Poland: Polish manufacturing sector faces challenges amid optimism
The S&P Global Poland Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 45.9 in April from 48.0 in March. As a result, the index moved further below the 50.0 no-change threshold, and signaled a faster deterioration in manufacturing sector operating conditions compared to the previous month.
In April, demand for Polish manufactured goods weakened further, with new orders falling for the twenty-sixth consecutive month, the longest decline on record. The pace of contraction in new orders accelerated, while employment fell at the fastest rate in five months.
Inflationary pressures in the Polish manufacturing sector weakened in April, continuing a trend observed since April 2023. Average input costs fell, driven by lower steel prices and increased supplier competition, leading to a reduction in output prices for the thirteenth consecutive month. Despite these challenges, Polish goods producers remained cautiously optimistic about the future, hoping for a recovery in market conditions and higher exports, although growth forecasts were the weakest in six months and below the long-term trend.