In March, the seasonally adjusted regional indexes of industrial production increased in comparison with those in February, in eight of the 14 areas surveyed, being the highlight Rio de Janeiro (5.4%), Pernambuco (5.1%) and Minas Gerais (3.4%). Pará and Ceará (both with 1.5%) and São Paulo (1.0%) complete the group of areas with rates above the national average (0.7%). Santa Catarina (0.3%), Northeast Region (0.1%), Amazonas and Bahia (both with 0.0%) remained almost at the same level as in the previous month. There was production decrease in Espírito Santo (-4.2%), Paraná (-2.3%), Goiás (-1.1%) and Rio Grande do Sul (-0.9%).

 

In the comparison March09/March 08, there was decrease of production in 13 of the 14 areas. Paraná, with expansion of 4.1%, was the only area to have a positive rate, due to the performance of editing and printing. All the areas had decrease in the first quarter of 2009, compared to the same period in 2008. Below the national average (-14.7%) were: Espírito Santo (-31.6%), Minas Gerais (-24.4%), Amazonas (-19.4), Rio Grande do Sul (-16.9%) and São Paulo (-15.1%).

 

There was deceleration of production from the third quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009 in all the 14 areas surveyed, with the most significant decreases coming from Amazonas (from -4.6% to -19.4%), Espírito Santo (from -18.6% to -31.6%), Minas Gerais (from -12.9% to -24.4%), São Paulo (from -4.4% to -15.1%) and Rio Grande do Sul (from -7.8% to -16.9%).

 

The evolution from the first quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 – seasonally adjusted series – pointed to decrease in all the areas surveyed, except of Paraná (1.5%), for the second consecutive period. In these two quarters, there was reduction of the rhythm of decrease in Espírito Santo (from -21.1% to  -13.4%), Paraná (from -4.4% to 1.5%), Minas Gerais (from -16.5% to -10.9%) and Bahia (from -8.5% to -3.5%), with bigger losses in Rio de Janeiro (from -4.4% to -7.3%), Amazonas (from -7.3% to -9.7%) and São Paulo (from -8.1% to -8.9%).

 

Also considering the seasonally adjusted series, the continuous acceleration of production in the industrial sector n the first three months of the year indicates increase of 4.8% between March and December for the total of Brazil. In terms of areas, ten of the fourteen subsectors surveyed had similar performances.

 

AMAZONAS

 

In March, the seasonally adjusted industrial production of Amazonas was stable (0.0%) compared to the previous month, having accumulated decrease of 8.4% since the beginning of the year. The quarterly moving average index fell 2.9% between March and February, resulting in accumulated decrease of 16.3%.

 

Compared to March 2008, there was decrease (14.7%), the fifth consecutive negative rate. There was decrease in eight of the 11 subsectors surveyed, being the highlight, electronic material and communication equipment (-33.3%), other transportation equipment (-34.1%) and metal products (-15.2%).

 

The highlights were the decreases in production of mobile telephones and television sets; motorcycles, their parts and pieces; and shavers. Then main positive contribution came from food products and beverages (18.0%).

 

The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months reached -3.6% in March, the lowest rate since April 2007 (-3.7%). In terms of quarterly indicators, production in the first quarter of 2009 decreased by 19.4% compared to the same period in 2008 and by 9.7% compared to the immediately previous quarter – seasonally adjusted series.

 

PARÁ

 

In March, the industry of Pará increased 1.5% compared to February, in the seasonally adjusted series; it was the third consecutive positive rate, with increase of 3.9% accumulated in the period. The quarterly moving average index increased 1.3% between February and March, after four negative results.

 

Compared to march 2008, there was decrease of 2.3%, the fourth negative rate. Four of the six activities surveyed, had negative performance. The main impacts came from mining and quarrying industry Os (-10.7%), wood (-27.3%) and non-metallic minerals (-24.0%), being the highlight the decreases in iron ore; compensated wood; and processed kaolin. The main positive contribution came from metallurgy (16.2%).

