Between January and February, the seasonally adjusted regional indexes of industrial production increased in 9 of the 14 subsectors surveyed, being the highlights Bahia (13.7%), Espírito Santo (8.3%), Minas Gerais (5.7%), Paraná (5.7%) and the Northeast Region (4.1%), where the increase surpassed the national average (1.8%). The other areas with positive rates were Rio Grande do Sul (1.6%), Pará (0.9%), Ceará (0.8%) and São Paulo (0.5%). Among the five areas with production decrease, the main ones were Pernambuco (-5.6%) and Santa Catarina (-4.6%).

In the comparison February 09/February 08, however, the only area with increase of production was Paraná (1.5%), due to the positive performance of the subsector editing and printing. All the other 13 areas surveyed faced two-digit decrease and the index declined significantly.  Among the areas with decrease above the national average  (-17.0%) are: (-29.5%), Minas Gerais (-26.0%), Amazonas (-20.8%), Rio Grande do Sul (-20.5%), Santa Catarina (-19.8%), Pernambuco (-17.5%) and  São Paulo (-17.5%). There was decrease, below the national average, in Bahia (-10.0%), Pará (-10.2%), Ceará (-10.5%), Goiás (-11.1%), Northeast Region (-12.1%) and Rio de Janeiro (-13.2%). 

Considering the index accumulated in the first two months, there was decrease in the 14 areas surveyed. The industries in Santo (-31.4%), Minas Gerais (-27.6%), Amazonas (-22.0%), Rio Grande do Sul (-20.6%) and São Paulo (-17.7%) faced decreases above the national average (-17.2%), due to the overall decline of industrial activity in the subsectors of durable consumer goods, intermediate goods and capital goods. The subsector of semi-durable and non-durable consumer goods was comparably less affected.

 

In terms of the index accumulated in the last 12 months, industry as a whole fell 4.1 percentage points in the first two months of the year compared to the figure at the end of 2008. In the same period of time, all the areas faced decreases, and the most significant ones occurred in Espírito Santo (from 5.6% to -1.9), Minas Gerais (from 1.6% to -4.4%) and Amazonas (from 3.9% to -2.2%).

 

AMAZONAS

 

In February, the industrial production of Amazonas decreased 2.2% compared to the previous month, at a less accelerated rhythm than in December (-4.6%) and January (-4.7%). The decrease accumulated between December and February was 8.5%. The quarterly moving average index has remained on a downward trend for five months, with accumulated decrease of 13.9%.

 

Compared to February 2008, the decline of 20.8% was the fourth consecutive negative are. Among the 11 segments analyzed, eight contributed to the result, being the highlights other transportation equipment (-49.4%), electronic and communication material and equipment (-31.0%) and food products and beverages (-8.4%). The decreases resulted from the reduced production of mobile telephones and television sets, motorcycles and their parts and pieces; and preparations in syrup for the elaboration of beverages. The main positive impacts came from editing and printing (18.6%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (7.2%).

 

The indicator accumulated in the last twelve months, on a downward trend since September (8.3%), reached, in February, its first negative rate (-2.2%) since July 2007 (-0.7%). In the first two months of the year, the decrease was 22.0%, a more significant decrease than in the fourth quarter of 2008 (-4.6%).

 

 

PARÁ

 

The industrial production of Pará grew 0.9% in February, compared to January. It is the second consecutive positive rate, with accumulated increase of 1.4% in two months. The quarterly moving average declined 1.4% between January and February, keeping the downward trend which started in November.

 

Compared to February 2008, the decrease of 10.2% means the lowest rate in the time series which started in 2003. The rate was negative in five of the six subsectors, and the most significant decreases were those of

Wooden products (-33.7%) and mining and quarrying industry (-22.6%), in which the highlights were, respectively, iron ore and compensated and sawed wood. The only positive impact was metallurgy (18.3%).

 

The rate accumulated in the last 12 months remains positive (2.6%). In the first two months of the year, the decrease of 8.8% overcame the decline of the last quarter of 2008 (-1.6%). There was decline in for of the six subsectors surveyed, especially in mining and quarrying industry (-20.9%) and wood (-44.1%).

 

NORTHEAST

 

In February, the industrial production of the Northeast Region increased by 4.1% in relation to January, after increasing by 1.1% in January. The quarterly moving average index, however, decreased 1.3% and has remained on a downward trend since November.

 

Compared to February 2008, the industry of the Northeast decreased 12.1%, the lowest result since May 1995 (-14.0%). It is the fifth consecutive negative rate, and there was decrease in 10 of the 11 subsectors surveyed. The highlights were metallurgy (-28.4%), other chemical products (-22.8%) and food products and beverages (-4.6%), affected by the items: vinyl polychloride and ethylene; copper bars, profiles and square bars; and sugar and demerara, respectively. The only activity with production increase was non-metallic minerals (1.9%).

