In August, the industrial production remained in expansion for all surveyed locations according to the different comparisons. Compared to August of last year, the industries in Santa Catarina (20.7%), São Paulo (19.8%), Ceará (19.3%), Paraná (18.8%) and Rio Grande do Sul (13.2%) registered greater growth rates than Brazil’s total (13.1%). The results were as follows in the other regions: Amazonas (11.3%), Pará (10.2%), Minas Gerais (9.6%), Northeast region (8.9%), Pernambuco (8.2%), Bahia (7.1%), Espírito Santo (5.0%), Rio de Janeiro (4.4%) and Goiás (3.0%).

The positive rates were also reached in all surveyed areas in the accrued indicator for the first eight months. The greatest increases in production in the industrial sector were registered in Amazonas (13.9%), with a highlight for the production of electro-electronics and cellular phones; in São Paulo (12.4%), maintaining a sequence of eight positive rates, mainly sustained by production of the automotive and electronic material and communications equipment sectors; and in Santa Catarina (11.3%), mainly leveraged by the increase in production for foods and household appliances. The industrial structure in these states has a strong presence in the durable consumer goods and capital goods segments, which are leading segments in this current phase of expansion for manufacturing activity. Pará (9.1%) and Bahia (8.9%) registered increases greater than the 8.8% observed throughout the country. The other locations registered the following results: Ceará (8.3%), Rio Grande do Sul (8.2%), Paraná (7.8%), Pernambuco (6.9%), Northeast region (6.3%), Goiás (5.3%), Minas Gerais (4.1%), Espírito Santo (3.9%) and Rio de Janeiro (0.7%).

The regional evolution for the accrued rate for the last twelve months confirmed the generalization of growth for industrial activity, already observed at a national level, with a highlight for Santa Catarina (from 3.2% in July to 5.9% in August) and São Paulo (from 6.8% to 8.8%). Out of the fourteen surveyed areas, only Espírito Santo (2.1%) and Goiás (4.3%) did not register a variation in the rhythm of this indicator between July and August.

Amazonas

The industry of Amazonas again registered an expansion in the monthly index (11.3%) in August. In the broader indexes, the state reached a 13.9% growth rate in the accrued year and 11.8% in the last twelve accrued months, results that grant it leadership, in terms of the rate’s magnitude, among the fourteen surveyed areas.

In the monthly comparison (11.3%), nine out of 11 activities register positive performances, with a highlight for the main contributions of electronic material and communications equipment (28.7%) and other transport equipment (17.2%). On the other hand, food and beverages (-15.9%) and oil refining and alcohol production (-14.2%) registered negative rates.

In the accrued production for the year, in the January-August period, ten fields had positive performances, with highlights for the main impacts including electronic material and communications equipment (31.3%) and rubber and plastic (38.4%). The only sector with a decrease in production was metal products (-8.7%).

Pará

In August, the industry of Pará registered 10.2% in growth compared to the same month of the previous year, a result that is slightly lower than July (11.8%). The indicators for broader periods also registered expansions: 9.1% in the accrued year and 8.8% in the last twelve months.

In the August 04/August 03 comparison, the increase of 10.2% for the industry of Pará was mainly determined by the performance of the extractive industry (16.3%), which corresponds to more than 40.0% of the state’s industrial structure. Another relevant positive contribution came from the wood sector (18.3%). On the other hand, the only negative pressure came from basic metallurgy (-0.5%).

The increase of 9.1% in the accrued January-August period was caused by the growth of the six surveyed activities, with the greatest positive impacts coming from the extractive industry (11.4%), basic metallurgy (5.7%) and cellulose and paper (25.2%).

Northeast

In August, the Northeast region registered growth in the main industrial production indicators: 8.9% in the monthly indicator, 6.3% in the accrued year and 3.1% in the last twelve accrued months.

In the monthly indicator, the growth of 8.9% for the northeastern industry was due to the expansion in 11 surveyed industrial sectors. The largest positive impacts were noted in the food and beverage (9.2%), textile (24.0%) and oil refining and alcohol production (14.0%) activities.

