There was increase in comparison with March 2005, with positive rates ranging from 0.1% in Goiás to 17.5% in Pará. In the other areas, the best results were those of: Ceará (12.3%), Amazonas (8.5%), Minas Gerais (7.3%), São Paulo (6.8%), Bahia (5.9%), Northeast Region (4.6%), Pernambuco (3.9%), Espírito Santo (2.0%), Santa Catarina (1.7%) and Rio de Janeiro (1.3%). Falls occurred only in Rio Grande do Sul (-1,0%) and in Paraná (-3,2%).

 

The acceleration of the rhythm of production from the fourth quarter of 2005 (1.3%) to the first quarter of 2006 (4.6%) – in comparison with the same period last year – was also observed in 13 of the 14 areas surveyed by IBGE’s Monthly Industrial Survey – Regional Physical Production –(PIM – PRFegional). The presence of segments of consumer goods and of semi-durable and non-durable goods and the continuation of exports account for the good performance of places presenting the major gains between these periods: Pará (12.6%), Amazonas (10.6%) and Ceará (10.3%).

In the end of the first quarter this year, there were increases above the national average in the industries of Pará (12.65), Amazonas (10.6%), Ceará (10.3%),  Bahia (6.6%), Minas Gerais (6.5%), Rio de Janeiro (5.1%) and São Paulo (4.7%) – where some of the highlights were: iron ore, television sets, cotton cloth, cellulose, petroleum and cars. Also increased, but below the average,  the Northeast Region (3.3%), Pernambuco (3.2%), Espírito Santo (2.2%), Goiás (1.4%) and Santa Catarina (1.2%).Once more only Rio Grande do Sul (-1.7%) and Paraná (-5.5%) had negative results, with the main influences concentrated in the activities of machinery and equipment and automotive vehicles, respectively.

Amazonas

In March, industry had positive results relative to the main indicators: 8.5% in comparison with March 2005; 10.6% accumulated in the first quarter; 11.3% accumulated in the last 12 months.

 

The monthly index reflected the positive performance of 6 of the 11 sectors surveyed, mainly influenced by the subsector electronic equipment and communication equipment (17.0%). Another relevant contribution was that of other transportation equipment (17.5%).

 

Among the subsectors presenting negative rates, the most relevant ones were: chemical products (-42.3%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-8.9%).

 

There was acceleration of the rhythm of growth from the fourth quarter of 2005 (1.9%) to the first quarter of 2006 (10.6%), in comparison with the previous years. This movement was observed in 8 subsectors, especially in electronic material and communication equipment (from 0.8% to 17.6%), and, to a lower extent, in other transportation equipment (from 12.1% to 22.8%).

 

The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months (11.3%) still presents a two-digit rate, although there is stability in relation to January (11.9%) and February (11.8%).

 

 

Pará

 

In March 2006, industry also had positive results in the main comparisons: 17.5% versus the same month in 2005; 12.6% in the first quarter; and 5.7% accumulated in the last 12 months.

 

In relation to March last year, there was expansion of mining and quarrying industry (28.6%). The principal reason accounting for this performance was the bigger foreign demand for iron ore. In the manufacturing industry, there was more moderate increase, with metallurgy (12.9%) and food products and beverages as the main highlights (15.2%).

 

The growth of 12.6% in the first quarter of 2006 - the best result since the beginning of the series -  shows clear acceleration in relation to the last two quarters of 2005 (the previous rates were:1.2% from July to September and 3.9% from October to December). This process can be seen as a consequence of the performance of the mining and quarrying industry, which went from 5.1% in the third, to 9.5% in the following quarter of 2005, and reached 26.5% in the first three months of 2006.

 

The index accumulated in 12 months (5.7%) shows acceleration in comparison with January (3.8%) and February (4.5%). 

 

 

Northeast Region

 

The industrial production increased by 4.6% in March, in comparison with the same month in the previous year; 3.3% in the first quarter and 1.6% in the last 12 months.

 

In the first comparison, expansion occurred due to the growth of 9 of the 11 subsectors surveyed. The major positive impacts came from textile industry (19.9%), cellulose and paper (24.5%) and metallurgy (10.8%). On the other hand, apparel (-9.8%) and mining and quarrying (-2.8%) were the only two negative contributions. 

 

The industry in the Northeast Region had acceleration from the fourth quarter of 2005 (0.6%) to the first quarter of 2006 (3.3%), with the contribution of 7 of the 9 subsectors surveyed. The highlights, in this case, were: textiles (from -12.6% to 8.6%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (from -3.7% to 1.1%).

 

The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months of 2006 (3.3%) resulted from the positive performance of 9 of the 11 activities surveyed. The most relevant positive contributions came from cellulose and paper (29.4%), metallurgy (12.4%) and textile industry (8.6%). The main negative impact came from apparel (-18.3%).

