Production of commodities in manufacturing, mining and quarrying, 2004

The commodity statistics show a 10 per cent increase in sales of manufactured goods in manufacturing, mining and quarrying, from NOK 377 billion in 2003 to NOK 413 billion in 2004. This is slightly higher than the increase in the manufacturing industry according to preliminary national accounts figures (6 per cent).

The positive development in the basic metals industry and the oil refining and basic chemicals industries has continued since 2002. The increase was 31 per cent in the basic metals industry, from NOK 38 billion to NOK 50 billion, and mainly due to higher production capacity and high international demand. Sales in the oil refining and basic chemicals industries increased by 18 per cent from NOK 55 billion to NOK 65 billion. Other industries, such as the food industry and the pulp and paper industry also saw sales increase again following the decrease in 2003.

Decrease in some industries

The biggest fall in sales of goods took place within the production of machinery and equipment. In this industry, sales fell by 4 per cent from NOK 25 billion to NOK 24 billion. The textile and textile products industry and the rubber and plastic products industry also saw sales drop, by 2 and 1 per cent respectively.

The commodity statistics are based on information from the 2 609 largest enterprises classified under manufacturing, mining and quarrying. These enterprises contributed to almost 90 per cent of the total production in these sectors in 2003.

Tables:

• Table 1 Selected commodity figures for large enterprises, mining, quarrying and manufacturing. 2004
• Table 2 Commodity figures for large enterprises, mining, quarrying and manufacturing. 2003-2004