Irish Manufacturing Growth Strongest Since 2022

2026-05-01 00:36 By Czyrill Jean Coloma 1 min. read

The AIB Ireland Manufacturing PMI rose to 54.9 in April 2026 from 53.7 in the previous motnh.

It marked the highest reading since May 2022, inidicating a clear signal of solid expansion.

Output growth remained robust, supported by improved order books and resilient demand.

Subsequently, new orders grew at the fastest pace in a year, mainly due to a surge in export sales.

Employment also expanded strongly, with hiring rising at one of the quickest rates since June 2022 as firms invested in capacity and long-term growth.

Meanwhile, suppliers’ delivery times lengthened to the greatest extent in three and a half years, with firms citing fuel protests and ongoing international shipping delays.

On the price front, input prices accelerated to its highest level since September 2022, reflecting higher fuel surcharges, transport costs, and raw material prices.

Finally, sentiment weakened notably, falling to over two-year low amid concerns about the longer-term impact of the Middle East conflict.



News Stream
Irish Manufacturing Growth Strongest Since 2022
The AIB Ireland Manufacturing PMI rose to 54.9 in April 2026 from 53.7 in the previous motnh. It marked the highest reading since May 2022, inidicating a clear signal of solid expansion. Output growth remained robust, supported by improved order books and resilient demand. Subsequently, new orders grew at the fastest pace in a year, mainly due to a surge in export sales. Employment also expanded strongly, with hiring rising at one of the quickest rates since June 2022 as firms invested in capacity and long-term growth. Meanwhile, suppliers’ delivery times lengthened to the greatest extent in three and a half years, with firms citing fuel protests and ongoing international shipping delays. On the price front, input prices accelerated to its highest level since September 2022, reflecting higher fuel surcharges, transport costs, and raw material prices. Finally, sentiment weakened notably, falling to over two-year low amid concerns about the longer-term impact of the Middle East conflict.
2026-05-01
Irish Manufacturing Growth Strongest in 9 Months
The AIB Ireland Manufacturing PMI increased to 53.7 in March 2026 from February’s 53.1, marking the highest reading since June 2025. The improvement was supported by stronger order books, amid the fastest rise in export sales in just over four years. Output growth accelerated despite challenges from intensifying cost inflation and rising global economic uncertainty. The job creation eased only slightly from February's 44-month high. Supply chain challenges persisted, with delivery times lengthening for the eleventh successive month due to international shipping delays. As a result, input cost inflation accelerated to the highest level since December 2022, driven by higher energy, fuel, metals, and polymers prices. Meanwhile, output prices rose the most since September 2024, as firms needed to pass on higher fuel and raw material costs. Lastly, business sentiment weakened to its lowest level since July 2025, due to the impact of the war in the Middle East on demand.
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The AIB Ireland Manufacturing PMI rose to 53.1 in February 2026, after holding steady at 52.2 in the previous month. This marked the highest reading since July 2025, as output expanded at its fastest pace in seven months, supported by improved demand across global markets. Moreover, new orders picked up from January’s five-month low, with the latest survey showing the fastest increase in new business from abroad since March 2025. Employment growth accelerated to its strongest pace since June 2022. On the price front, input prices climbed to its fastest rate since January 2023, fueled by rising copper, steel, and precious metals prices, as well as the impact of elevated energy costs, while output charges rose only moderately, slower than in January. Looking ahead, business optimism strengthened, though slightly less pronounced than last month, underpinned by expectations of improving customer demand and planned expansion in export markets.
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