GUS data for October 2025 and for the entire period from January to October show a clear transformation of Polish industry. On the one hand, we observe a recession in clothing, automotive and agricultural machinery. On the other hand, infrastructure, chemical and telecommunications sectors are developing dynamically. Polish production is shifting towards higher value added, technology-intensive exports and products linked to the country’s modernisation.
In October, declines prevailed – output fell in 250 items y/y and increased in 215 items, which means a predominance of negative results. In sold production, the predominance of declines was also pronounced: 137 items increased y/y, while 175 fell y/y. These data confirm the dominance of factors dampening manufacturing activity, while a few very strong growth niches continue to exist. The unavailability of data for some household appliances (dishwashers, washing machines, cookers, pumps, etc.) due to incomplete reports further complicates the analysis of certain segments.
Table of contents
1. MANUFACTURED OUTPUT – OVERVIEW OF MONTHLY DATA
Manufactured output remained under strong demand and seasonal pressure. More than 52% of categories recorded a y/y decline, which clearly indicates a weakening in many branches of industry. At the same time, an increase was recorded in 215 items, which shows a wide dispersion in conditions across sectors. The strongest increases were noted in technical chemicals, infrastructure-related products, processed foods and technology-intensive goods.
1.1 HIGHEST YEAR-ON-YEAR INCREASES IN MANUFACTURED OUTPUT
1.1.1 Chemicals and chemical products
The highest increase in the entire report was recorded for decaffeinated roasted coffee, which reached a dynamics of +88.7% y/y. This product has a high export share and the data suggest a significant increase in output compared with the previous year. A similarly strong increase was recorded for polyurethane adhesives, with growth of +88.0% y/y, indicating very strong demand from the furniture, construction and automotive industries. Another product with one of the largest increases was edible rock salt, whose output rose by +80.0% y/y, which may reflect higher orders from the food and chemical sectors.
1.1.2 Infrastructure and technology-related products
Exceptionally strong growth was recorded in the output of gas meters, which increased by +79.0% y/y. The data suggest higher order execution for the energy sector, especially in the modernisation of metering systems. The high growth in optical fibre cables – +62.7% y/y – confirms the persistent trend of expanding telecommunications infrastructure, including FTTH projects and the modernisation of broadband networks in Poland and across Europe. Poland maintains a strong position in fibre-optic production, which is reflected in the monthly data.
1.1.3 Food processing
In the food sector, vegetable marinades stood out, recording an increase of +68.6% y/y. This category has a high export share and its strong growth rate goes beyond typical seasonality. The data indicate that demand for vegetable preserves was particularly strong at the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth. Food processing once again proved resilient to macroeconomic fluctuations.
1.2 DEEPEST YEAR-ON-YEAR DECLINES IN MANUFACTURED OUTPUT
1.2.1 Clothing – the weakest segment of the whole economy
The largest decline was recorded in the output of cider, with a result of –93.6% y/y, which indicates an almost complete halt in production compared with the previous year. In the clothing sector, very sharp declines were recorded for women’s and girls’ coats made of knitted fabric, –69.9% y/y, and for men’s and boys’ shirts, –63.5% y/y. These figures confirm an ongoing loss of competitiveness in Polish clothing manufacturing. Clothing is also a segment where part of the production disappears from statistics due to foreign subcontracting.
1.2.2 Agricultural machinery and agro equipment
Output of agricultural tractors fell by –69.6% y/y, one of the steepest declines in the entire machinery group. The data confirm that the agricultural sector cut back investments in 2025, which directly affected machinery production. Similar results applied to field seed drills, which also posted large declines both m/m and y/y. Polish production of agricultural equipment clearly scaled down its activity.
2. MANUFACTURED OUTPUT – MONTHLY DYNAMICS (M/M)
The monthly analysis makes it possible to capture short-term fluctuations in supply and demand. In October 2025, an m/m increase was recorded in 294 items, and a decline in 164 items, indicating a predominance of short-term gains.
2.1 HIGHEST M/M INCREASES
The highest monthly increase was recorded for butadiene-1,3, which reached a dynamics of +97.0% m/m. This is a petrochemical product used in the production of plastics and synthetic rubber. The second-highest increase was recorded for crude oil products, up by 85.6% m/m, which points to higher oil processing or execution of large orders. In the clothing segment, the strongest growth was recorded for women’s and girls’ suits, +83.0% m/m, which reflects strong seasonality. A major source of growth was also concentrated apple juice, up +80.5% m/m, in line with the processing cycle.
