The European industry took a tumble in March, failing to register any recovery, and continuing a slump that began in February.
According to the latest data released by Eurostat, the European statistical authority, industrial production across the single currency area fell by 0.8% in March. That was the same number as in February, but well below the consensus of economists, who saw a reading of 0.0% as most likely.
Here's how that looks as part of the long-term trend:
Eurostat
On a year-to-year basis, industrial production grew by 0.2% against a consensus estimate of 1.1%, and down from 0.8% growth last month.
Individually, the countries in Europe where production struggled the most in March were Ireland, Malta, Estonia, and Greece. Production in those economies fell 10.6%, 5.4%, 4.8%, and 4.1% respectively.
On a sector-to-sector basis, so-called non-durable consumer goods - cosmetics and cleaning products, food, fuel, beer, cigarettes, and medication - were the worst performing, dropping 1.9%.
According to Eurostat, the fall in industrial production "is due to production of non-durable consumer goods falling by 1.9%, capital goods by 1.1%, intermediate goods by 0.8% and durable consumer goods by 0.4%, while production of energy rose by 2.0%."
Eurostat's figures come just a week after a horrible set of