The Netherlands’ Central Bureau for Statistics has announced figures for the third quarter showing the first fall in industrial sales for two years. Domestic sales were down 4% while exports fell 2%. Industrial output also fell 2.4% during the quarter.

The poor sales for the quarter were overshadowed however by the dramatic falls in September, when industrial sales fell 8%. Textile and leather sales were among those that experienced a significant decline - down 8% from a year ago, while worst hit were oil and chemical sales which plummeted 11%. Output also fell in all industry sectors including the textiles, clothing and leather sectors where it fell 1.7%.

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