Irish manufacturers see steepest rise in costs since 2022

April 30, 2026 8:10 PM EDT

A view of the Dublin Port, in Dublin, Ireland, January 17, 2026. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

DUBLIN, May 1 (Reuters) - ‌Irish manufacturing ​activity ​grew at the fastest pace in four years in April, but ‌firms also faced their sharpest rise in ⁠input costs since September 2022 on the back ‌of the war in ‌the Middle East, a survey published by S&P Global showed on Friday.

The AIB ​Ireland Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) improved to 54.9 from 53.7 in March, ⁠its highest level since May 2022. Any reading above 50 ​indicates growth in activity.

"The expansion in April was due to sustained gains ​in output and new ‌export orders, in part reflecting a temporary boost to demand ⁠and stock building due to the Middle East conflict," said AIB's Chief Economist, David McNamara.

But ⁠the rate of input inflation also accelerated sharply, ​with raw materials, shipping costs and fuel surcharges the key drivers, McNamara said.

Expectations regarding business activity ‌in the year ahead also took a hit, with around 38% ‌of the survey panel forecasting an increase ⁠in production, down from ‌44% in ​the prior month, the survey found.

(Reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Hugh ‌Lawson)



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