2012 started very badly for the Italian industry. In January production of our factories is collapsed by 5% on an annual basis and by 2,5 compared to December, scoring the worst figure since December 2009According to the latest Istat data, the index fell by 1,9% on average in the November-January period compared to the immediately preceding quarter.
Indices adjusted for calendar effects showed trend declines for all major industry groupings in January. The other more marked drops concern energy (-5,9%) and consumer goods (-5,8%). But intermediate goods (-5,4%) and capital goods (-4,2%) also decreased significantly.
Compared to January 2011, the sectors characterized by growth are mining (+5,8%), the manufacture of computers, electronic and optical products, electromedical equipment, measuring equipment and watches (+2,3%) and the food, beverage and tobacco industries (+2,0%).
Among the sectors in decline, the one that has recorded the largest trend decrease is the automotive industry. In the month of January production fell by as much as 36,8% on an annual basis: this is the lowest figure since February 2009, when there was a 41% drop.
The other sectors in serious declines are the wood, paper and printing industries (-16,3%), other manufacturing industries, repair and installation of machines and equipment (-13,3%), the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products and the manufacture of electrical appliances and non-electrical household appliances (both down 11,4%).
