Eight key infrastructure sectors`output slows to three-month low of 2.3% in February
The Ministry of Commerce & Industry in its latest data has showed that eight key infrastructure sectors’ output slowed to a three-month low of 2.3 per cent in February 2026 as compared to 3.4 per cent in the same month last year (February 2025). The slowdown in eight sectors’ growth was due to a contraction in the output of crude oil, natural gas, and refinery products. During April-February period of this fiscal year (FY26), the cumulative production growth in the infrastructure sector was 2.9 per cent compared to 4.4 per cent in the same period of the last financial year.
Crude Oil production having 8.98 per cent weight declined by 5.2 per cent in February, 2026 over February, 2025, while its cumulative index declined by 2.5 per cent during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year. Natural Gas production having 6.88 per cent weight declined by 5.0 per cent in February, 2026 over February, 2025, while its cumulative index declined by 3.5 per cent during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year. Petroleum Refinery production having 28.04 per cent weight declined by 1.0 per cent in February, 2026 over February, 2025, while its cumulative index declined by 0.1 per cent during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year.
On the other hand, Coal production having 10.33 per cent weight increased by 2.3 per cent in February, 2026 over February, 2025, while its cumulative index has remained unchanged at 185.8 during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year. Fertilizer production having 2.63 per cent weight increased by 3.4 per cent in February, 2026 over February, 2025, while its cumulative index increased by 2.0 per cent during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year. Steel production having 17.92 per cent weight increased by 7.2 per cent in February, 2026 over February, 2025, while its cumulative index increased by 9.7 per cent during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Cement production having 5.37 per cent weight increased by 9.3 per cent in February, 2026 over February, 2025, while its cumulative index increased by 9.2 per cent during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year. Electricity generation having 19.85 per cent weight increased by 0.5 per cent in February, 2026 over February, 2025, while its cumulative index increased by 0.9 per cent during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year.
