Industry in Macedonia records 0.8 per cent growth, domestic demand remains weak

Industrial turnover in Macedonia recorded slight growth in May this year, but the figures show that the sector’s recovery continues to be slow. According to the latest data from the State Statistical Office (SSO), annual growth reached 0.8 per cent, driven mainly by sales in foreign markets, while the domestic market remains under pressure.

In May 2026, total industrial turnover was 0.8 per cent higher than in the same month a year earlier. Compared with April this year, however, industrial activity declined by 0.6 per cent. For the January-May 2026 period, cumulative growth was just 0.3 per cent compared with the first five months of 2025.

Significant differences were recorded among product categories. Capital goods made the largest contribution to growth, with turnover rising by 5.3 per cent. This category is generally linked to machinery and equipment for investment, meaning the result may signal increased activity in industrial investment.

Most other groups recorded declines. Turnover in intermediate goods, excluding energy, fell by 0.7 per cent. Durable consumer goods declined by 6.9 per cent, while non-durable consumer goods saw a decrease of 3.5 per cent. These figures show that the positive result was supported by a limited number of activities, while the rest of industry continues to face obstacles.

The results also vary by market. In the domestic market, industrial turnover in May was 1.8 per cent lower than in May last year, reflecting weaker demand within the country. By contrast, turnover in foreign markets increased by 1.8 per cent, keeping exports among the main factors sustaining the industry’s positive result.

The same trend is evident in the first five months of the year. Turnover in the domestic market rose by 1.2 per cent, while growth in foreign markets was only 0.2 per cent. This suggests that, despite the support provided by exports in May, growth momentum throughout the year remains limited.

The overall result was significantly influenced by the manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products, which grew by 5.1 per cent; the manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment, which rose by 1.5 per cent; and the manufacture of machinery and equipment, where growth reached 18.8 per cent. The statistics show a wide gap between industrial branches: some recorded double-digit growth, while other sectors registered significant declines.

Although industry remained in positive territory, growth of 0.8 per cent remains minimal. Weak domestic demand continues to be one of the main challenges, while reliance on exports indicates that the sector has not yet entered a phase of sustainable expansion. (koha.mk)