Electronics and Petroleum Drive Mexican Manufacturing

Despite a moderate performance from the manufacturing industry as a whole, some subsectors recorded significant growth during January 2026. According to the Monthly Survey of the Manufacturing Industry (EMIM), the manufacturing of petroleum and coal products led the sector’s growth with an annual increase of 15% in its production volume. Also noteworthy was the manufacturing of computer, communication, and electronic equipment and components, which registered an annual growth of 5.1%, one of the most significant advancements within the industry. Another subsector with positive performance was the manufacturing of machinery and equipment, which reported a 3.2% increase in its annual production. These results reflect the strength of certain industrial branches linked to technological and energy supply chains, which have gained relevance in the context of industrial reshoring and shifts in global production chains. In contrast, the manufacturing sector as a whole registered virtually no annual variation in its production, with a growth of just 0.1%.

Textiles and Transportation Record Largest Declines in Manufacturing

Various branches of the Mexican manufacturing industry began 2026 with significant setbacks in their production, especially in activities related to textiles, wood, and transportation. According to the Monthly Survey of the Manufacturing Industry (EMIM), the manufacturing of textile inputs registered an annual decline of 9.2%, becoming the subsector with the largest contraction within the industry. The manufacturing of apparel also showed a significant setback, with an annual decrease of 8.9% in its production. Another subsector with significant declines was the wood industry, whose production fell 7.7% compared to January 2025. Likewise, the manufacturing of transport equipment, which includes a large part of the automotive industry, reported an annual contraction of 6.2%.

This article first appeared on Líder Empresarial.