In May 2026, output was lower than a year earlier for 266 of the 478 products surveyed, while it was higher for 199. The picture remained highly diversified: hard coal production increased by 20.2% year on year, while passenger car output fell by 20.8%. Durable consumer goods also recorded notable declines, including vacuum cleaners (−40.7%) and bicycles (−21.0%).
Industrial production in May 2026: most products declined year on year, coal output rose sharply while car production fell
24 June 2026 · Own analysis based on Statistics Poland data
Overall picture: declines outnumber increases
Of the 478 products covered by the manufactured output survey, 199 recorded higher output than in May 2025, while 266 recorded lower output. On a monthly basis, compared with April 2026, output declined for 242 products and increased for 219. Cumulatively, from January to May 2026, declines also prevailed: output fell for 248 products, compared with increases for 216.
Output growth for selected products — May 2026 vs May 2025 (y/y change, %)
Energy commodities: coal up, electricity and coke down
Energy commodities recorded the strongest increases. Hard coal output reached 3,617.2 thousand tonnes (+20.2% y/y, +4.8% m/m), while lignite production amounted to 3,112.2 thousand tonnes (+15.2% y/y). In contrast, electricity generation fell to 12,797 GWh, down 4.2% from a year earlier and 15.9% from April. Coke production also declined (558 thousand tonnes; −10.7% y/y), as did diesel fuel output (1,229.4 thousand tonnes; −9.7% y/y).
Metallurgy: monthly rebound amid a weaker annual trend
Metallurgy saw strong monthly growth despite weaker cumulative results. Crude steel production totalled 702.4 thousand tonnes (+22.9% m/m, +1.6% y/y), while pig iron output reached 260.4 thousand tonnes (+60.1% m/m), although from the beginning of the year it remained 31.5% below the level recorded a year earlier. Cement clinker production, at 1,348.1 thousand tonnes, increased by 19.9% m/m, but was down 11.6% in cumulative terms.
Automotive industry and durable goods under pressure
The deepest annual declines affected the automotive industry and household appliances. Passenger car output dropped to 22,606 units (−20.8% y/y), despite a 7.2% monthly rebound. Output was also lower than a year earlier for internal combustion engines (−3.5%), washing machines (−8.2%), bicycles (−21.0%) and vacuum cleaners (−40.7%).
| Product (May 2026) | Output | y/y | m/m | Jan–May y/y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard coal | 3,617.2 thousand tonnes | +20.2% | +4.8% | +2.0% |
| Lignite | 3,112.2 thousand tonnes | +15.2% | +2.4% | 0.0% |
| Refined copper | 49,612 tonnes | +4.4% | +2.2% | +6.7% |
| Electricity | 12,797 GWh | −4.2% | −15.9% | +4.8% |
| Coke | 558 thousand tonnes | −10.7% | −4.9% | −4.6% |
| Crude steel | 702.4 thousand tonnes | +1.6% | +22.9% | −9.7% |
| Pig iron | 260.4 thousand tonnes | −9.5% | +60.1% | −31.5% |
| Cement clinker | 1,348.1 thousand tonnes | +5.7% | +19.9% | −11.6% |
| Passenger cars | 22,606 units | −20.8% | +7.2% | −11.6% |
| Internal combustion engines | 181.4 thousand units | −3.5% | −2.9% | −2.4% |
| Motor gasoline | 493.6 thousand tonnes | −1.4% | +0.4% | +9.7% |
| Diesel fuel | 1,229.4 thousand tonnes | −9.7% | −8.2% | +4.8% |
| Malt beer | 2,809,350 hl | −17.5% | −6.5% | −10.9% |
| Automatic washing machines | 403.8 thousand units | −8.2% | −1.9% | −13.1% |
| Bicycles | 69.1 thousand units | −21.0% | −8.0% | −22.8% |
| Vacuum cleaners | 46.7 thousand units | −40.7% | +11.9% | −25.0% |
Growth rates: y/y (May 2025 = 100), m/m (April 2026 = 100), Jan–May (Jan–May 2025 = 100). Percentage values show deviations of indices from 100.
Annual growth and decline leaders
Among individual products, the largest annual increases were recorded for household gas cookers with ovens (+86.0%), edible rock salt (+74.4%) and rotary displacement compressors (+61.9%). On the decline side, output fell most sharply for women’s blouses and shirts other than knitted or crocheted (−53.0%), women’s suits and ensembles (−49.4%) and ammonia in aqueous solution (−49.4%).
Largest annual changes among individual products — May 2026 (y/y change, %)
May 2026 brought mixed signals from industry: strong growth in coal extraction and a monthly rebound in metallurgy contrasted with deep annual declines in automotive production and durable consumer goods. On an annual basis, lower output was recorded for the majority of surveyed products.
Key takeaways
- Manufactured output was lower than a year earlier for 266 of the 478 products surveyed, while it was higher for 199.
- Coal extraction recorded the strongest growth: hard coal rose by 20.2% y/y and lignite by 15.2% y/y.
- Passenger car production fell by 20.8% y/y to 22,606 units.
- In metallurgy, strong monthly gains in crude steel (+22.9%) and pig iron (+60.1%) were accompanied by weaker cumulative results.
- Among durable goods, vacuum cleaners (−40.7%) and bicycles (−21.0%) recorded deep annual declines.
The data concern manufactured output of major industrial products in May 2026 (P-02 survey, entities employing 50 or more people; for electricity, data from the minister responsible for energy and the President of the Energy Regulatory Office). Data source: Statistics Poland. Own analysis based on Statistics Poland data.
