Romania Industrial Output and Retail Sales June 2008

Romania's industrial output increased year-on-year in June, according to the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics. However, on a monthly basis, output fell over May. Industrial output grew at a 4% year on year pace in June, helped by a 5.1% rise in production from the manufacturing sector. However, output of utilities fell 2.3%, and that of mining and quarrying declined by an annual 3.1%.



Month-on-month, industrial output fell 1.5% mainly because of a fall in production from the manufacturing and utilities sectors. However, output from mining increased. Most industries showed evidence of a decline in output. The steepest fall in output of 2.8% was for intermediate goods, followed by a 2.4% fall in the production of capital goods. Production of energy fell 0.7%, while consumer goods output fell 0.5%.



Meanwhile, in another report published this morning, the statistical agency said that the volume of retail sales excluding motor vehicles expanded 19.3% in June. This was helped by double digit growth from both the food and non-food sector. Retail sales of non-food items grew 27.1%, while that food, beverages and tobacco was up 10.9%.

Sales volume for the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, which includes also retail sales volume of motor fuel, increased 23.5% in the month. The rise was mainly due to a 24.3% increase in the sale of motor fuels. Turnover in business services were up 7.3% in the month. Retail sales, excluding motor vehicle sale, increased 9.7%. Sales volume of motor vehicles and cycles, including repair and maintenance fell 13.7%. On the other hand, retail sales of services grew 23.6%.