Välituotteiden

Välituotteet, in English commonly called intermediate goods, are goods that are used as inputs in the production of other goods or services rather than being sold directly to final consumers. They include raw materials, component parts, and semi-finished products that are transformed, assembled, or integrated during manufacturing. Examples range from steel used in automobile production to electronic components in consumer devices, as well as energy and chemical inputs.

In economic accounting, välituotteet are distinguished from final goods. They contribute to gross production but are not counted as final consumption. The value of välituotteet consumed in production is subtracted from total output to calculate value added, which reflects the contribution of labor and capital to the economy. This framework helps avoid double counting in national accounts and supports input–output analyses that trace how sectors depend on one another.

The structure and flow of välituotteiden markets are shaped by industrial specialization and global value chains. Many economies rely on importing and exporting intermediate goods, which can affect competitiveness, pricing, and resilience to disruptions. Firms manage välituotteiden through procurement strategies, supplier relationships, and inventory practices, with approaches such as just‑in‑time manufacturing aimed at reducing holding costs while increasing exposure to supply risks.

Välituotteiden is the possessive form used in Finnish to reference items within this category, for example in discussing the value or availability of intermediate goods in a particular sector. The term is widely used in Finnish economic literature and statistics.