Dutch manufacturers expressed less negative sentiment in August than it was in July, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Producer confidence rose to -2.2 in August, up from -4.9 in July. Manufacturers were more positive about expected output for the next three months and less negative about their current stocks and order positions.

However, producer confidence in August remains below the 20-year average of -1.3. It reached an all-time high (10.4) in October 2021 and an all-time low (-31.5) in April 2020.

Dutch producer confidence improved to -2.2 in August from -4.9 in July, driven by more optimism about future output and less negativity around stocks and orders, according to CBS.
However, confidence remains below the 20-year average.
Most sectors stayed negative, except ‘other industries’.
Textiles and clothing worsened. Manufacturing output in June was down 0.2 per cent year-on-year.

Manufacturers’ assessment of expected output for the next three months was more positive than it was in June. They were also less negative about their current stocks of finished products and order positions. Manufacturers who anticipated an increase in output over the next three months outnumbered those expecting a decrease.

However, two other component indicators were negative. Manufacturers were more likely to indicate that their order position was weak rather than strong for the time of year, and more manufacturers described their current stock of finished products as large rather than small.

Confidence was negative in almost all industrial sectors. Only manufacturers in ‘other industries’ (such as repair and installation of machinery and furniture) were positive in August. However, manufacturers in textiles and clothes sector declined further to -7.2 in August from -5.1 in July.

In June, the calendar-adjusted output of the Dutch manufacturing sector was 0.2 per cent lower than it was in June 2024. Manufacturing output fell by 0.1 per cent relative to May, after adjusting for seasonal and calendar effects.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)

Container volume growth in India will be 8 per cent in fiscal 2025-26 (FY26), at nearly 380 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo, supported by capacity expansion, rising transhipment activity and slated completion of the entire Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, CareEdge Ratings recently projected.

FY26 container volume growth is estimated to moderate by 100-150 basis points, with the underlying assumption of one-third impact of US tariff on export volumes of affected sectors, compensated mainly by capacity additions and increased transhipment activity, it said.

Container volume growth in India will be 8 per cent in FY26, backed by capacity expansion, rising transhipment activity and slated completion of the entire Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, CareEdge Ratings recently projected.
Rising insurance costs, shipping rates owing to volatility in the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index and transit times are weighing on the sector’s growth trajectory, it noted.

Rising insurance costs, shipping rates owing to volatility in the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI) and transit times are weighing on the sector’s growth trajectory, it noted.

Cargo volumes on Gujarat’s coast fell by 6 per cent in May 2025 due to India-Pakistan tensions.

Additionally, the United States has imposed a 50-per cent tariff on Indian imports, adversely affecting key export sectors like home textiles and speciality chemicals.

While the United States accounting for 20 per cent of India’s exports, its share in sea-based trade (excluding electronic items) is barely 5 per cent, implying a moderate direct impact on port volume, CareEdge Ratings said in a release.

The organisation expects a significant impact on segments such as home textiles and readymade garments, gems and jewellery, shrimp products, automobile and engineering components and speciality chemicals based on their export exposure to the US and comparative tariff structure with other Asian countries.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

Germany’s import prices were 1.4 per cent lower year on year (YoY) in both July and June this year, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).

These were down by 0.4 per cent month on month (MoM) in July and by 1.1 per cent YoY in May.

Export prices were 0.6 per cent higher YoY in July, 0.7 per cent higher YoY in June and 1 per cent higher YoY in May. Such prices dropped by 0.2 per cent MoM in July.

Germany’s import prices were 1.4 per cent lower YoY and 0.4 per cent month on month (MoM) in July, official statistics show.
Export prices were 0.6 per cent higher YoY and 0.2 per cent lower MoM in the month.
The 12.5-per cent YoY drop in energy prices had the biggest impact on July import prices.
When energy prices are excluded, import prices in July were down by 0.2 per cent YoY and 0.4 per cent MoM.

The 12.5-per cent YoY drop in energy prices had the biggest impact on the overall development of import prices in July this year. Energy prices dropped by an average of 0.7 per cent in the month compared with June.

When energy prices are excluded, German import prices in July were down by 0.2 per cent YoY and 0.4 per cent MoM, a Destatis release said.

In the case of exports, the increase in the prices of consumer and capital goods had the biggest influence on the development of prices in July.

Exported consumer goods were 1.7 per cent more expensive YoY, while the prices remained unchanged MoM. Exported capital goods cost 0.4 per cent more YoY, but cost 0.3 per cent less MoM in July this year.

Energy was also exported at 0.3-per cent higher prices than in the same month of the previous year. Compared with June 2025, prices here were up by 3.2 per cent.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)