Seasonally adjusted industrial production in the 12-member euro-zone rose by 0.2 percent in July compared to June, said Eurostat, the statistical agency of the European Union (EU), on Wednesday.

Production increased by 0.4 percent in June, but fell by the same rate in May.

In all the 25 members of the EU, output grew by 0.1 percent in July after a rise of 0.4 percent in June and a fall of 0.3 percent in May, said the office.

Compared to July 2004, industrial production in July 2005 rose by 0.5 percent in the euro-zone and by 0.6 percent EU-wide.

In July 2005 compared to June, production of intermediate goods increased by 0.8 percent in the euro-zone and by 1.0 percent in the 25 EU members.

Non-durable consumer goods grew by 0.3 percent in both zones, and production of capital goods rose by 0.2 percent in the euro- zone and by 0.3 percent EU-wide.

Durable consumer goods declined by 0.5 percent in both zones, and production of energy fell by 0.7 percent in the euro-zone and by 1.1 percent in the 25 EU members.

On monthly basis, among the EU member for which data are available, industrial production rose in 11 countries and fell in 10 in July 2005. The highest increases were registered in Ireland (7.6 percent), Finland (5.6 percent), Estonia (2.8 percent), Hungary and Slovenia (both 1.2 percent).

The largest decreases were recorded in Portugal (-6.3 percent), Denmark (-4.6 percent), Lithuania (-4.2 percent) and Belgium (-1.7 percent).

In July 2005 compared to July 2004, production of capital goods rose by 2.2 percent in the euro-zone and by 2.8 percent in all the 25 EU members.

Energy grew by 1.8 percent in the euro-zone, but fell by 1.0 percent EU-wide.

Non-durable consumer goods gained 0.6 percent and 1.3 percent respectively. Production of intermediate goods decreased by 0.1 percent in the euro-zone, but rose by same rate EU-wide, while durable consumer goods fell by 2.0 percent in the euro-zone and by 1.9 percent in the whole EU.

On yearly basis, among the EU members for which data are available, industrial production rose in 12 countries and fell in eight. Denmark saw no change.

The highest increases were registered in Estonia (11.1 percent), Hungary (8.4 percent), Latvia (6.9 percent) and Sweden (6.5 percent), while the largest decreases were recorded in Greece (-4. 5 percent), Belgium (-3.9 percent), Ireland (-3.4 percent) and France (-2.4 percent).

Euro-zone is made up of Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland.

Source: Xinhua