In the accrued year until August, compared to the same period in 2003, ten out of 11 manufacturing activities registered positive rates. This result is mainly explained by the good performance of oil refining and alcohol production (14.5%), food and beverages (7.4%) and other chemical products (5.9%). On the other hand, basic metallurgy (-8.4%) was the only sector to register a retraction.

Ceará

In August, the industrial production of Ceará registered an expansion of 19.3% compared to the same month of last year, a result that maintains the growth rhythm well above the national average (13.1%). The other indicators for broader periods were also positive: 8.3% in the accrued year and 3.9% in the last twelve accrued months.

For the fourth month in a row, the industry of Ceará registered growth compared to the same month of the previous year. Nine out of 10 surveyed industrial activities contributed positively for the formation of the 19.3% rate, with textiles (17.9%) as a highlight. Other relevant positive impacts came from the food and beverage (11.3%), footwear and leather items (18.3%) and clothing and accessories (37.8%) sectors. The only activity to register a retraction was metal products (-6.3%).

Six out of 10 industrial sectors registered positive results in the accrued indicator for the January-August period. The greatest influences came from food and beverages (14.1%) and footwear and leather items (18.1%). On the other hand, the greatest negative pressures were exerted by oil refining and alcohol production (-4.5%) and by non-metallic minerals (-6.2%).

Pernambuco

The industry of Pernambuco expanded by 8.2% in August, compared to the same month of the previous year, a result that was much greater than in July (3.3%). The indexes were also positive for the indicators of broader periods: 6.9% in the accrued year and 5.9% in the last twelve accrued months. The basic metallurgy activity registered the most significant growth for the three main industrial indicators.

In the monthly indicator, the industry of Pernambuco registered an expansion for the seventh month in a row, with an increase in seven out of 11 surveyed activities. The leadership, in terms of contribution towards the global result (8.2%), remained with the basic metallurgy sector (39.8%). The increases registered for other chemical products (13.3%) and non-metallic minerals (21.0%) are also noteworthy. On the other hand, the main negative contributions came from electric machines, devices and materials (-25.5%) and metal products (-9.4%).

In the accrued index for the year, compared to the same period in the previous year, the industry of Pernambuco increased 6.9%, with positive rates in seven out of 11 surveyed industrial sectors. Basic metallurgy (24.8%) accounted for the main positive contribution. The good performance of food and beverages (6.5%) and chemical products (7.8%) should also be mentioned. On the other hand, the greatest losses were registered by textiles (-5.0%) and non-metallic minerals (-1.1%).

Bahia

In August, the industrial production of Bahia increased 7.1% compared to the same month of the previous year, a result that is greater than that obtained in July (5.8%). The other indicators were also positive: 8.9% in the accrued year and 4.6% in the last twelve accrued months.

The industry of Bahia registered a positive rate for the seventh month in a row in the monthly indicator. Eight out of nine industrial sectors contributed positively towards the formation of the rate, with the most significant impact being observed with oil refining and alcohol production (14.3%). Food and beverages (11.2%) and basic metallurgy (14.5%) also stood out. On the negative side, cellulose and paper (-1.2%) was the only activity to register a retraction.

With regards to the accrued indicator for the year, there was growth in all surveyed industrial sectors. As with the monthly indicator, the greatest positive impact came from oil refining and alcohol production (14.2%). The expansion of the other chemical products (7.3%) and basic metallurgy (13.9%) sectors was also relevant.

Minas Gerais

The main industrial indicators in the state of Minas Gerais were positive in August. The monthly index registered a growth rate of 9.6%. For longer periods, the accrued year advanced 4.1% and the last twelve accrued months, 3.4%.

In comparison with August of last year, the industry of Minas Gerais expanded 9.6%, registering its highest rate since January 2001 (12.4%). Out of the 13 surveyed segments, 11 registered growth, with a highlight for automotive vehicles (44.4%), extractive industry (15.9%) and machines and equipment (36.6%). On the other hand, the basic metallurgy (-4.8%) and metal products (-20.8%) activities were the ones that exerted the greatest negative influence in the global result.

