Manufacturing output falls 2.7% in April

Annual production in Ireland's manufacturing industries declined 2.7 per cent in April, as the volume of computer and electrical goods fell.

The volume of computer, electronic and optical products fell 32 per cent, while food products fell 6.5 per cent.

The modern sector, which includes high-technology and chemical sectors saw production fall 2.6 per cent, while the traditional sector recorded a 3.4 per cent decrease.

"Quite clearly, indigenous industries are still suffering from the sluggish UK economy and weak sterling, but currency developments are now turning more favourable," said Bloxham economist Alan McQuaid.

Seasonally-adjusted volume for the three-month period from February to April 2010 was up 7.9 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier. Manufacturing output saw an 8.5 per cent rise over the same period.

On an annual basis turnover was 9.1 per cent lower when compared with April 2009.

"The fall off in production in April is clearly not welcomed, but one month's reading is too difficult to decipher," said NCB's Brian Devine. "The NCB manufacturing PMI survey signals that more firms are expanding output than are contracting it, so the underlying trend is in the right direction."