 

The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months (1.6%) interrupted the downward trend which had started in May 2005.

 

 Ceará

 

The industrial production increased by 12.3% in March,  compared to the same month in the previous year; a rate of 10.3% was accumulated in the first quarter, but there was decline (-0.3%) accumulated in the last 12 months.

 

Of the 10 subsectors surveyed, 6 contributed positively to the formation of the rate of 12.3%.The main contributions came from textile industry (28.0%) and petroleum refining and communication equipment (91.5%). On the other hand the main negative contributions were apparel (-18.7%) and footwear and leather articles (-5.3%).

 

The industry of Ceará, having grown 10.3% in the first quarter of 2006 inverted the results of the last quarter of 2005 (-7.9%), with the contribution of 8 of the 10 subsectors surveyed and with textile industry as the main highlight (from -19.1% to 13.1%) and footwear and leather articles (from -18.9% to 5.6%).

 

The expansion in the first three months of the year reflected the positive changes of 8 of the 10 activites surveyed. Among the increasing ones, there are: textile industry (13.1%) petroleum refining  and alcohol production (47.5%) and chemical products (46.5%). The most relevant negative impacts  were apparel (-18.8%) and non-metallic minerals (-16.3%).

 

The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months remained negative, but with deceleration of the rhythm of decrease, having changed from 1.3% to -0.3% between February and March.

 

 

Pernambuco

 

In March, industry increased by 3.9% in relation to the same month of 2005; 3.2% in the first quarter of the year and 2.9% accumulated in the last 12 months.

 

The growth (3.9%) was the fifth consecutive one, with positive results in 8 of the 11 activities surveyed; the main contribution came from rubber and plastic (54.5%). It is also worth mentioning the good performance of food products and beverages (5.2%) and of non-metallic minerals (21.4%).  

 

The loss of dynamism from the last quarter of 2005 to the first quarter of 2006 (3.2%) reflected, mainly, the deceleration in the rhythm of growth of food products and beverages (from 10.0% to 6.4%), the most important industrial subsector in  Pernambuco. There was also the fall of chemical products (from -3.4% to -16.2%).

 

The increase (3.2%) in the first quarter was observed in 7 of the 11 indusrtial subsectors. The main positive impacts were: food products and beverages (6.4%) and metallurgy (15.2%). The principal losses occurred in chemical products (-16.2%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-42.7%).

 

There was slight deceleration of the rate accumulated in the last 12 months between February and March (2.9%).

 

 

Bahia

 

In March 2006, the industrial production increased by 5.9% in relation to the previous year; 6.6% in the first quarter and 4.8% accumulated in the last 12 months.

 

The monthly indicator (5.9%) was the ninth consecutive positive result, reflecting the expansion of 7 of the 9 activities surveyed. The main item in this case was cellulose and paper (27.6%). It is also worth mentioning petroleum refining and alcohol production (8.0%) and metallurgy (7.8%). On the other hand, the main negative pressures came from automotive vehicles (-11.8%) and mining and quarrying industry (-1.0%).

 

The increase in the first quarter of 2006 (6.6%) was above that of thelast quarter of 2005 (4.2%),  mainly due to the favorable performance of the two most important subsectors in Bahia: petroleum refining and alcohol production (from 3.3% to 11.1%); and chemical products (from -4.1% to 0.8%). The quarterly indicator benefited from the positive rates of 7 of the 9 subsectors surveyed. The main positive influences came from petroleum refining and alcohol production (11.1%) and from cellulose and paper (33.1%).

 

The main declines occurred in food products and beverages (-3.0%) ands automotive vehicles (-9.2%).

The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months remained on an upward trend, having reached 4.8% in March, versus 4.3% in February. 

 

Minas Gerais

 

The industrial production in March grew by 7.3% in comparison with the same month in 2005 – the 32nd positive result in this type of comparison. There was expansion (6.5%) in the first quarter of the year, in relation to the same period of 2005; and of 6.2% accumulated in the last 12 months.

 

The monthly increase (7.3%) was mainly caused by the expansion of both the manufacturing (6.3%) and of the mining and quarrying industry (13.6%). In the latter, the highlight was the production of iron ore. In manufacturing industry, 11 of the 12 subsectors increased, with automotive vehicles (9.1%) food products (9.4%) and machinery and equipment (30.3%) as the main positive contributions. The only negative influence was petroleum refinement and alcohol production (-4.3%).

 

The rate of 6.5% in the first quarter indicates accelerated expansion of production, once it was above the 4.9% of the fourth quarter of 2005. This acceleration occurred in 9 of the 13 subsectors surveyed, being chemical products (from -11.3% to 2.2%) and vehicles (6.3% to 11.9%), the main subsector in this case.

