Factory output dipped 1.1% in February

The electronics sector saw the sharpest decline in output at 17.3%.

Singapore’s manufacturing output dipped 1.1% YoY in February, according to data from the Economic Development Board (EDB). On a MoM SA basis, manufacturing output crashed 22.3%.

Excluding biomedical manufacturing, output fell 2.5% YoY and 17.9% MoM SA.

Output for precision engineering saw the biggest rise at 26.2% YoY, as production the previous year was low due in part to the Lunar New Year holidays. The machinery and systems segment leapt 29.4% from higher production of semiconductor and lifting & handling equipment. Meanwhile, the precision modules and components segment grew 20.1%.

In contrast, electronics output fell 17.3% YoY. The other electronic modules and components segment rose 14.9%, whilst the rest of the electronic segments recorded a decline in output.

General manufacturing output expanded 16.1%, with all segments within the cluster recorded output growth on the back of fewer production days. The miscellaneous industries, printing, as well as food, beverage & tobacco segments jumped 25.7%, 17.5% and 9.3%, respectively.

Transport engineering output climbed 10.9%, boosted by the aerospace segment with a 17.9% rise with higher levels of repair and maintenance activities from commercial airlines. The marine and offshore engineering segment grew 5.6%.

The output for biomedical manufacturing went up 6.4%. Output of the medical technology segment grew 9.1% with higher export demand for medical devices, whilst pharmaceuticals output rose 5.3%, with increased production of biological products.

Chemicals output edged up 5.2%, with the specialties, petrochemicals and petroleum refining segments expanding 11.5%, 5.3% and 3.2% respectively, whilst the other chemicals segment declined 2.0%.