New Delhi: India's eight core sectors posted a growth of 5.2% in March, slower than February, which was reported at 7.1%, according to government data.

The number was higher than March 2023 at 4.2%, moneycontrol reported.

The eight core infrastructure sectors comprise coal, crude oil, steel, cement, electricity, fertilizers, refinery products, and natural gas.

The slowdown in March growth was attributed to lower crude oil production and contraction in refinery products and fertilisers, per the data released by the ministry of commerce and industries.

Refinery and fertilisers output contracted by 0.3% and 1.3%, respectively, in March. Crude oil, natural gas and steel production also slowed.

Mint reported natural gas production expanded by 6.3%, coal by 8.7%, steel by 5.5%, and crude oil by 2%.

Crude production fell month-on-month from 7.9% to 2%. In February, natural gas production grew 11.3% and steel production 9.1%.

In March, electricity and cement sectors reported a growth of 8% and 10.6%, respectively.

Refinery products (-0.3%) significantly impacted the production index of the eight core industries, given its highest weightage of 28.04%, the business daily reported.

Experts told the newspaper that natural gas, which has experienced growth, however, refineries, which have seen a slight decline, is primarily driven by lower growth in exports.

Global developments also had a bearing on refinery products, considering its substantial share in exports, it added.

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