Order intakes moderate in Finland’s largest export sector, uncertainty weighs on growth outlook
The value of new orders and order books in the technology industry was higher in January–March 2026 than a year earlier. However, the trend was more muted than in the fourth quarter of 2025, which gained a boost from large orders in the marine industry. Increased uncertainty in the global economy is overshadowing the industry’s growth outlook.
According to Technology Industries of Finland’s latest survey of order books and personnel, the value of new orders received in January–March 2026 was 11 per cent higher than a year earlier, and the value of order books was 18 per cent higher than in March 2025. That said, the value of new orders fell 23 per cent short of the fourth quarter of 2025, while the value of order books was two per cent lower than at the end of December 2025.
“Performance in the fourth quarter was exceptionally robust. This sparked delighted optimism, which has since given way to great uncertainty. In spite of the somewhat muted market, the situation remains tolerable on the whole, and expectations are cautiously optimistic. However, the outlook for this year depends heavily on the crisis in Iran and the trend in both inflation and interest rates,” says Senior Economist Hanne Mikkonen.