The restrained situation in the construction industry continued in March. Compared to February, orders recovered by 0.9 percent if price increases and seasonal influences are factored out, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office. Compared to the same month last year, however, around 20.1 percent fewer orders were received in real terms. Only the significantly increased construction prices ensured that the nominal value of the new orders was only 7.9 percent below the previous year’s value. On the revenue side, companies in the main construction trades achieved sales of around EUR 9 billion in March, 5.7 percent more than a year earlier. Here, too, the strong price increases play a role: adjusted for price, the business has shrunk by 8.2 percent. There was also a real decline of 8.2 percent in the first quarter.
Federal Statistical Office – Slack in construction continues – Economy
