Core sector growth slowed to 2.5 per cent in March from 7 per cent in the same month a year ago as output of crude oil, natural gas and fertiliser declined. For 2013-14, core sector growth slowed to 2.6 per cent from 6.5 per cent in 2012-13, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In January and February, the eight sectors grew by 1.6 per cent and 4.5 per cent, respectively. The eight core industries — fertilisers, cement, steel, electricity, crude oil, coal, petroleum refinery products and natural gas — have a combined weight of about 38 per cent in the Index of Industrial Production.In January and February, the eight sectors grew by 1.6 per cent and 4.5 per cent, respectively.