 

The rate accumulated in the last 12 months, on a downward trend since September, reached -1.8% in February, its first negative rate since May 2004 (-0.3%). Considering the index accumulated in the first two months, there was decrease of 11.5%, a lower figure than that accumulated in the last quarter of 2008 (-5.2%). There was decrease in 9 of the 11 subsectors surveyed, especially chemical products (-26.3%).

 

 

CEARÁ

 

In February, the industrial production of Ceará increased 0.8% compared to January, after three months with falling results, a period in which it accumulated decrease of 7.5%. The quarterly moving average faced decrease (-1.2%) for the second consecutive result.

 

Compared to February 2008, the production of Ceará fell by 10.5%, the biggest decrease since October 2005 (-10.9%). Among the 10 activities surveyed, five had negative result, mainly electric appliances and material (-46.1%), food products and beverages (-19.5%) and footwear and leather articles (-14.2%), due, respectively, to the reduced production of transformers; of peanuts and toasted cashew nuts, besides cookies, and plastic footwear. The positive impacts came mainly from petroleum refining and alcohol production (58.0%) and non-metallic minerals (6.3%).

 

The rate accumulated in the last twelve months increased 0.9%, but has remained on a downward trend since September (3.8%). Considering the index accumulated in the first two months, the reduction of 7.7% was influenced by the negative results registered in seven of the ten subsectors surveyed, especially metallurgy (-55.0%).

 

PERNAMBUCO

The Pernambuco industry produced, in February, 5.6% less than in January, after increase of 5.8% in the previous month, in the seasonally adjusted series. The quarterly moving average index also decreased (-2.5%), keeping the downward trend which started in November.

 

In relation to February 2008, the industrial production of Pernambuco declined -17.5% and had the lowest rate since January 2000 (-19.5%). All the eleven subsectors surveyed had negative performance, being the highlights metallurgy (-50.8%), chemical products (-23.0%) and food products and beverages (-7.9%), mainly due to the decrease of production of aluminum plates and bands; styrene-butadiene butter and crystallized sugar, respectively.

 

The rate accumulated in the last 12 months, on a downward trend since October, reached -0.8% in February, the first negative rate since February 2004 (-1.0%). Considering the index accumulated in the first two months, the decrease of 12.2%, significantly higher than in the last quarter of 2008 (-2.5%), occurred due to the negative result of nine subsectors, mainly metallurgy (-25.8%).

 

 

BAHIA  

In February, the seasonally adjusted industrial production of Bahia increased 13.7% in relation to January, without changing the loss accumulated between August 2008 and January 2009 (-20.6%). The quarterly moving average index decreased 1.7% between January and February, at a lower rhythm than that in December 9-6.7%) and January (-6.0%).

 

Compared to February 2008, the industry of Bahia had decrease of 10.0%, the fifth consecutive negative rate. Among the nine subsectors surveyed, five faced decrease in production. The major negative contributions came from metallurgy (-24.6%), chemical products (-21.8%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-7.5%), due to the decrease of the production of copper bars, profiles and square bars, and of carbon steel ingots, blocks and plates; non-saturated ethylene and low-quality ethylene; diesel and naphtha, respectively. On the other hand, the main positive contributions came from automotive vehicles (35.9%) and food products and beverages (16.6%).

 

In relation to February 2008, the industry of Bahia faced decrease of 10.0%, the fifth consecutive negative rate. Among the nine subsectors surveyed, five faced production decrease. The main negative contributions to the overall index came from metallurgy (-24.6%), chemical products (-21.8%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-7.5%).

 

The rate accumulated in the last 12 months decreased and has remained on a downward trend since September (5.1%). Considering the index accumulated in the first two months, the decrease was 13.8%, more than the -5.4% of the last quarter of 2008. This result was mainly affected by the rates of six of the nine subsectors surveyed. .The main negative impacts came from metallurgy (-35.1%), chemical products (-8.2%)and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-11.2%).

 

MINAS GERAIS

 

In February, the seasonally adjusted industrial production of Minas Gerais increased 5.7%, after increasing 2.1% in January. The quarterly moving average decreased (-3.9%) and kept the downward trend which started in September, although with lower rhythm than in December and January (both with -10.5%).  Compared to February 2008, the industrial production of Minas Gerais decreased 26.0%, the fourth consecutive negative rate. The decrease was more significant in mining and quarrying industry (-45.4%), which was affected by the severe reduction in the extraction of iron ore. Manufacturing industry (-22.5%) also faced decrease, in a movement followed by eight of the twelve subsectors, mainly metallurgy (-49.0%), due to the decrease of steel products, which reached 84% of the 25 products surveyed in this activity.

