Sold Industrial Output in May 2026 Up by 4.1 Percent. What Does This Mean for the Subcontracting Sector?
Sold industrial output in May 2026 was 4.1 percent higher than a year earlier. This is another signal that industry remains an important area of economic activity, while manufacturing, technology and subcontracting companies operate in an environment that requires flexibility, efficient cooperation and access to reliable business partners.
According to Statistics Poland, sold industrial output decreased by 0.8 percent compared with April 2026. However, in the period from January to May, it was 3.1 percent higher than in the corresponding period of 2025. After eliminating the influence of seasonal factors, industrial output in May increased by 4.4 percent year on year and by 1.4 percent compared with April.
Intermediate and Capital Goods Record Growth
In May 2026, year-on-year growth was recorded in most main industrial groupings. The highest increase was observed in the production of intermediate goods, which rose by 7.5 percent. The production of energy-related goods also increased by 4.8 percent, while capital goods were up by 4.4 percent. The production of non-durable consumer goods grew by 0.5 percent, while durable consumer goods recorded a decrease of 4.6 percent.
For the subcontracting sector, data on intermediate and capital goods are particularly important. These areas are directly connected with demand for components, parts, semi-finished products, machining services, assembly, technological services and contract manufacturing.
Production Increased in 23 Industrial Divisions
According to preliminary data, sold industrial output increased year on year in 23 out of 34 industrial divisions. The share of divisions that recorded annual growth accounted for 76.8 percent of total industrial output.
The strongest increase was recorded in the manufacture of other transport equipment, which rose by 60.5 percent. Significant growth was also observed in waste collection, treatment and disposal activities and materials recovery, up by 14.8 percent, in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, up by 13.7 percent, and in the manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products, up by 12.2 percent.
Production of beverages and paper and paper products also increased, by 11.8 percent in both cases. The manufacture of machinery and equipment grew by 5.7 percent, while the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products rose by 5.3 percent.
Not All Industries Recorded Growth
A year-on-year decline in sold industrial output was recorded in 11 divisions. The largest decreases indicated by Statistics Poland concerned the manufacture of textiles, down by 10.8 percent, the manufacture of furniture, down by 7.1 percent, and the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, down by 4.4 percent.
In monthly terms, compared with April 2026, a decline was recorded in 22 out of 34 industrial divisions. This included, among others, the mining of coal and lignite, manufacture of furniture, manufacture of metal products, repair, maintenance and installation of machinery and equipment, manufacture of chemicals and chemical products, manufacture of rubber and plastic products, and manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers.
At the same time, month-on-month growth occurred in 12 divisions. The manufacture of other transport equipment stood out in particular, rising by 41.0 percent, followed by increases in the production of beverages, paper and paper products, and other non-metallic mineral products.
Industry Needs Efficient Cooperation Chains
The May data show a diverse picture of Polish industry. On the one hand, year-on-year growth is visible in most industrial divisions. On the other, some sectors are facing declines either in monthly or annual terms. In this environment, the ability to respond quickly to changes in demand, diversify suppliers and find new production partners becomes especially important.
For companies operating in industrial subcontracting, machining, component manufacturing, technological services, maintenance or production cooperation, the Statistics Poland data provide an important point of reference. They show which sectors are increasing activity, where development potential may appear and in which industries new models of cooperation may be needed.
Subcontracting Trade Fair is a platform where industrial companies can discuss these challenges directly. It is a meeting place for enterprises looking for contractors, suppliers, technologies and services that support production in a changing market environment.
Source of data: Statistics Poland, “Sold Production of Industry in May 2026”, preliminary data covering enterprises employing 10 or more persons.