Dynamics of industrial production in April 2023

Changes have been made to the published information1

Industrial production volumes in April 2023 increased compared to the same period in 2022 by (+)5.2%. Compared to March 2023, the drop was (-)5.0%. However, excluding seasonal and calendar factors, the index growth compared to March 2023 was (+)1.7%. In general, over the first four months of 2023, the industrial production index increased by (+)0.6% compared to January-April 2022.

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When calculating industrial production index, Rosstat takes into account the dynamics of output and services in the commodities sector, manufacturing, heat and power generation, as well as in industries related to water supply and sanitation, waste management and the elimination of pollution.

The main driver of industrial production index growth in April 2023 was an increase of output in manufacturing (growth against April 2022 – (+)8.0%).

Mining sector increased by (+)3.1% compared to April 2022, however, compared to March 2023, there was a decrease by (-)3.8%.

The energy sector showed a decrease in the index both compared to April 2022 and to March 2023 by (-)1.4% and (-)14.6%, respectively. Industries related to water supply and sanitation, waste management and elimination of pollution decreased production volumes compared to April 2022 by (-)1.2%, but increased them compared to March 2023 – by (+)7.3%.

In the commodity sector, coal production increased significantly – by (+)8.4% compared to April 2022, by (+)0.5% compared to March 2023. In April 2023, metal ores were mined by (+)0.5% more than in April 2022, but by (-)0.8% less than in March 2023. At the same time, the extraction of other minerals, including stone, crushed stone and sand declined by (-)12.4% compared to April 2022 and by (-)11.6% compared to March 2023.

The publication of data on oil and gas production dynamics has been suspended in accordance with the order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated April 26, 2023 No. 1074-r.

In manufacturing, the maximum growth of output compared to April 2022 was shown by industries related to the production of finished metal products (except for machinery and equipment) – (+)30.0%, electrical equipment – (+)29.3%, motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers – (+)27.3%, production of computers and peripherals, optical and electronic products – (+) 23.8%, production of coke and petroleum products – (+)15.9%, furniture – (+)14, 4%, other vehicles (including aviation equipment, shipbuilding, etc.) – (+)11.7%, chemical products – (+)7.7%, rubber and plastic products – (+)6.7% , food – by (+)5.4%.

However, the volumes of wood processing and the production of wood and cork products (except furniture) decreased by (-)9.7%, the production of machinery and equipment not included in other groups (including machine tools, production of metallurgical, mining equipment, agricultural machinery etc.), – by (-)17.4%, medicines and materials used for medical purposes – by (-)9.0%, repair and installation of machinery and equipment – by (-)5.0 %.

Electricity generation decreased compared to April 2022 by (-)0.7%, steam and hot water generation – by (-)3.6%.

Compared to March 2023, most industries, both in the primary sector and in manufacturing, as well as in the energy sector, showed a decrease in performance.

In the first four months of 2023, only manufacturing showed an increase in the production index compared to the same period of 2022 – (+)2.9%. The largest decline in the index (-)7.9% was in sectors related to water supply and sanitation, waste management and elimination of pollution. Commodities sector showed a decrease in production compared to January-April 2022 by (-)1.8%, energy sector – by (-)0.5%. Electricity generation volumes decreased compared to January-April 2022 by (-)0.5%, steam and hot water generation – by (-)0.3%.

Industries showing growth in April 2023 compared to April 2022:

  • production of finished metal products (except for machinery and equipment) – (+)30.0%;
  • production of electrical equipment – (+)29.3%;
  • production of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers – (+)27.3%;
  • production of computers, electronic and optical products – (+)23.8%;
  • production of coke and oil products – (+)15.9%;
  • furniture manufacturing – (+)14.4%;
  • production of other vehicles (including aviation equipment, shipbuilding, etc.) – (+)11.7%;
  • production of leather and leather products – (+)11.5%;
  • coal mining – (+)8.4%;
  • production of chemicals and chemical products – (+)7.7%;
  • production of rubber and plastic products – (+)6.7%;
  • food production – (+)5.4% and beverage production – (+)1.5%;
  • tobacco production – (+)4.8%;
  • metallurgical production – (+)4.8%;
  • production of textiles – (+)1.1% and clothing – (+)3.3%;
  • mining of metal ores – (+)0.5%.

Industries that reduced production in April 2023 compared to the same period in 2022:

  • production of machinery and equipment not included in other groups (including machine tool building, production of metallurgical, mining equipment, agricultural machinery, etc.) – (-)17.4%;
  • printing activities and copying of information carriers – (-)15.0%;
  • extraction of other minerals, including stone, crushed stone and sand – (-)12.4%;
  • wood processing and production of wood and cork products – (-)9.7%;
  • production of medicines and materials used for medical purposes – (-)9.0%;
  • repair of machinery and equipment – (-)5.0%.

The average level of capacity utilization has recovered. In commodities in April 2023 – 57%, in manufacturing – 61%.

The number of managers who assess the current economic situation at the enterprise as favorable exceeds the number of pessimists. In mining – by 1.8%, in manufacturing – by 5.9%. In addition, both the commodity and manufacturing sectors shows a positive consensus on how the economic situation in enterprise will develop over the next six months. Nevertheless, so far more than half of the respondents give neutral assessments.

However, the assessments of managers of mining and manufacturing enterprises on the prospects of output over the next 3 months decreased from 18.8% to 14.9% and 28.0% to 25.6%, respectively, which illustrates the decline in the industrial production index in April compared to March 2023 (seasonally adjusted).

1Publication of information on oil and crude oil production has been temporarily suspended in pursuance of the order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated April 26, 2023 No. 1074-r

31 May 2023
19:58