All the reductions were below the national average (-0.1%), in the seasonally adjusted series. In comparison with April 2006 (series without seasonal adjustment), industrial production increased in ten areas.

 

Between April and March 2007, the seasonally adjusted indexes of industrial production decreased in ten of the fourteen areas surveyed. All the areas with reduction of production had rates below the national average (-0.1%), especially Goiás (-4.0%) and Espírito Santo (-3.0%), which had the biggest decreases. Among the areas with increase of production, Rio Grande do Sul (2.9%) and Rio de Janeiro (0.8%) reached the most significant rates, whereas Santa Catarina and São Paulo (both with 0.1%) practically repeat the same pattern of production as in the previous month.

  

In the April 07/April 06 comparison, which, for the total of the country was 6.0%, there was increase in ten of the fourteen areas surveyed. It is worth mentioning that April 2007 had two more business days than the same month in 2006. Among the areas with positive rates, the highlights are Rio Grande do Sul (16.1%) and Paraná (13.2%), with two-digit increases. With growth above the national average were: Minas Gerais (9.7%), Santa Catarina (8.7%) and Pernambuco (6.5%). Also with positive results, but below the overall increase in the country, are: São Paulo (4.7%), Rio de Janeiro (4.5%), Amazonas (3.6%), Espírito Santo (2.1%) and Pará (1.3%). Among the places with falling rates, the most significant reductions were those in Goiás  (-3.1%) and in Bahia (-6.7%).

 

The indexes accumulated in the first four months of the year, in comparison with the same period in 2006, were positive in eleven of the fourteen areas surveyed. The leader was Paraná (9.3%), followed by Rio Grande do Sul (9.0%), both supported, mainly, by the dynamism of the agricultural sector. With rates above the national average (4.3%) were: Minas Gerais (6.8%), Pernambuco (5.8%), Pará and Espírito Santo (both with 5.3%). Santa Catarina and Goiás (both with 4.0%), São Paulo (3.4%), Rio de Janeiro (2.2%) and the Northeast Region (1.7%) also had increase, although below the national average. There was decrease in three areas: Bahia (-0.2%), Amazonas (-1.0%) and Ceará (-2.4%).

 

Amazonas

 

In April, the industrial production in Amazonas decreased in relation to the previous month (-1.3%), in the seasonally adjusted series. This result came after the increase of 1.0% in March. In relation to April 2006, production increased by 3.6%. This way, the decrease rhythm of both the index accumulated in the year and of the index accumulated in the last twelve months decreased (from -2.5% in March to -1.0% I April, and from -4.8% in March to -3.7% in April, respectively.)

 

After two months with negative results, the monthly indicator of industry in the state of Amazonas increase by 3.6%. It was affected, mainly, by the growth of seven among the eleven subsectors surveyed. The main positive contributions to the formation of the overall rate came from food products and beverages (34.8%), machinery and equipment (88.7%), metal products (58.9%) and other transportation equipment (19.0%), which were a counter effect to the contributions of electronic material and communication equipment (-26.3%). In these subsectors, the highlights were: production of syrup for beverage elaboration; microwave ovens; shaving appliances; and motorcycles, whereas, on the other hand, the most significant decreases came from mobile telephones and television sets.

 

The index accumulated in the year decreased (-1.0%) and there were reductions in five of its eleven subsectors. The main negative influence came from electronic material and computer equipment (-33.5%) and from medical/hospital, optical and other equipment (-13.4%). The most significant negative contributions came from food products and beverages (28.5%), followed by machinery and equipment (72.5%) and other transportation equipment (19.2%).

 

Pará

 

In April, industrial production in Pará fell by 1.0% in relation to March, in the seasonally adjusted series. It was the third consecutive negative rate. In comparison with the same month in the previous year, there was increase of 1.3%. The indicators for longer periods also increased: the figure accumulated in the year (5.3%) and in the one accumulated in the last twelve months (12.0%).

The increase by 1.3% in the monthly indicator was mainly a consequence of the performance of mining and quarrying industry, since manufacturing industry faced decrease of 10.1%. In the former, the highlight was extraction of iron ore. In the latter, the main negative contributions came from food products and beverages (025.5%) and cellulose and paper (-31.7%), mainly for the fall of production of frozen crustaceans and cellulose, respectively.

The increase by 5.3% on the indicator accumulated in the period January-April is based on the expansion of two of the sex subsectors surveyed. The main positive impacts on the overall average rate were mining and quarrying industry (12.0%), followed by metallurgy (8.5%). In these subsectors, the main contributions came from iron ore and aluminum oxide, respectively. Food products and beverages (-9.8%) and cellulose and paper (-15.7%) were the most significant negative contributions, and were still affected by the decrease of the production of frozen crustaceans and cellulose.

