Irish manufacturing stalls amid second global wave of Covid-19

Weakening demand as a result of the second wave to Covid-19 and restrictions on activity are major factors 

"Brexit and the stalled UK-EU trade talks are also cited as another source of growing uncertainty," File Picture; David Creedon / Anzenberger

A rapid recovery in Irish manufacturing activity came to a shuddering halt last month, according to a leading survey,  sounding a warning about worsening economic conditions amid the global second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Irish manufacturing had proved to be extraordinarily resilient over the summer months, helped by the lifting of global restrictions, but the AIB purchasing managers' index that tracks all types of factories based in Ireland, ended a summer winning streak to register "a stagnant" reading in September.