Industry has sunk. What happened to the production in the Astrakhan region

Industrial production in the Astrakhan region in January-August 2026 was significantly lower than last year. The industrial production index amounted to 73.4% compared to the same period in 2025. At the same time, the situation within the industry was different: against the background of a decrease in production and manufacturing, a number of areas showed growth.

Production showed the most noticeable decrease

The most powerful overall picture was pulled down by mining. For eight months, its index was 67.8% compared to January-August last year.

In the provision of services in the field of oil and natural gas production, the figure was 70.7%. In the extraction of stone, sand and clay, it reached 82.8%, and in the extraction of other minerals not included in separate groups, 77.3%.

At the same time, in August, the picture differed from the results for eight months. The mining index was 78.9% by August 2025, but 112.2% by July 2026. In the provision of services in the field of oil and natural gas production, the August figure reached 131.2 percent compared to the same month last year.

Manufacturing industries diverged in dynamics

The index of processing industries for January-August was 81.7% compared to the same period last year. However, within this sector there were directions with both significant decline and growth.

Food production increased by 6% in eight months. Especially noticeable dynamics was recorded in the processing and canning of meat and meat products, where the index was 138.4%. Processing of fruits and vegetables reached 109.8%, production of other food products, 123.6%.

Fish processing, by contrast, was slightly below last year’s level: the figure was 97%. In the production of dairy products, the index fell to 80.6%, bakery and flour confectionery products, to 88%.

Growth was noted in the processing of wood and the production of products from it. At the end of eight months, the index here was 132.6%. In sawing and wood plotting, the figure reached 211.7%.

Printing and copying of media showed an index of 149%. Production of paper and paper products reached 103.9%, rubber and plastic products, 111.9%.

From petroleum products to electronics

In a number of industrial areas, the results were significantly lower than last year. In the production of coke and petroleum products, the index for January-August was 71.1%, chemicals and chemical products, 72.9%.

Metallurgical production showed 84.7%. In the production of finished metal products, except for machinery and equipment, the index was 48.6%, and in metal processing and coating, metal machining, 38.9%.

The figure was even lower in the production of computers, electronics and optical products, 6.9%. Production of electrical equipment was 50.3% compared to the level of January-August last year.

In the production of other vehicles and equipment, the index reached 68.9%. At the same time, the production of railway locomotives and rolling stock was much closer to last year’s level of 97.4%.

At the other pole is the production of other finished products. Here, the index was 150.2%. In the production of medical instruments and equipment, the indicator reached 149.4%, and the repair and installation of machinery and equipment increased to 113.6%.

Energy decreased, water supply increased

In the provision of electricity, gas and steam, as well as air conditioning, the index for eight months amounted to 93.3%, that is, it was 6.7% below the level of the same period in 2025.

In the production, transmission and distribution of electricity, the figure was 93.5%. In the production, transmission and distribution of steam and hot water, and air conditioning, 87.4%. Production and distribution of gaseous fuels, by contrast, increased, with the index reaching 111.3%.

Growth was also recorded in the field of water supply, sanitation, waste management and pollution elimination. The aggregate index here was 107.6%.

Water withdrawal, treatment and distribution increased to 116.4% compared to January-August 2025, wastewater collection and treatment to 110%. In the collection, treatment and disposal of waste, as well as the processing of secondary raw materials, the index was 101.9%.

Thus, the total figure of industrial production of 73.4% hides a multidirectional situation. Extraction, a large part of the manufacturing sector and the energy sector did not reach last year’s figures, while the food, wood, printing, selected finished products, gas and water sectors finished eight months with growth.