In the accrued year, the performance was also positive with the production advancing 4.1% over the same period in the previous year. The area of greatest highlight was that of automotive vehicles, that increased its production by 21.3% during the period. The machines and equipment (21.5%), food (3.4%) and other chemical products (8.7%) sectors followed. On the other hand, metal products (-29.4%) continued to exert a negative impact.

Espírito Santo

The main industrial production indicators for Espírito Santo remained positive in August 2004. There was an increase of 5.0% in the monthly comparison with regards to August of the previous year. In the accrued year, the growth was of 3.9% and the last twelve accrued months (2.1%) remained stable compared to July.

In the monthly index, the industrial production growth in Espírito Santo reflected the expansion in three segments: food and beverages (18.9%), extractive industry (7.4%) and cellulose and paper (5.5%). The only fields with production decreases were: basic metallurgy (-1.0%) and non-metallic minerals (-2.5%).

The accrued production until August changed 3.9%, a rhythm that was very close to July’s (3.7%) and June (4.0%). All segments registered a positive rate, however, the food sector (13.6%) was the area with the greatest impact. In addition to it, another two are noteworthy: basic metallurgy (3.8%) and cellulose and paper (1.7%).

Rio de Janeiro

The industrial sector of Rio de Janeiro, with an increase of 4.4% in August compared to the same month of the previous year, registered the fourth consecutive positive result in this type of comparison. In the indicators for broader periods, the industry of Rio de Janeiro also registered positive rates, although close to zero: 0.7% in the accrued year and 0.4% in the last twelve months. It should be noted that these indexes were greater than those observed in July: 0.6%, 0.2% and –0.6%, respectively.

In the comparison to the same month of the previous year, the industrial production of Rio de Janeiro expanded based on the growth registered by the manufacturing industry (6.6%), the fourth positive result in a row. The extractive industry, in its turn, revealed a retraction in production (-5.4%) for the second month in a row, in this way being one of the main negative impacts on the general industry. Among the nine activities of the manufacturing industry that registered increases, automotive vehicles (44.1%) and non-metallic minerals (41.7%) stood-out. The positive performance of food (15.4%), oil refining and alcohol production (7.1%) and beverages (22.5%) should also be mentioned. On the other hand, the pharmaceutical industry (-14.5%) and publishing and printing (-11.1%) were negative highlights.

In the accrued indicator for the year, the increase of 0.7% was a result of increases registered in eight out of 13 surveyed areas. In the manufacturing industry, corresponding for the greatest positive contribution in the development of the general indicator, automotive vehicles (26.5%), basic metallurgy (6.7%) and non-metallic minerals (18.7%) were noted. Out of four areas in the manufacturing industry that registered negative rates, the main pressures were exerted by pharmaceuticals, with a decrease of 9.6%, and other chemical products (-8.7%). In all, the adverse performance of the extractive industry (-5.5%) throughout the year resulted with this activity having the main negative impact in the industry’s global result.

São Paulo

The industry of São Paulo registered widely positive results in August, mainly driven by areas related to the manufacturing of durable consumer and capital goods. Compared to the previous year, the indexes were as follows: 19.8% compared to August 2003, 12.4% in the accrued year and 8.8% in the last twelve months.

The August 04/ August 03 comparison registered an increase of 19.8%, which contributed towards São Paulo registering the second highest regional performance. Eighteen out of 20 activities registered positive rates, with a highlight, in terms of influence in the general calculation, for electronic material and communications equipment (183.9%) and automotive vehicles (41.3%). On the other hand, two negative impacts were registered: oil refining and alcohol production (-7.2%) and pharmaceuticals (-10.0%).

In the first eight months of the year, the 12.4% growth was due to the positive performance of 19 segments. Automotive vehicles (32.1%) led local growth, being followed by electronic material and communications equipment (59.3%), machines and equipment (22.3%) and other chemicals (14.1%). The only area that registered a decrease in this type of comparison was the pharmaceutical industry (-20.4%).

