UK Manufacturing Order Books Sink to 6-year Low

2026-06-23 10:20 By Agna Gabriel 1 min. read

The UK’s total order book balance fell to -45 in June 2026 from -41 in May, the lowest since September 2020 and worse than market expectations of -35.

Output volumes dropped across most sectors, with food, drink & tobacco, mechanical engineering, paper, printing & media, and metal products among the hardest hit.

Export demand also weakened, with export order books falling to -33 and remaining well below long-term averages.

Firms continue to describe both domestic and overseas orders as below “normal” levels, reflecting fragile global demand conditions.

Despite the downturn, selling price expectations remain elevated at 22, although this is a sharp easing from May’s 38.

CBI economist Cameron Martin said manufacturers are facing weak demand and high costs, while uncertainty is limiting investment.

He added that stabilisation in energy markets, including progress on US-Iran talks, could eventually ease pressures, but warned that recovery will take time.



News Stream
UK Manufacturing Order Books Sink to 6-year Low
The UK’s total order book balance fell to -45 in June 2026 from -41 in May, the lowest since September 2020 and worse than market expectations of -35. Output volumes dropped across most sectors, with food, drink & tobacco, mechanical engineering, paper, printing & media, and metal products among the hardest hit. Export demand also weakened, with export order books falling to -33 and remaining well below long-term averages. Firms continue to describe both domestic and overseas orders as below “normal” levels, reflecting fragile global demand conditions. Despite the downturn, selling price expectations remain elevated at 22, although this is a sharp easing from May’s 38. CBI economist Cameron Martin said manufacturers are facing weak demand and high costs, while uncertainty is limiting investment. He added that stabilisation in energy markets, including progress on US-Iran talks, could eventually ease pressures, but warned that recovery will take time.
2026-06-23
UK Manufacturing Order Books Weakest Since 2020
The UK’s total order book balance fell to -41 in May 2026 from -38 in April, slightly worse than market expectations of -40, CBI data showed. The reading is the lowest since September 2020 and well below its long-term average of -14. The Middle East conflict is feeding through to higher energy costs and renewed supply chain disruption, adding to challenges for manufacturers against an increasingly uncertain global backdrop. Weak demand persists, with selling price expectations rising to their strongest level since 2023. Output declined in 13 of 17 sub-sectors in the three months to May, led by falls in food, drink & tobacco, mechanical engineering, metal products, and paper, printing & media. Stocks of finished goods were seen as adequate, though the balance remained below historical norms.
2026-05-21
UK Order Books Plunge in April
The UK’s total order book balance crashed to -38 in April 2026 from -27 in March, missing expectations of -30 and hitting its lowest level since October 2025, according to the CBI. The reading now sits far below its long-term average of -14. Meanwhile, expected price pressures soared to +32 from +12 in March, marking the sharpest monthly jump since records began in 1975, driven by the Iran war’s economic ripple effects. Business optimism collapsed, with the quarterly outlook measure plunging to -65 (from -19 in January). Investment plans for buildings, machinery, and training also weakened to their lowest since April 2020.
2026-04-23