Manufacturing activity continued to grow in June, but at a slower pace than in May, according to the latest figures from NCB Stockbrokers.
Its Purchasing Managers' Index recorded 53.7, compared with 54.5 in May. Any figure above 50 indicates growth.
NCB economist Eunan King said export orders to the US, Asia and UK remained robust, while employment growth picked up slightly.
But average costs continued to rise sharply, with this index recording 64.7, mainly because of shortages of raw materials on world markets. Prices charged by firms rose again, but competition kept price inflation below that of costs, with this index coming in at 53.7.
