Turkey's manufacturing capacity usage up in March

By Gokhan Ergocun</p> <p>ISTANBUL (AA) – Capacity utilization rate in the Turkish manufacturing industry rose in March on a monthly basis, Turkey’s Central Bank said on Monday. </p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.