Manufacturers show resilience despite rising inflation and geopolitical uncertainty

AIB chief economist said output growth in March was due to sustained gains in output, exports and employment, despite signs of rising input prices from the Middle East conflict

Supply chain challenges persisted in March, with delivery times lengthening for the eleventh successive month, AIB warned. Picture; David Creedon / Anzenberger

Resilient business conditions were signalled in the manufacturing sector during March, with output growth accelerating despite challenges from intensifying cost inflation and rising uncertainty, AIB has said.

Publishing its Manufacturing PMI for last month, the lender said output growth was supported by stronger order books amid the fastest rise in export sales for just over four years.