Bulgaria has recorded the largest drop in industrial production within the European Union for the fifth month in a row, according to preliminary data from Eurostat.
In October, the country’s industrial output fell by 7.6% compared to the same month in 2024, a sharper decline than the 5.7% contraction reported in September. In contrast, industrial production across the EU rose by 1.9% YoY, while the eurozone saw an increase of 2.0%.
Among EU member states, the strongest annual growth in October was observed in Ireland and Latvia, both up by 8.7%, followed by Greece with 6.9% and Sweden at 5.7%. After Bulgaria, Slovakia and Hungary reported the largest annual declines, at 3.7% and 2.6% respectively.
Within the euro area, all main industrial goods categories recorded growth compared to a year earlier, with energy rising by 4.5% and non-durable consumer goods up by 4.9%. Across the EU, non-durable consumer goods led growth at 4.4%, followed by energy at 3.4%.
On a monthly basis, October production edged up by 0.3% in the EU and by 0.8% in the eurozone compared to September. Ireland saw the highest monthly increase at 4.0%, followed by Luxembourg with 3.6% and Croatia at 3.1%. Sweden experienced the largest decline at 6.5%, with Belgium down 3.4% and Denmark 3.2%. (Novinite)