BERLIN (AFX) - German industrial output declined a seasonally adjusted 3.7 pct in March from February, and climbed 1.3 from March 2000 when adjusted only for the number of working days, the finance ministry said.
The ministry said the economic downturn had left its mark on the output figures, but it added it is usual for the March numbers to be revised upwards at a later date.
Construction output fell 13.6 pct from February, continuing falls in previous months, while manufacturing output shrunk by 3.0 pct as demand slumped, the ministry said
It said the "genuine collapse" in construction was due in part to the weather in March, which hindered the sector more than in previous years.
In western Germany output fell by 3.4 pct in March from February, while in east Germany it was 5.7 pct lower, it said.