2.2 LARGEST M/M DECLINES
The deepest monthly decline was recorded for women’s coats made of knitted fabric, –64.7% m/m, which is a continuation of the negative trend in the clothing sector. A substantial decline also affected field seed drills, –45.6% m/m, and agricultural tractors, –44.4% m/m, confirming seasonal slowdown in the agricultural sector. These data are consistent with the longer-term weakness visible in year-on-year figures.
3. SOLD PRODUCTION – MONTHLY DATA Y/Y
In sold production, which reflects actual market absorption of products, an increase y/y was recorded for 137 categories and a decline for 175 categories. These results confirm that declines predominate in sales, although many categories show very strong growth.
3.1 HIGHEST YEAR-ON-YEAR INCREASES IN SALES
The highest increase in sales was recorded for vegetable marinades, +99.0% y/y. The second-largest increase concerned concentrated apple juice, +84.6% y/y, confirming an excellent season for fruit processing. Very strong dynamics were also recorded for construction and road-building machinery, +61.1% y/y, reflecting public and local-government investment. In the infrastructure segment, water meters, +59.9% y/y, and insulating glass units, +49.2% y/y, stood out, both being key products in energy-efficient construction.
3.2 DEEPEST YEAR-ON-YEAR DECLINES IN SALES
The largest decline in sales was recorded for porcelain tableware, –43.5% y/y, indicating weak demand for durable consumer goods. A significant decline was also noted for rotary compressors, –43.4% y/y, pointing to constrained industrial investment. In the wood sector, a strong decline affected wooden mosaic floor panels, –40.4% y/y, while in food processing a marked drop was recorded for vinegar, –40.1% y/y. These categories confirm broad-based demand weakness.
4. SOLD PRODUCTION – MONTHLY CHANGES (M/M)
An m/m increase was recorded in 191 items and a decline in 121 items, which means increases prevailed despite the predominance of declines in the year-on-year data.
The highest m/m increases were recorded for:
- freight wagons, +94.6% m/m
- phosphate fertilisers, +69.5% m/m
- potassium fertilisers, +60.7% m/m
- sodium hydroxide in aqueous solution, +56.0% m/m
The deepest m/m declines concerned:
- women’s coats made of knitted fabric, –76.0% m/m
- non-alcoholic beer, –53.1% m/m
- field seed drills, –48.7% m/m
- vinegars, –37.9% m/m
5. MANUFACTURED OUTPUT – CUMULATIVE TRENDS (I–X 2025)
The cumulative analysis reduces the impact of seasonality. In the period under review, a cumulative increase was recorded in 246 items and a decline in 221 items.
5.1 HIGHEST CUMULATIVE INCREASES
The highest cumulative increases were recorded for:
- firefighting vehicles, +69.9% y/y
- public transport vehicles, +68.9% y/y
- polyurethane adhesives, +66.7% y/y
- optical fibre cables, +66.0% y/y
- ceramic ridge tiles, +64.8% y/y
- ready-made fish dishes, +61.7% y/y
5.2 DEEPEST CUMULATIVE DECLINES
The largest cumulative declines affected:
- refined sunflower oil, –66.7% y/y
- women’s clothing (blouses and shirts), –61.9% y/y
- men’s and boys’ trousers, –58.8% y/y
- passenger cars, –56.0% y/y
- metal lathes, –45.8% y/y
6. SOLD PRODUCTION – CUMULATIVE TRENDS (I–X 2025)
The highest cumulative increases in sales were recorded for:
- public transport vehicles, +71.4% y/y
- polyurethane adhesives, +68.4% y/y
- finished cattle hides, +42.1% y/y
- chocolate-coated candies, +40.6% y/y
- fired clay bricks, +39.9% y/y
The deepest cumulative declines were recorded for:
- passenger cars, –56.1% y/y
- women’s clothing (shorts, dungarees, trousers), –48.1% y/y
- wooden floor panels, –33.5% y/y
- city and trekking bicycles, –23.8% y/y
The data confirm that Polish industry is shifting towards more advanced technologies and products used in infrastructure development and in the chemical industry.
