing) and food manufacturing (+5.9% YoY).

Overall, the manufacturing industries marked a significant 1.4% YoY advance in January-February.

The outlook, however, remains uncertain amid rising energy prices and disruptions in the international manufacturing chains. 

(Photo: Pexels)

iulian@romania-insider.com