The Nevi Netherlands Manufacturing PMI rose to 52.0 in March 2026 from 50.8 in February, marking the strongest reading in six months. The increase reflected renewed growth in order books, supported by higher export sales, although overall demand remained modest. Output growth accelerated to the fastest pace since November 2025, with expansion broad-based across all three monitored sub-sectors and led by the investment goods category, partly to meet higher orders and build buffer stocks amid supply disruptions linked to the Middle East and longer delivery times. Supply pressures intensified, particularly for inputs from Asia, pushing input costs to a more than three-year high, with output prices also rising sharply to a similar multi-year peak. Employment dipped slightly, marking the first contraction in four months, as firms opted not to replace leavers or renew temporary contracts. Optimism softened below historical averages, though firms remained cautiously positive on new orders.
