Further steady improvement in operational conditions were indicated by the Greek manufacturing companies at the start of the second quarter, although with a milder growth rate, according to the latest PMI® data from S&P Global.

Although the rate of growth faded during the month, the total rise came from the ongoing increases in production and new orders in April.

However, relatively weaker demand conditions have led to less intense increases in production and new orders, as companies also mitigated the rate of growth of their number of employees and input markets.

Supplies delivery times were further extended, as shortcomings limited the productive capacity of the companies and pushed up the volume of undeclared work.

Meanwhile, companies have remained optimistic about the prospects for production within the following year.

Inflationary pressures also weakened, as the significant slowdown in increasing input costs was a consequence of the least intense increase in output charges.

Closing at 53.2 points in April, the S&P Global seasonally customized index for the Purchasing Managers’ Index ™ – PMI) recorded a price below 55.0 points in March. However, it indicated a steady improvement in operating conditions throughout the range of goods production.

Although the price of the main index fell compared to the previous period of the survey, it has indicated one of the strongest increases in the sector recorded in the last ten months and was higher than the average of the research.

The overall development was contributed to the further increase in the influx of new orders at the start of the second quarter. New sales have increased for a sixth consecutive month due to continued demand on the part of customers and reports that more and more customers are choosing domestic goods.

The rate of growth faded from the high ten -month -olds recorded in March, but was, however, stable. The rate of growth of new export orders also weakened and was generally marginal.

As a result, Greek manufacturers continued to record higher levels of production, as production increased at a steady pace in April. Despite the slowdown in the weaker rate recorded in three months, the growth rate was higher than the average research.

Meanwhile, the supply chain disorder has continued to cause difficulties in manufacturers, as further delays were recorded in April. Members of the panel reported that material shortages and the largest influx of new orders have led to a new increase in the volume of invisible work, although marginal.

Most new orders have caused another round of job creation in April, as employment levels increased at a strong pace. The increase in the number of employees was Thursday in a number of months, as companies tried to expand production capacity after increased production requirements.

However, the rate of growth of the number of employees has fallen to the weakest recorded in three months.

In terms of prices, the cost of inputs faced by Greek manufacturers increased at a significantly slower pace during April. The rate of growth was the weakest recorded since February 2024 and was lower than the average research. Despite reports of higher raw material prices and imported goods, companies reported that the cost of certain basic inputs was mitigated.

Meanwhile, April data has indicated a weaker rate of increase in outflow charges. Greek producers of goods have limited the rate of rise in sales prices, due to the slower increase in the cost of inputs and efforts to remain competitive. Despite the attenuation, the rate of increase in charges was historically high.

Although they recorded the sixth consecutive monthly increase in input markets, Greek manufacturers have indicated, in April, the slowest rise of purchasing activity recorded since last November. Members of the panel reported the use of stocks to supplement production, as supplies have returned to shrinkage.

On the contrary, challenges in the supply chain and the longer input delivery times have led to efforts to create stocks of ready -made products. However, the increase in stocks of ready -made products was generally marginal.

Finally, in April, Greek manufacturers remained optimistic about increasing production next year. According to reports, planned investments in new machines and the development of new products have stimulated confidence. The levels of optimism were above the average of research, although they retreated from the 14 -month high of March.

Commenting on the data, Siân Jones, head of S&P Global Market Intelligence economist, said: “Greek manufacturing companies have continued to indicate a steady recovery of the health of the sector at the start of the second quarter. However, increases in production and new orders slowed down as the conditions of demand from abroad faded, however, remained stable and historically high. Although the supply chain disorder continued – as delays in the input delivery times were generally increased and partially led to a new accumulation of unexplained work – inflationary pressures weakened significantly during the month.
The ongoing improvement in overall demand conditions enabled companies the opportunity to continue to pass the highest cost to customers. It is encouraging that manufacturers remain historically optimistic about production prospects, as companies have indicated yet another steady round of job creation. According to our latest forecasts, it is expected that industrial production will increase by 3.2% on an annual basis in 2025. “