March: India’s core sector growth lowest since October 2013

India’s core sector growth contracted by 0.1% in March 2015, the lowest recorded performance since October 2013. As a point of comparison, core sector output increased by 4% in March 2014 and grew by 1.4% in February 2015.

Cement output fell by 4.2% in March 2015, with steel production down 4.4%. Refinery products and natural gas dropped by 1.3% and 1.5%, respectively. Coal output demonstrated the largest growth at 6%, while crude oil and fertilizer output increased by 1.7% and 5.2%, respectively. Electricity generation was up by 1.7%.

These eight core sectors represent 38% of India’s index of industrial production.

Edited from various sources by Louise Fordham

Additional sources:

• The Times of India.
• The Economic Times.
• Live Mint.
• Business Standard.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/asia-pacific-rim/01052015/india-core-sector-contracts-in-march-2015-772/