Singapore's manufacturing output declined 5.4 percent in October on a year-on-year basis, with the output of electronics cluster encountering a sharp decline, data released by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) showed on Thursday.

EDB said excluding biomedical manufacturing, the country's manufacturing output fell 6.4 percent. While on a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, manufacturing output increased 2.5 percent in October compared to the previous month. Excluding biomedical manufacturing, the output grew 1.7 percent.

The electronics cluster's output fell 14.0 percent in October on a year-on-year basis. Data storage and other electronic modules and components segments recorded output growth of 10.1 percent and 23.9 percent respectively, while the rest of the electronics segments registered output declines.

EDB said the precision engineering cluster decreased 6.9 percent in October compared to a year ago. The machinery and systems segment declined 2.7 percent, while precision modules and components segment fell 11.3 percent.

Output of the transport engineering cluster declined 4.0 percent year-on-year in October, weighed down by the marine and offshore engineering and land transport segments. Lower level of rig-building and ship-building activities contributed to the decline in the marine and offshore engineering segment. The aerospace segment increased 6.1 percent on the back of more engine repair jobs.

The biomedical manufacturing cluster fell 1.6 percent in October on a year-on-year basis, said EDB. The medical technology segment grew 36.2 percent due to strong export demand for medical devices and supplies. However, this was offset by a 10.8 percent decline in the pharmaceuticals segment.

Output of the chemicals cluster increased 5.5 percent in October compared to a year ago, with petroleum and petrochemicals segments increasing 9.7 percent and 4.0 percent respectively. The specialties segment recorded growth of 7.2 percent on the back of expanded production capacities. On the other hand, the other chemicals segment declined 1.6 percent.

The general manufacturing cluster's output increased 0.6 percent year-on-year in October. The miscellaneous industries segment registered an increase of 2.0 percent, while the food, beverages and tobacco segment increased 1.6 percent. In contrast, the printing segment declined 5.4 percent with lower demand for commercial printing.