  

The expansion in the first quarter was based, above all, on the good performance of mining and quarrying, mainly due to the extraction of iron ore. Manufacturing industry grew 5.3%, with positive results in 11 of the 12 subsectors surveyed.  The principal subsectors in this group were automotive vehicles (11.9%) and food products (7.1%); the only negative result was metallurgy (-1.1%).

 

The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months (6.2%) was constant when compared to that of February (6.1%).

 

 

Espírito Santo

 

In March, the industrial production increased by 2.0% in comparison with the same month in 2005; by 2.2% in the first quarter of 2006; by 0.8% in the last 12 months.

 

The increase in comparison with March 2005 can be explained as a consequence of the manufacturing industry (5.2%), once the rate of mining and quarrying was -7.2%, mainly due to the decrease of the production of iron ore. In terms of manufacturing industry, the main positive highlight was metallurgy (21.2%). Cellulose and paper (-6.2%) was the main negative pressure.

 

The upward trend of the quarterly index changed from 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2005, to 2.2% in the first quarter of 2006. In this period of time, the highlight was the rhythm of metallurgy (from 4.9% to 13.0%) and of food products and beverages (from -4.3% to 7.9%).

 

In the first quarter of 2006, 3 of the 5 subsectors surveyed grew, and the main positive contributions came from metallurgy (13.0%) and from food products and beverages (7.9%). Mining and quarrying with decrease rate of -6.6%, was the main negative impact.

 

There was slight deceleration of the indicator accumulated in the last 12 months, from 1.2% in February to 0.8% in March.

 

Rio de Janeiro

 

The industrial subsector increased in March: 1.3% in comparison with the same period in the previous year; 5.1% accumulated in the first quarter of the year; 3.0% in the last 12 months.

 

In comparison with the same month of 2005, the industrial production in the state increased 1.3%, due, especially, to the positive performance of mining and quarrying industry (15.1%), which has grown for 13 months. It is the main positive contribution to the overall index and has petroleum extraction as its highlight. The manufacturing industry, after four months with positive rates, fell one more time (-1.7%).

 

In this group, metallurgy (-22.9%) was the main negative impact, followed by automotive vehicles (-13.7%). Of the five areas with expansion of production, food products (16.2%), beverages (18.3%) and editing and printing (12.7%) were the main impacts.

 

In the analysis by quarter, the industry of the state (with growth of 5.1%) has had positive results for nine consecutive quarters, with accelerated rhythm of production since the first quarter of 2005. Between the last quarter of last year and the fist one this year, the industrial activity in Rio de Janeiro had the biggest acceleration – from 3.4% to 5.1%. The movement reflected the gain of dynamism of the manufacturing industry (which changed from 0.4% to 2.3%), with beverages (from -0.6% to 17.8%) as the main highlight. Mining and quarrying industry kept the rhythm of growth (from 18.1% to 17.5%).

 

In the indicator of the first quarter of the year, mining and quarrying industry (17.5%) due to the good performance of petroleum extraction was the main positive influence. Manufacturing industry also expanded (2.3%), as a result of the favorable behavior of 6 of the 12 subsectors surveyed, especially food products (15.8%), beverages (17.8%) and editing and printing (13.1%). Metallurgy (-10.9%), affected by the interruption of the activities in a major company of the sector, was the main negative impact.

 

The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months was stable from February (3.1%) to March (3.0%).

 

 

São Paulo

 

The industrial production in São Paulo grew 6.8% in March 2006, in relation to the same month in the previous year, the sixth consecutive positive result in this type of comparison. The indicators for the indicator accumulated in the first quarter of the year (4.7%) and in the last 12 months (3.6%) were also positive.

 

The increase in the monthly comparison resulted from the positive performance of 15 among the 20 subsectors surveyed. The ones which most affected the overall performance were automotive vehicles (13.1%), electronic material and communication equipment (27.3%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (9.2%). Of the five falling subsectors, the main ones were other transportation equipment (-7.0%) and metal products (-3.3%).

 

The increase of 4.7% in the first quarter of 2006 showed acceleration in comparison with the performance of the third and fourth quarter (1.5%) of 2005. Between the fourth quarter of 2005 and the first one this year, there was increase of the participation of 15 subsectors in the formation of the overall rate, being automotive vehicles (from 0.2% to 9.9%) and elecrtonic material and communication equipment (from -1.8% to 25.6%) the main highlights.

 

The increase in the first qurter was influenced by the expansion of 15 of the 20 subsectors surveyed. Automotive vehicles (9.9%) and electronic material and communication equipment (25.6%) also represented the main positive contributions, whereas metal products (-5.6%) and metallurgy (-3.9%) were the main negative contributions.

 

The rate accumulated in the last 12 months, which had been stable between January and February (3.2%), accelerated in March (3.6%).

 

Paraná

 

There was fall of -3.2% in March, in the comparison with the same month in the previous year – the ninth consecutive negative result in this type of comparison. The indicators accumulated in the first quarter of the year and in the last 12 months were also negative: - 5.5% and -1.1%, respectively.