 

The indicator accumulated in the last 12 month decreased by 2.0% in March. The first quarter of 2009 decreased by 6.6% compared to the same period in 2008 and by -3.5% compared to the immediately previous quarter – seasonally adjusted series.

 

NORTHEAST REGION

The seasonally industrial activity in the Northeast Region increased 0.1% in March, compared to February. It was the third consecutive positive rate, with accumulated increase of 5.4%. The quarterly moving average increased 1.8% between February and March, interrupting a sequence of four falling results, a period in which it accumulated decrease of 8.9%.

 

Compared to March 2008, there was decrease of 4.9%, with falling results in eight of the 11 subsectors surveyed. The main positive impact came from chemical products (-12.0%), followed by metallurgy (-22.9%) and electric machines, appliances and material (-40.8%), being the highlight the production decreases of vinyl polychloride and styrene-butadiene rubber; copper bars, profiles and square bars and carbon steel square bars; and coal electrodes, brushes and articles; and electric batteries. The subsector of food products (5.8%) accounted for the main positive contribution.

 

The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months decrease by 2.4%, and has remained on a downward trend since September. In the first quarter of 2009, result were negative both in relation to the previous year (-9.4%), and in relation to the last quarter in 2008 (-2.1%) – seasonally adjusted series.

 

 

 

CEARÁ

 

In March 2009, the industrial production of Ceará increased 1.5% compared to the immediately previous month, in the seasonally adjusted series; it was the second consecutive positive rate, with accumulated increase of 2.4% between January and March. The quarterly moving average index increased by 0.8%, after four months with consecutive negative rates, a period in which it accumulated decline of 7.2%.

 

Compared to March 2008, there was decrease of 7.0%. Among the 10 subsectors surveyed, 7 had decline, being the highlight food products and beverages, due to the reduced production of toasted cashew nuts, and chemical products (-18.8%), metallurgy (-55.5%) and textiles (-4.9%), due, respectively, to decreases in the items veterinary vaccines, copper bars and carbon steel bars; and cotton cloth. The main positive contribution came from petroleum refining and alcohol production.

 

In the end of the first quarter of 2009, the results were also negative both in relation to the same period in the previous year and in relation to the last quarter of 2008 (-3.0%). The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months was -0.4%.

 

PERNAMBUCO

 

In March 2009, the industrial production of Pernambuco increased 5.1% in relation to February, in the seasonally adjusted series, after decreasing by 5.4% in the previous year. The quarterly moving average index increased by 1.7%, interrupting a sequence of 7.9% accumulated in the last four months.

 

Compared to March last year, the decrease was 8.2%, with negative rates in 9 of the 11 activities surveyed. The main negative contribution came from chemical products (-24.1%), with significant decrease of styrene-butadiene rubber and oxygen, followed by metallurgy (-18.6%), electric machines, appliances and equipment (-25.3%). Food products and beverages (9.9%) was the main positive contribution.

 

Production decreased 11.0% in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2008 and 1.6% compared to the immediately previous quarter (seasonally adjusted series). The quarterly moving average indicator accumulated in the last 12n months faced reduction of rhythm from February (-0.8%) to March (-2.2%).

BAHIA

 

In March, the industrial production of Bahia remained stable (0.0%) in relation to February, in the seasonally adjusted series, after increase of 13.8% in February. The quarterly moving average was positive (4.3%) after a sequence of five negative results, when there was accumulated decrease of 15.3%.

 

In relation to March 2008, there was decrease of 2.4%. There were negative rates in four of the nine subsectors surveyed. The main negative impacts came from metallurgy (-37.2%), chemical products (-3.3%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-1.7%), mainly due to the reduced production of copper bars, profiles and square bars; low-density polyethylene and diesel. The main positive contribution came from food products and beverages (14.0%).