Paraná

The industrial activity of Paraná increased 18.8% in August compared to the same month of the previous year. In broader periods, it increased 7.8% in the accrued year and 7.3% in the last twelve months.

Compared to August of last year, the industrial production of Paraná (18.8%) registered its highest rate since January 2001 (22.7%), with 10 segments exerting positive influence in the global result. In the group of these activities, four of them were responsible for the greater part of the industrial rate’s growth this month. The greatest positive pressure was exerted by automotive vehicles (71.0%). The second most influent area was that of publishing and printing (121.7%), followed by machines and equipment (29.2%) and food (8.3%). In the group of activities with decreases, other chemical products (-16.9%) should be noted, being the area with the greatest negative pressure on the general rate.

As for the year’s accrued production, the index of 7.8% reflects the positive performance of 10 areas, with automotive vehicles (43.2%) exerting the greatest influence on the global rate. In the meantime, two other areas should be highlighted, considering their importance in the state’s industrial structure: machines and equipment (25.0%) and wood (23.9%). On the other hand, oil refining and alcohol production (-21.0%) performed negatively.

Santa Catarina

The industrial production in the state of Santa Catarina registered a positive rate for the seventh month in a row in August. The monthly indicator’s increase of 20.7% took the state to lead the regional performance, in terms of the rate’s magnitude. As a consequence, the accrued rate for the January-August period reached 11.3%, exceeding the national average (8.8%). The accrued indicator for the last twelve months (5.9%) registered a rate that was higher than the previous month’s (3.2%).

In the August 04/ August 03 comparison, the 20.7% increase was the result of the favorable behavior of 11 surveyed industrial areas. This positive index was mainly influenced by increases registered in food (17.3%) and automotive vehicles (138.7%). Although at a lower scale, the positive contributions of textiles (23.1%), rubber and plastic (30.0%) and electric machines, devices and materials (36.5%) should also be mentioned.

With the accrued production for the year increasing 11.3%, the manufacturing sector of Santa Catarina maintained a growth rhythm that was greater than that registered in July (9.9%). The favorable performance has a generalized profile, since it was registered by nine out of 11 surveyed industrial activities, being that the main highlights remained with food (11.4%) and machines and equipment (17.4%). On the other hand, the only two activities that registered decreases were non-metallic minerals (-5.1%) and clothing (-0.5%).

Rio Grande do Sul

The industry of Rio Grande do Sul registered an increase of 13.2% in August compared to the same month of the previous year. The indicators for broader periods also registered increases: 8.2% in the accrued year and 5.6% in the last twelve accrued months.

According to the monthly indicator, the 13.2% growth for the industry of Rio Grande do Sul reflected the positive performance by 11 out of 14 surveyed areas. The most significant among these were: tobacco (157.2%), machines and equipment (37.9%) and automotive vehicles (36.7%). On the other hand, the greater negative influences on the general calculation came from oil refining and alcohol production (-21.2%) and cellulose and paper (-5.9%).

In the accrued year, 12 out of 14 surveyed areas contributed positively towards the increase of 8.2%. The greatest impacts were exerted by tobacco (31.1%), machines and equipment (21.3%) and automotive vehicles (21.0%). In the meantime, footwear and leather items (-4.4%) and food (-0.2%) exerted the greatest negative pressures.

Goiás

The industrial production of Goiás, according to the monthly indicator, registered a high of 3.0% in August. In the meantime, the indicators for the broader period registered more significant increases: 5.3% in the accrued year and 4.3% in the last twelve accrued months.

In comparison to the same month of the previous year, the 3.0% increase reflected the positive performance by four out of five surveyed areas. The most significant among these were registered by the food and beverages (5.5%) and extractive (25.2%) industries. The only negative contribution came from other chemical products (-19.0%).

The 5.3% increase in the accrued January to August period was also determined by four out of five surveyed activities, with food and beverages (5.8%) and other chemical products (7.3%) exerting the greatest positive pressures. On the other hand, basic metallurgy (-2.4%) was the only negative contribution in the general calculation.