 

It is also worth mentioning the negative contributions of automotive vehicles (-25.2%), metal products (-42.9%), other chemical products (-30.5%) and machinery and equipment (-43.3%), affected by the items: cars and car pieces; aluminum cans for storage and metal splints threaded with steel and iron thread; superphosphates and insecticides for agriculture; and digging machines and appliances for domestic use. On the other hand, the most significant positive impact came from food products (9.8%).

 

The rate accumulated in the last 12 months (-4.4%) lost rhythm in relation to January (-1.6%), keeping the trend to deceleration which started in June 2008. Considering the result accumulated in the first two months, there was decrease of 27.7%, influenced by the negative results of 11 of the 13 subsectors surveyed. Metallurgy, with decrease of 49.5% keeps presenting the highest negative pressure, being followed by mining and quarrying industry (-46.0%), automotive vehicles (-27.3%) and chemical products (-32.7%).

 

ESPÍRITO SANTO

The industry of Espírito Santo produced 8.3% more in February than in January, in the seasonally adjusted series, after five negative rates; in this period the accumulated decrease was 35.0%. The quarterly moving average index decreased 1.8% between January and February, having the seventh consecutive negative rate.

Compared to February 2008, the decrease of 29.5% was slightly below those of last January (-33.2%) and December (-29.8%). There was decrease in four of the five subsectors surveyed, being the highlight mining and quarrying industry (-60.8%), metallurgy (-32.7%) and food products and beverages (-5.2%), affected, respectively, by iron ore; carbon steel ingots, billets or plates; and cocoa candy. The only positive contribution came from cellulose and paper (2.7%).

 

The rate accumulated in the last 12 months accelerated the rhythm of increase by having -1.9%. The index accumulated in the first two months (-31.4%) increased the loss in the fourth quarter of 2008 (-18.6%), with negative performances in four subsectors. The main highlights, in this case, were mining and quarrying industry (-61.7%) and metallurgy (37.9%).

 

RIO DE JANEIRO

 

The seasonally adjusted industrial production of Rio de Janeiro decreased 1.7% in February, compared to the previous month, with accumulated decrease of 14.7% in the period. The quarterly moving average – 3.9% between January and February, kept a rhythm of decrease close to that observed in the last two months: 4.4% in January and 0.4%b in December.

 

Compared to February 2008, the index decreased 13.2%, the biggest decrease since May 1995 (-26.9%). Among the 12 activities, 10 faced decrease in production, being the highlight metallurgy (-40.0%), affected by the decrease in 92% of the products investigated, and reflecting, mainly, the technical stops which occurred in some companies of the sector.  Other highlights were other chemical products (-37.0%), automotive vehicles (-45.5%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-21.4%), affected, mainly, by the items: herbicides, trucks and cars; and diesel, respectively. The industry of pharmaceutical items (23.6%) and beverages (10.9%) were the only positive results.

 

The rate accumulated in the last 12 months (-1.6%) has kept the deceleration trend which started in September last year (3.5%). The index accumulated in the first two months (-13.1%) points to higher decrease in relation to the fourth quarter of 2008 (-3.7%). The negative rates occurred in 11 of the 13 activities surveyed, being the highlights metallurgy (-42.5%), automotive vehicles (-35.6%), other chemical products (-26.4%), petroleum refining and alcohol production (-12.6%), non-metallic minerals (-19.9%) and food products (-14.4%). Only mining and quarrying industry (10.1%) and pharmaceutical industry (18.1%) had positive results in this comparison.

 

SÃO PAULO

 

The industrial production in São Paulo increased 0.5% in February, in the seasonally adjusted series, after hike of 2.4% in January. The quarterly moving average index (-4.7%) has kept negative results for six months, accumulating loss of 17.9%.

 

Compared to February 2008, the fall of 17.5% in production, the fourth consecutive negative rate, reflects the negative performance of 16 of the 20 subsectors surveyed. Machinery and equipment (-38.0%), automotive vehicles (-27.8%), electronic and communication material and equipment (-57.4%) and other chemical products (-21,8%) accounted for the most significant contributions in the decrease, due to the decline in carriers- transporters; pieces for engines and cars; telephony equipment; and paints and varnishes for construction, respectively. On the other hand, other communication equipment (69.6%) and pharmaceutical industry (12.4%) were the main positive contributions.

 

The rate accumulated in the last 12 months, on a downward trend since July, reached 0.8% in February, the lowest figure since February 2004 (-0.3%). The index accumulated in the first quarter fell 17.7%, with a more significant decrease than the -4.4% of the fourth quarter of 2008. This result was affected by the decreases in 17 of the 20 subsectors surveyed; the main highlights were automotive vehicles (-30.8%), machinery and equipment (-34.9%), electronic material and communication equipment (-59.8%) and other chemical products (-22.3%)

 

PARANÁ

 

In February, the industrial production of Paraná increased 5.7%, compared to the previous month, in the series with seasonal adjustment, after increase of 8.2% in January. The quarterly moving average index was 0.4%, interrupting a sequence of two quarters with falling results. In relation to February 2008, the increase of 1.5% was the only positive rate among all the areas surveyed. Among the 14 activities surveyed, six had positive rates, being the most significant contribution that of editing and printing (184.5%). This unusual growth was a consequence of the increase of governmental orders for paperback books or printed teaching material to be used in the beginning of the school year.

