Malta Industrial Output Rebounds in January

Industrial production in Malta grew by 5.7% year-on-year in January 2026, rebounding from an upwardly revised 6.5% decline in the previous month. This marked the first month of growth since October 2025 and the fastest in seven months, driven by higher output in the manufacturing sector (5.1% vs -7.4% in December), particularly in computer, electronic and optical products and motor vehicles (38.0%), followed by wood, paper products and printing (17.1%), and chemical and pharmaceutical products (9.1%). Across main industrial groupings, output accelerated for energy (15.6% vs 8.6%) and intermediate goods (23.7% vs -9.9%), while it declined for capital goods (-17% vs -2.5%), consumer goods (-0.8% vs -3.6%), and consumer non-durable goods (-1% vs -4.8%). Production growth also slowed for consumer durable goods (0.5% vs 7%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, industrial activity rose by 2.5% in January, easing from a downwardly revised 3.6% gain in December.

Malta’s industrial production fell by 6% year-on-year in December 2025, moderating from a downwardly revised 7.8% drop that marked a near four-year low in the previous month. The slowdown was mainly driven by higher output in the manufacturing sector (-7% vs -9%), particularly in the production of rubber, plastic, and other non-metallic mineral products (+20.6%), chemical and pharmaceutical products (+8.5%), and food products and beverages (+1.4%). Across main industrial groupings, gains were recorded in energy production (8.7% vs 3.7%), while activity rebounded in capital goods (4.4% vs -7.1%). Production also declined at a slower pace for intermediate goods (-8.8% versus -11.8%). On the other hand, activity fell further in consumer non-durable goods (-6.9% versus -2.8%), consumer goods (-6.9% versus -1.2%), and consumer durable goods (-5.6% versus 5.6%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, industrial activity grew by 4.2% in December, recovering from a 0.1% fall in November.

Malta’s industrial production declined 8.2% year-on-year in November 2025, following a revised 0.2% gain in the previous month. This was the steepest fall since April 2022, weighed down by lower output in the manufacturing sector (-9%), particularly in the production of computer, electronic and optical products, and motor vehicles (-29.5%), food and beverages (-7.8%), and other manufacturing (-4.1%). Across main industrial groupings, decreases were seen in intermediate goods (-12% vs 14% in October), capital goods (-6.8% vs -8.1%), and consumer goods (-2.6% vs 0%), while energy production picked up (3.7% vs 3.2%). Excluding energy, industrial output dropped 8.7%, after showing no growth in October. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, industrial activity fell by 1.3% in November, following a revised 0.1% rise in October.