Economic activity in Northern Ireland grew by 2.3% year-over-year and 1% quarter-over-quarter, outpacing both the UK and Republic of Ireland in recent months. This growth is attributed mainly to the production sector, including manufacturing companies like BLK BOX, which has secured international contracts despite initial skepticism about exporting outside of Ireland. However, rising costs such as energy and food are causing concern among local businesses, with one pastry chef highlighting how partnerships help manage expenses better than independent operations can.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-25,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In the second quarter of this year, Northern Ireland's economic output grew by 2.3%, surpassing both the UK and the Republic of Ireland. This growth was driven primarily by an increase in manufacturing within Northern Ireland’s production sector. Despite Ireland experiencing a 10.2% GDP increase over the latest quarter, its "Modified Domestic Demand" (MDD), which adjusts for globalisation's distortions, actually declined by 0.8%. In contrast, Northern Ireland recorded quarterly growth of 1%, outpacing the Republic of Ireland. Greg Bradley, founder of BLK BOX in Newtownabbey, a company producing gym equipment for clients like Manchester United and PureGym across Europe, attributes this success partly to increased consumer awareness about health post-COVID-19.
Written for “Northern Ireland Economy Growth” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
- Published
Economic activity in Northern Ireland in the second quarter of this year grew faster than the UK and Republic of Ireland, according to official figures.
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activity → publish → figures
Northern Ireland's economic output, which is broadly equivalent to UK GDP, rose by 2.3% in the year to June.
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which → rise → June
Comparing economic activity in both NI and UK, NI had stronger growth over the year.
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NI → compare → year
Ireland's GDP increased by 10.2% over the latest quarter, but its "Modified Domestic Demand" (MDD), which removes the distorting effects of globalisation, experienced a decline of 0.8% over the quarter.
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which → increase → quarter
That's compared to quarterly growth of 1% in Northern Ireland.
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That → compare → Ireland
This growth was driven by an increase in the production sector, which includes manufacturing.
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which → drive → manufacturing
Greg Bradley is the founder of BLK BOX, a company that makes gym equipment in Newtownabbey.
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that → make → Newtownabbey
It has secured contracts with high-profile customers all over the world from sports teams like Manchester United to chains like PureGym.
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It → secure → PureGym
Bradley said Covid had made people realise the importance of their health and "a lot of young people are into going to the gym".
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lot → say → gym
"We have won high profile contracts and expanding internationally across France, Spain, Germany and other countries," he told BBC News NI.
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he → win → France
'We can ship frictionlessly across Europe'
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We → ship → Europe
"When I started the business 14 years ago I remember someone telling me I would never sell outside of the island of Ireland and I remember thinking, 'I'm going to prove you wrong'.
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you → start → Ireland
Thankfully, we have been able to do that," he added.
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he → do → that
The company works internationally across the EU and markets like the US, Sri Lanka, Maldives, India, Australia and has grown its workforce to 180 staff.
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company → work → staff
He added that the Windsor Framework had also been advantageous compared to English competitors.
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Framework → add → competitors
"We've been able to win a contract with a large French gym chain, Stade Français rugby team, so it's actually worked out good for us and we are really doubling down on that.
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we → win → that
"There's still a bit of an education process with it, not everyone knows that we can ship frictionlessly across Europe, they are a bit scared of tariffs but once you explain it, everyone is really interested."
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everyone → be → it
Output in the services sector, which is the largest part of the Northern Ireland economy, also increased in the last 12 months.
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which → increase → months
While these figures suggest the Northern Ireland economy ended the first half of this year in a position of strength, there are real concerns that rising energy and food costs could put businesses under significant pressure in the months ahead.
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costs → suggest → months
Pastry chef Daniel Duckett closed his east Belfast patisserie in the last year, but has now re-opened in partnership Knott's bakery chain in Forestside shopping centre.
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Duckett → close → centre
Duckett said that Knott's has the buying power for ingredients so "they can control costs a little bit better than we would have been able to".
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we → say → costs
"They have been able to absorb a lot more of the costs that we would have been paying before," he added.
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he → absorb → that
'Have to be vigilant'
Duckett said rising petrol prices in particular will affect the cost of goods.
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prices → have → goods
He added: "We have to think, how much do we deliver to the shops?
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we → add → shops
Because that will also affect our petrol prices that fill up vans that travel across Northern Ireland.
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that → affect → Ireland
"I think a lot of people don't realise that the weather and global warming affect a lot of the products we bring in - tropical fruits, vanilla, cocoa, sugar cane."
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we → think → products
"Those are things that are definitely affected by storms and El Niño.
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that → affect → storms
I would try to brace myself for that as well," he added.
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he → try → that
Mr Duckett added: "For the second half of the year we will have to be vigilant about where those products that have to travel far come from, as petrol prices will have to factor in to that."
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prices → add → that
The Aporia