 

The decrease in the monthly comparison resulted, mainly, from the fall in 8 of the 14 subsectors surveyed. The major impacts were machinery and equipment (-15.3%), wood (-19.0%) and editing and printing (-14.7%).  The positive highlights were cellulose and paper (13.0%) and food products (4.4%).

 

The rate accumulated in the first three months of the year (5.5%) showed relative stability of the rhythm of production in relation to the last quarter of 2005 (-5.6%). In the first quarter of this year, 7 of the 14 subsectors surveyed had decrease. The main negative contributions came from automotive vehicles (16.9%), editing and printing (-23.3%) and machinery and equipment (-17.4%). The positive contributions came from cellulose and paper (10.4%) and rubber and plastic (21.6%).

 

There was fall of the industry of Paraná (-1.1%), considering the indicator accumulated in the last 12 months,; it contributed to the deceleration of the production rhythm to February (-0.6%).

 

 

Santa Catarina

 

In March, the industrial production increased 1.7% in comparison with the same month in the previous year, after having had a negative result in February (0.4%). The indicator accumulated in the first quarter of the year was 1.2%, whereas the rate accumulated in the last 12 months decreased (-1.5%).

 

The contribution to the formation of the monthly index came from 7 of the 11 subsectors surveyed, especially automotive vehicles (29.6%) and rubber and plastic (24.4%). It is also worth mentioning the increment to the textile industry (10.0%). Among the activities which fell, food products (7.3%) and wood (-17.6%) were the main impacts.

 

With the quarterly result of 1.2%, the industry of Santa Catarina inverted the falling trend observed in the last two quarters of last year (7.4% and -3.7%, respectively).  This movement can be explained by the performance of machinery and equipment, which changed from -15.9% in the period Oct-Dec to 0.8% between January and March, followed by apparel (from -13.7% to 0.6%) and rubber and plastic (from 5.8% to 22.2%).

 

In the indicator accumulated in the first three months of the year, there was expansion of 7 of the 11 activities surveyed, and the main impacts were: automotive vehicles (27.8%) and rubber and plastic (22.2%). Other positive contributions came from the textile industry (4.3%) and from electric machines, appliances and equipment (9.5%). Food products (-6.5%) and wood (-18.7%) were the main negative impacts.

 

The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months (-1.5%) has decreaed since February 2005 (13.3%).

 

 

Rio Grande do Sul

 

Industry had, in March, negative results relative to the main indicators: -1.0% in comparison with March 2005; -1.7% accumulated in the first quarter; and -3.2% accumulated in the last 12 months.

 

The decrease of the monthly indicator (1.0%) was explained by the negative performance of 8 of the 14 subsectors surveyed, especially machinery and equipment (11.0%) and metal products (12.9). Food products, on the other hand (6.3%) and footwear and leather articles (6.1%) were the main positive contributions.

 

In the first quarter of 2006, the decrease of -1.7% was lower than that observed in the third (-4.1%) and fourth (-3.9%) quarters of 2005. Between the third quarter of last year and the first quarter of 2006, 9 subsectors increased their contributions to the overall rate. Footwear and leather articles was the segment with the major increase in participation (from 15.9% to -2.4%).

 

In the first quarter of the year, three was reduction of the production of 9 of 14 subsectors; the main negative impacts came from machinery and equipment (16.1%) and metal products (-11.4%). On the other hand, the positive results came from food products (-5.5%) and tobacco (7.8%).

 

The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months, with rate of -3.2%, interrupted the downward trend of production observed since December 2004, although the final figure was still negative.

 

Goiás

 

In March 2006, the production remained practically unchanged (0.1%) in relation to the same month last year. There was expansion both in the quarter (1.4%) and accumulated in the last 12 months (2.7%).

Concerning the change of 0.1% in relation to March 2005, 3 of the 5 activities surveyed had positive results, with metallurgy (11.5%) and chemical products (7.2%) as the main positive impacts. On the other hand, food products and beverages (-2.4%), the most important activity in the local industry, was the biggest negative influence.

 

The industry of Goiás, having grown by 1.4% in the first quarter of 2006, inverted the trend in the last quarter of 2005 (-1.5%). To this result contributed 3 of the 5 subsectors surveyed, especially chemical products, which changed from -17.1% to 3.9%.

 

In terms of the indicator accumulated in the first quarter of 2006, there was increase in 4 of the 5 subsectors. The main impacts were food products and beverages (2.1%0, metallurgy (12.8%) and non-metallic minerals (17.3%). On the other hand mining and quarrying (-25.4%) was the only subsector with a negative result.

 

The indicator accumulated in the last 12 months showed deceleration of the rhythm of growth from February (3.4%) to March (2.7%).