Manufacturing positive about 2026 despite decline in exports
The Nevi Dutch Manufacturing PMI fell from 51.8 to 51.1 in December, indicating a softer improvement in business conditions. Both production and new export orders declined slightly. Still, the industry is optimistic about 2026.
Respondents widely expect growth in the coming year, thanks to increasing investments and the introduction of new products.
For the first time since September, employment increased slightly, which indicates confidence in the future. The industry is leaving a messy year behind it. Some companies saw a slight increase in demand, while others were still struggling with excess stocks from recent years or weak exports as a result of trade policy introduced by President Trump. In December, supply lines were disrupted, presumably partly as a result of congestion in the port of Rotterdam and geopolitical tensions between China, the Netherlands and the United States. Delivery times increased the most in more than three years.
Energy-intensive industry under favourable constellation
The long-awaited report by former ASML CEO Peter Wennink has been well received by the industry. Not only the high-tech industry was satisfied. Following Mario Draghi, former Prime Minister of Italy and President of the European Central Bank, Wennink also made a case for a number of energy-intensive industries. The chemical industry and the steel industry form the basis of various chains of high-quality industry in the Netherlands, according to Wennink, and are important for our energy supply and defence. The agenda presented by D66 and CDA in December was also a boost for the energy-intensive industry. The parties indicated that they wanted to fully commit to electrification and the abolition of the national CO2 tax. Electricity costs for industry must also be reduced. All in all, it seems that basic industry will be under a more favourable constellation in 2026. ABN AMRO expects Dutch industry to grow by 3 per cent this year.