Turkey's manufacturing capacity usage up in March

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Capacity utilization rate in the Turkish manufacturing industry rose in March on a monthly basis, Turkey’s Central Bank said on Monday.

The rate reached 74.3 percent this month, with an increase of 0.3 percentage points from February, a survey conducted by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) revealed.

The capacity utilization rate (CUR) figures are based on responses to the bank's business tendency survey by local units operating in the manufacturing industry, according to the bank.

The bank said the monthly data does not reflect the bank’s views or predictions, while some 1,738 companies responded to the survey in March.

Among over 20 sectors, the highest CUR was seen among manufacturers of ready-wear apparel with 82.92 percent, in March. The month's lowest capacity usage was seen among manufacturers of leather and related products, with 60.37 percent.

In the six main industrial groups, the highest capacity usage was 73.80 percent for non-durable consumer goods, while the lowest CUR was 70.60 percent for durable consumer goods.