Production output up 45% in March

Ireland’s manufacturing industries showed strong growth in March — according to new CSO data — with production levels rising nearly 3% in the month and by as much as 45.5% on a year-on-year basis.

The monthly increase was driven by the so-called ‘modern’ sector — comprising high-tech and pharma sectors — which showed a near 8% production increase. Industrial output in the domestic ‘traditional’ sector was down by almost 3% in comparison.

According to commentators, the fresh data shows that the export sector has seen an exceptionally strong performance in the early part of the year.