Industrial production in Romania fell by 3.8% year-on-year in January 2026, reversing a five-month high of 1.7% recorded in December 2025. This was the sharpest contraction in industrial activity since March 2025 and was largely driven by a decline in manufacturing output (-6.0% vs +1.1% in December 2025). The drop in manufacturing was particularly pronounced in the production of food and beverages, tanning and dressing of leather, paper and paper products, other non-metallic mineral products, fabricated metal products, electrical equipment, and other transport equipment.
At the same time, mining and quarrying activity also weakened, falling by 1.4% after a 2.9% increase in the previous month. This was mainly due to lower output in metal ores and other mining and quarrying segments, compounded by steeper declines in coal and lignite, as well as crude petroleum and natural gas.
In contrast, the electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply sector expanded at a faster pace, with output rising 7.9% compared to 2.8% in December 2025.
On a monthly basis, industrial output decreased by 3.3% in January 2026, following a 0.8% increase in December 2025, marking its lowest level in twenty months.
