Polish Manufacturing Downturn Unexpectedly Deepens

2026-03-02 08:07 By Kyrie Dichosa 1 min. read

Poland’s S&P Global Manufacturing PMI fell to 47.1 in February 2026 from 48.8 in January, below the expected 49.2, signaling the sharpest deterioration in business conditions since August 2025.

New orders contracted to its steepest pace in seven months, alongside renewed declines in employment and purchasing activity.

Output also fell for a tenth straight month, though the pace of decline eased and was the slowest since November.

Export orders continued to weaken but at a comparatively modest rate.

Backlogs of work declined again, prompting firms to cut staff at the fastest rate since May 2024.

Meanwhile, input cost inflation accelerated sharply to a 37-month high, largely reflecting higher raw material prices, particularly metals and wood products.

Despite rising costs, weak demand limited firms’ ability to raise selling prices.

Business confidence remained positive, supported by expectations of improved economic conditions and stronger demand over the coming year.



News Stream
Polish Manufacturing Downturn Unexpectedly Deepens
Poland’s S&P Global Manufacturing PMI fell to 47.1 in February 2026 from 48.8 in January, below the expected 49.2, signaling the sharpest deterioration in business conditions since August 2025. New orders contracted to its steepest pace in seven months, alongside renewed declines in employment and purchasing activity. Output also fell for a tenth straight month, though the pace of decline eased and was the slowest since November. Export orders continued to weaken but at a comparatively modest rate. Backlogs of work declined again, prompting firms to cut staff at the fastest rate since May 2024. Meanwhile, input cost inflation accelerated sharply to a 37-month high, largely reflecting higher raw material prices, particularly metals and wood products. Despite rising costs, weak demand limited firms’ ability to raise selling prices. Business confidence remained positive, supported by expectations of improved economic conditions and stronger demand over the coming year.
2026-03-02
Polish Manufacturing Downturn Slightly Softens
Poland’s S&P Global Manufacturing PMI edged up to 48.8 in January from 48.5 in December, below the expected 49, and remained in contraction for a ninth straight month, though it signaled a slower deterioration. Output and new orders continued to decline but at softer rates, while export demand weakened only marginally despite ongoing softness in German markets. Backlogs of work rose for just the third time in nearly four years, supporting a rebound in purchasing activity, with input stocks increasing at the fastest pace since mid-2022. Employment declined at a quicker rate. On prices, input costs rose modestly for a third consecutive month amid subdued inflation pressures, while output prices increased only slightly. Business confidence strengthened sharply, with output expectations reaching their highest level since June 2021 on hopes of demand recovery, investment, and new markets.
2026-02-02
Polish Factory Downturn Deepens in December
Poland’s S&P Global Manufacturing PMI fell to 48.5 in December from 49.1 in November, marking the eighth consecutive month of contraction and the fastest decline since August. Output decreased at a quicker pace amid weaker new orders, particularly from German and French markets, while new export orders also declined. Employment and purchasing activity contracted only slightly, and stocks of purchases fell modestly. Supplier delivery times lengthened further, though backlogs of work remained above the long-run trend. On prices, input costs rose for the second consecutive month, partly due to higher plastics, metals, and duties, while output prices fell for the third time in four months. On a positive note, business confidence improved notably, with the Future Output Index posting its second-largest gain in five years, supported by expected market recovery, new customers, and development projects, returning optimism to the long-run average.
2026-01-02