Core sector growth hits 16-month low at 3.5% in Nov due to oil, fertilisers

Crude oil and fertiliser production recorded negative growth of 3.5% and 8.1%, respectively

Eight core industries grew at their slowest pace in 16 months at 3.5 per cent in November due to a fall in the output of crude oil and fertilisers, official data showed on Monday.  

The previous lowest expansion in output growth of these key industries was recorded at 2.9 per cent in July 2017.

The growth rate of eight infrastructure sectors -- coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity -- was 6.9 per cent in November last year.

Crude oil and fertiliser production recorded negative growth of 3.5 per cent and 8.1 per cent, respectively, as per