 

Positive impacts also came from food products (7.0%), being the highlight the production of meat and poultry giblets; and soybean tart, bagasse and meal. The main negative impacts came from automotive vehicles (-39.7%), machinery and equipment (-29.4%) and wood (-33.1%).

 

The rate accumulated in the last twelve months, on a downward trend since November last year, reached 5.7% in February, its lowest result since August 2007 (5.1%). The index accumulated in the first two months faced decrease (-3.5%), a figure below that of the last quarter in the previous year (1.0%). There was production decrease in eight subsectors, especially automotive vehicles (-42.7%), machinery and equipment (-24.6%) and wood (-33.2%).

 

SANTA CATARINA

 

The seasonally adjusted industrial production of Santa Catarina decreased 4.6% in February, compared to January, after increasing 3.8% in the previous month. The quarterly moving average index also decreased (-2.8%), having almost the same result as in the previous month (-2.7%). It remained on the downward trend for five months, a period in which accumulated losses reached -13.2%.

 

Compared to February 2008, the industrial production of Santa Catarina decreased 19.8%, the fifth consecutive negative rate and the biggest decrease in the time series which started in 1991. There was overall decrease in the 11 subsectors investigated, with negative, but significant impact in automotive vehicles (-46.6%) and machinery and equipment (-24.4%), affected by the items car and bus trucks; and compressors and refrigerators, respectively.

 

The rate accumulated in the last 12 months changed from -1.8% in January to -3.9% in February, contributing to the downward trend which started in February 2008 (-5.7%). The indicator accumulated in the first two months points to decrease of 16.2%, a rhythm below that of the last quarter of 2008 (-7.4%). Negative results reached 10 of the 11 activities, being the highlights automotive vehicles (-42.0%), machinery and equipment (-18.4%), electric machines, appliances and material (-42.2%) and rubber and plastic (-23.2%).

 

RIO GRANDE DO SUL

 

In February, the industrial production in Rio Grande do Sul increased 1.6% compared to January (seasonally adjusted series), the second consecutive positive result, accumulating increase of 4.8%. The quarterly moving average index decreased 2.4% between January and February, keeping the downward trend which started in October, with accumulated loss of 17.4%.

 

Compared to February 2008, there was decrease of 20.5%, practically repeating the result of last January (-20.7%). This is a consequence of decreases in 11 of the 14 activities surveyed. The main negative contributions came from automotive vehicles (-34.2%) and machinery and equipment (-30.5%), followed by footwear and leather articles (-27.9%), other chemical products (-26.8%) and food products (-14.3%). The highlights were, respectively, decreases in car and car pieces and accessories; hydraulic tools for non-electric engines and harvesting machines; leather footwear; polypropylene, ethylene and polyethylene; and juices and fruit concentrated preparations and poultry. The positive highlight occurred due to petroleum refining and alcohol production (2.8%).

 

The index accumulated in the last 12 months (-2.5%) had the first negative result since March 2007 (-0.1%) and has remained on a downward e keeps the downward trend which started in September (6.1%). The index accumulated in the first two months, -20.6%, points to acceleration of decrease in comparison with the -7.8% of the last quarter of 2008.  There was decrease in eleven activities, being the highlight other chemical products (-40.4%), automotive vehicles (-34.3%), machinery and equipment (-26.5%), footwear and leather articles (-27.1%) and food products (-13.1%).

 

 

 

GOIÁS 

 

In February, the seasonally adjusted industrial production of Goiás fell 0.5% compared to January, after decrease of 1.8% in January, accumulating decrease of 2.2%. The quarterly moving average declined 0.5% between January and February, the seventh consecutive negative rate, with accumulated decrease of 7.9%.

 

Compared to February 2008, the decrease of 11.1% was the major one in this time series, which started in 2003. This is due to the negative performance of the five subsectors surveyed, being the highlight chemical products (-43.6%) and food products and beverages (-5.3%). In these subsectors, the items medicines and fertilizers or manure, in the former subsector; and powdered milk and soybean tart, bagasse and meal, in the latter, were the main highlights.

 

The rate accumulated in the last 12 months also faced decrease, and changed from 8.5% to 5.1% between December and February this year. The index accumulated in the first two months was -9.2%; it decelerated in comparison with the result of the last quarter of 2008 (1.6%), with decrease in four activities, being the highlight chemical products (-36.3%) and food products and beverages (-3.5%). The only positive result was that of mining and quarrying industry (2.8%).