In the three months to March 2018, the Index of Production increased by 0.6% compared with the three months to December 2017, due mainly to a rise of 2.5% in energy supply; this was supported by rises in mining and quarrying of 2.2% and manufacturing of 0.2%.

The three-monthly rise in manufacturing is due mainly to rises in machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified (4.1%), transport equipment (1.7%) and computer, electronic and optical equipment (4.4%).

In the three months to March 2018 growth has fallen due mainly to a reduction in the growth rate of both export and domestic turnover, and a slow-down in basic metals and metal products due to a high growth in the three months to December 2017.

In March 2018, total production was estimated to have increased by 0.1% compared with February 2018.