Manufacturing sales have fallen for the second consecutive quarter, driven by meat, dairy and metal products.
Official figures show manufacturing volumes fell a seasonally adjusted 1.4% in the three months to the end of September.
The sector had been gradually recovering since it hit its lowest level in more than 10 years in the fourth quarter last year.
The value of seasonally adjusted sales at current prices remained flat, with a rise in meat and dairy sales offset by a fall in metal products.
