Norway’s manufacturing production rose 0.7% month-over-month in May 2026, exceeding market expectations of a 0.4% increase and rebounding from a 0.9% decline in April. Growth strengthened in food, beverages, and tobacco (1.1% vs 0.3% in April), wood and wood products (2.3% vs 0.8%), and basic chemicals (5.6% vs 3.7%). Output also returned to growth in textiles, wearing apparel, and leather (3.2% vs -1.9%), fabricated metal products (4.8% vs -2.3%), machinery and equipment (1.2% vs -1.6%), and the repair and installation of machinery (5.5% vs -2.5%).
By contrast, production growth stalled for refined petroleum, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals (0.0% vs 4.5%) and slowed markedly for basic metals (0.5% vs 5.5%), while output continued to contract in ships, boats, and oil platforms (-1.7% vs -0.7%) and in furniture and manufacturing n.e.c. (-2.2% vs -1.8%). On an annual basis, manufacturing output rose 2.2%, following a 0.6% decline in April.
