According to the provisional results of a survey released today (March 14) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole increased by 5.8% in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared with the same quarter of 2020, following a year-on-year increase of 7.6% in the third quarter of 2021. The corresponding producer price index increased by 1.2% in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared with the same quarter of 2020, as against a year-on-year decrease of 0.8% in the third quarter of 2021.

     The index of industrial production for sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 5.0% in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared with the same quarter of 2020, following a year-on-year increase of 1.2% in the third quarter of 2021. The corresponding producer price index increased by 6.2% in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared with the same quarter of 2020, following a year-on-year increase of 4.4% in the third quarter of 2021.

     Indices of industrial production reflect changes in the volume of local industrial output after discounting the effect of price changes. The price changes are measured by the producer price indices compiled from data on producer prices of selected industrial goods/services collected in the same survey.

     Comparing the industrial production in respect of major manufacturing industries in the fourth quarter of 2021 with the same quarter of 2020, increases in output volume were recorded mainly in the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+10.4%); the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (+2.0%); and the textiles and wearing apparel industry (+0.5%). On the other hand, a decrease in output volume was recorded in the metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry (-1.6%).

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole decreased by 1.7% in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared with the third quarter of 2021.

     For 2021 as a whole, the indices of industrial production for manufacturing industries as well as sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 5.5% and 2.4% respectively compared with 2020.

     Producer price indices reflect changes in the prices of local output. They measure changes in the actual prices (net of any discounts or rebates allowed to buyers, plus any surcharges) received by producers for their output. Transportation and other incidental charges are not included.

     Comparing the fourth quarter of 2021 with the same quarter of 2020, increases in producer price were recorded mainly in the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+1.9%); the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (+1.7%); and the metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry (+0.6%). On the other hand, the producer price in the textiles and wearing apparel industry remained virtually unchanged.

     For 2021 as a whole, the producer price index for manufacturing industries as well as sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 1.2% and 4.1% respectively compared with 2020.

     Table 1 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the indices of industrial production by selected industry grouping.  Table 2 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the producer price indices for the industrial sector by selected industry grouping.

     The revised figures on indices of industrial production and producer price indices for the industrial sector for the fourth quarter of 2021 and the whole year of 2021 will be released at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/page_8000.html) and relevant publications of the Department starting from April 21, 2022.

     Users can download the reports "Quarterly Index of Industrial Production, 4th Quarter 2021" (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1070002&scode=310) and "Quarterly Producer Price Index for Industrial Sector, 4th Quarter 2021" (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1070003&scode=280) at the website of the C&SD.

     For enquiries about indices of industrial production and producer price indices, please contact the Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7247; email: ind-production@censtatd.gov.hk).

Ends/Monday, March 14, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:30

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