Production: results for May 2026

Manufacturing production decreased by 4,3% in May 2026 compared with May 2025. The largest negative contributions were made by the following divisions:

·         food and beverages (-6,4% and contributing -1,6 percentage points);

·         basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (-5,6% and contributing -1,3 percentage points); and

·         wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (-11,0% and contributing -1,0 percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production increased by 1,1% in May 2026 compared with April 2026. This followed month-on-month changes of -2,6% in April 2026 and 1,1% in March 2026.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production decreased by 1,0% in the three months ended May 2026 compared with the previous three months. Six of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates over this period. The following divisions reported the largest negative contributions:

·         wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (-3,3% and contributing -0,3 of a percentage point);

·         petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (-1,5% and contributing -0,3 of a percentage point); and

·         furniture and ‘other’ manufacturing (-5,4% and contributing -0,2 of a percentage point).

Sales: results for May 2026

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales decreased by 1,8% in May 2026 compared with April 2026. This followed month-on-month changes of 0,7% in April 2026 and 2,2% in March 2026.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sales increased by 3,2% in the three months ended May 2026 compared with the previous three months. The largest positive contributions were made by the motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division (12,8% and contributing 1,6 percentage points) and the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division (5,4% and contributing 1,2 percentage points).