Latest figures show industrial production in January was up 1.7% compared with the same month last year.
Bloxhams economist Alan McQuaid said it was the worst year-on-year performance since last April.
‘However, it should be pointed out that the annual growth rates in January 2010 and January 2009 weren’t particularly strong either,’ he said.
He said although it was a 'somewhat disappointing' start to the year, he expected a large, single-digit increase in manufacturing output this year.
The rise in volume was led by a 9.6% increase in the manufacturing of computer and electrical products.
However, a 6.8% decrease in food products was a drag on the volume, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.
Production of the 'modern sector' - which includes technology and chemical companies – showed a 1.5% increase year-on-year. An increase of 1.2% was recorded in the ‘traditional’ sector.
Turnover increased by 6.4%, according to the figures.