 

In the quarterly analysis, the first quarter of the year was negative (-10.0%) compared to the same quarter in the previous year and compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 (-3.5%) – seasonally adjusted series. The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months, on a downward trend since September 2008 (5.1%), decreased 1.1% in March.

MINAS GERAIS

 

Production in the industry of Minas Gerais increased 3.4% between February and March, in the seasonally adjusted series, the third consecutive positive rate, when there was accumulated increase of 11.5%. The quarterly moving average industry increased 3.7%, accumulating decrease of 28.4% in six months.

 

In relation to March 2008, the negative rate of 18.0% reached 9 of the 13 subsectors surveyed. Negative highlights were metallurgy (-36.1%), due to the reduced production iron-niobium and steel ingots, blocks, billets or plates; and of mining and quarrying industry (-40.8%), due to the reduced extraction of iron ore. Other highlights, accounting for negative contributions, were automotive vehicles (-11.8%), machinery and equipment (29.6%) and metal products (-32.0%). Food products, with increase of 10.4%, represented the most significant positive contribution.

 

In the first quarter of the year, there was decrease both in relation to the same period in the previous year (-24.4%) and in relation to the immediately previous quarter (-10.9%) – seasonally adjusted series. The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months decreased 6.0%.

 

ESPÍRITO SANTO

 

In March, the seasonally adjusted industrial production of Espírito Santo decreased 4.2% compared to the previous month, after increase of 8.2% in February. The quarterly moving average index fell 0.6%, the eighth consecutive negative contribution, having accumulated decrease of 32.5% since August.

 

Compared to March 2008, there was decrease of 32.0%. Among the five subsectors surveyed, four faced decreases, being the highlights metallurgy (-48.1%), mining and quarrying industry (-40.9%) and cellulose and paper (-29.8%). Significant decreases occurred in carbon-steel steel ingots, blocks, billets or plates; iron ore; and cellulose. The only positive contribution came from food products and beverages (3.0%).

 

The first quarter of the year decreased both in comparison with the same quarter in the previous year (-31.6%) and with the immediately previous quarter (-13.4%) – seasonally adjusted series. The index accumulated in the last 12 months was -5.9%.

 

RIO DE JANEIRO

In March, the seasonally adjusted industrial production of Rio de Janeiro increased 5.4% in relation to February, interrupting a sequence of five months with falling rates, a period in which it accumulated decrease of 14.6%. The quarterly moving average index increased 0.7% between the quarters which ended in February and March, after being on a downward trend in February.

Compared to March 2008, there was reduction of 7.9%, mainly affected by pharmaceutical industry (-53.6%), metallurgy (-24.6%), automotive vehicles (-24.3%), other chemical products (-15.7%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-8.8%). In these subsectors, the highlights were the decreases in the items carbon-steel bobbins and bars; cars and trucks; herbicides and diesel. Among the three industrial activities which had positive rates, the main contribution came from beverages (18.8%). Mining and quarrying industry increased 17.9%, keeping a sequence of 12 positive rates and representing the main impact on the overall average.

 

Results of the first quarter of 2009 were also negative both in relation to the same period in the previous year (-11.4%) and in relation to the last quarter of 2008 (-7.3%) – seasonally adjusted series. The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months fell 2.3%.

 

SÃO PAULO

 

In March, the seasonally adjusted industrial production of São Paulo increased 1.0% compared to the previous month; it was the third consecutive positive result, with accumulated increase of 4.3%. The quarterly moving average index, on a downward trend since September 2008, accumulated decrease of 17.7% and remained positive between March and February (1.4%).

 

Compared to March 2008, there was decrease of 10.5%. Negative results reached 15 of the 20 activities surveyed, being the highlights electronic machines and communication equipment (-59.8%), machinery and equipment (-31.8%) and automotive vehicles (-15.9%). In these activities, the highlights were decrease in mobile telephony equipment; carriers-transporters; truck pieces; engine pieces. The main positive impact came from pharmaceutical industry (40.0%).

