Production: results for March 2026

Manufacturing production increased by 0,9% in March 2026 compared with March 2025. The largest positive contributions were made by the following divisions:

·        food and beverages (3,5% and contributing 0,9 of a percentage point);

·        petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (1,8% and contributing 0,4 of a percentage point); and

·        electrical machinery (11,9% and contributing 0,3 of a percentage point).

The largest negative contributor was the wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing division (-8,6% and contributing -0,8 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production increased by 0,8% in March 2026 compared with February 2026. This followed month-on-month changes of -1,8% in February 2026 and 1,7% in January 2026.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production decreased by 1,0% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the fourth quarter of 2025. Five of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates over this period. The following divisions reported the largest negative contributions:

·        petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (-3,4% and contributing -0,7 of a percentage point);

·        basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (-1,4% and contributing -0,3 of a percentage point); and

·        wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (-2,4% and contributing -0,2 of a percentage point).

Sales: results for March 2026

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased by 1,6% in March 2026 compared with February 2026. This followed month-on-month changes of 0,1% in February 2026 and 3,1% in January 2026.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased by 0,4% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the fourth quarter of 2025. The largest positive contributions were made by the basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery division (3,1% and contributing 0,6 of a percentage point) and the glass and non-metallic mineral products division (9,9% and contributing 0,3 of a percentage point).