 

 

In the analysis by quarter, the São Paulo industry faced decrease of -15.1% compared to the first quarter of 2008 and of 8.9% compared to the immediately previous quarter (seasonally adjusted series). The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months reached -0.5% in March, the first negative rate since February 2004 (-0.3%).

 

PARANÁ

 

In March, the seasonally adjusted industrial production of Paraná fell by 2.3% compared to February, after two consecutive positive rates, when there was accumulated increase of 14.2%. The quarterly moving average increased 3.6% between March and February, after changing 0.3% in the previous month.

 

Compared to march 2008, there was increase of 4.1%. Among the 14 activities surveyed, six had positive performances. Editing and printing (155.9%) was the most significant contribution to the overall rate, due to the increase of orders of paperback books or printed teaching material, followed by chemical products (49.6%) and food products (6.6%). Negative contributions came from automotive vehicles (-26.7%).

 

The quarterly production faced decrease of 0.9% compared to the same quarter in the previous year and increase of 1.5% compared to the immediately previous quarter (seasonally adjusted series). The index accumulated in 12 months reached 5.9%.

 

SANTA CATARINA

 

In March, the industrial production of Santa Catarina increased 0.3% compared to the previous month, in the seasonally adjusted series, after decrease of 4.4%. The quarterly moving average remained practically stable (-0.1%) between the quarters which ended in February and March, reducing the intensity of the negative rates of the last five months.

 

Compared to March 2008, there was decrease of 10.5%, explained by the decline in 9 of the 11 subsectors surveyed, being the highlight the negative contributions from machinery and equipment (-23.6%) and automotive vehicles (-37.6%). In these subsectors the highlights were the items refrigerators and freezers, and compressors used for refrigeration; and truck and bus trunks. The main positive contribution came from food products and beverages (4.5%).

 

In the end of the first quarter of 2009, negative results both in comparison with the same period in the previous year (-14.2%) and in relation to the last quarter of 2008 (-5.5%) – seasonally adjusted series. The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months decreased 4.6%.

 

RIO GRANDE DO SUL

 

In March, the industrial production of Rio Grande do Sul decreased 0.9% in relation to the immediately previous month, in the seasonally adjusted series, after two months with positive rates, a period in which it accumulated increase of 4.7%. The quarterly moving average index, which had been on a downward trend since October, increased 1.2% between March and February.

 

Compared to March 2008, there was decrease of 10.1%, with decline in eight of the 14 subsectors surveyed. The most significant negative impacts came from machinery and equipment (-33.8%), footwear and leather articles (-25.0%) and automotive vehicles (-20.8%). In these subsectors the highlights were the decreases in air-conditioning appliances, non-electric hydraulic tools; leather footwear; axes and semi-axes; and other transmission pieces.  The main positive contribution came from petroleum refining and alcohol production (14.8%).

 

In terms of quarterly indexes, results were negative both compared to the same quarter in the previous year (-16.9%) and compared to the immediately previous quarter (-6.7%) – seasonally adjusted series. The index accumulated in the last 12 months was 3.3%.

 

GOIÁS

 

In March, the seasonally adjusted industrial production of Goiás decreased 1.1% in relation to February, in the seasonally adjusted series, the third consecutive negative rate, accumulating decrease of 3.1% in the period. The quarterly moving average index has kept a sequence of eight negative results, with decrease of 1.0 between February and March.

 

Compared to March 2008, there has been decrease of 4.9%. Reduction reached four of the five activities surveyed, being the highlights chemical products (-32.2%) and food products and beverages (-2.0%), where the highlights were the decreases in medicines; powdered milk; and fresh beef. The main positive impact came from mining and quarrying industry (4.5%).

 

Compared to the same quarter in the first semester of 2009, the results were negative both in relation to the same month in the previous year and in relation the previous year (-7.5%) and to the last quarter of 2008 (-3.3%) – seasonally adjusted series. The index accumulated in the last 12 months decreased 4.3%.