 

Northeast

 

In April, the industry in the Northeast Region fell by 1.2% in comparison with March, in the seasonally adjusted series, the third consecutive rate. In comparison with the same month in the previous year, there was decrease of 1.9%; in the indicators for longer periods, there was increase by 1.7% in terms of the rate accumulated in the year, and by 2.8% accumulated in the last twelve months.

Industrial production in the Northeast Region, according to the monthly indicator, fell by 1.9%, with decreases in six of the eleven subsector surveyed. The main negative impact came from petroleum refining and alcohol production (-17.5%), followed by cellulose and paper (-14.2%) and chemical products (-2.6%). In these subsectors, the highlights were reductions in the production of diesel, naphtha for petrochemical industry, cellulose and fertilizers, respectively. On the other hand, food products and beverages (7.8%) was the main positive contribution, especially the items ground and roasted coffee and wheat flour.

 

Considering the indicator accumulated in the period January-April, the increase by 1.7% was related to the positive performance of four among the eleven activities surveyed, especially food products and beverages (9.2%). It is also worth mentioning the increases of chemical products (2.3%) and non-metallic minerals (7.6%). In these subsectors, the main increases came from crystallized sugar, paints and varnishes for construction industry, and cement, respectively. On the other hand, negative contributions came from petroleum refining and alcohol production (-3.5%), due to the decrease in the production of diesel, and due to textiles (-5.5%), mainly in terms of the item cotton cloth.

 

Ceará 

In April, the seasonally adjusted industrial production in Ceará decreased by 1.0% in relation to the previous month, after fall of 1.6% in March. In comparison with the same month in the previous year, industrial production decreased by 0.6%. The indicator accumulated in the first four-months of the year also decreased (2.4%), whereas the figure accumulated in the last twelve months increased by 4.9%, the same result as in March.

 

In terms of the monthly indicator (-0.6%), five of the tem activities surveyed faced decrease. The main negative contribution came from petroleum refining and alcohol production (-41.7%), due to the temporary interruption of activities in an important company of the sector. It is also worth mentioning that, due to negative contributions from textiles (- 5.5 %), which was affected by the production of cotton thread and cloth; and from electric machinery, appliances and material (-28.0%), which was affected by the item transformers. On the other hand, the main positive impact came from food products and beverages (13.9%), followed by metallurgy (50.1%) and non-metallic minerals (28.4%). In these segments, the highlights are the items roasted cashew nuts; carbon steel bars and cement.  

 

The index accumulated in the year decreased (-2.4%), with negative results in seven of the tem subsectors surveyed, being the main impact that of petroleum refining and alcohol production (-36.6%). It is also worth mentioning the decreases in textiles (-6.4%); electric machinery, appliances and material (-15.3%) and metal products (-30.7%). The main positive contribution came from food products and beverages (9.4%).

 

Pernambuco

 

In April, the seasonally adjusted industrial production of Pernambuco decreased by 1.8% in relation to the immediately previous month, after increase of 4.8% in March. In comparison with the same periods in 2006, both the monthly indicator (6.5%) and the indicator accumulated in the year (5.8%) were positive. The indicator accumulated in the last twelve months (5.3%) was practically stable in relation to the March result (5.4%).    

 

In comparison with April 2006, the industry in Pernambuco increased by 6.5%, the eighteenth consecutive positive rate, with increase in seven of the eight activities surveyed. The major positive impact came from chemical products (31.2%), due to the increased production of paints and varnishes for construction and calcium hypochlorite. Other relevant positive contributions were those in metallurgy (8.0%), due to the bigger production of carbon steel iron bars, and aluminum plates and bands; and of rubber and plastic, due to the items plastic films, and plastic pipes, tubes and hoses. On the other hand,  the main negative influences came from electric machines, appliances and material 9-20.6%) and footwear and leather articles (-20.0%), due to the reduction of the production of electric batteries , and lamps; and also bovine leather and hide, respectively.

 

The indicator accumulated in the year increased by 5.8%, supported by the increase of eight among the eleven subsectors surveyed. The main positive contributions came from chemical products (20.7%), food products and beverages (4.9%) and rubber and plastic (20.7%), which were affected by the increased production of styrene-butadiene rubber and paints and varnishes for construction, ice cream and crystallized sugar, and plastic films. The most significant negative contributions came from electric machinery, appliances and material (-14.6%) and footwear and leather articles (-12.3%), due to the reduction of the production of batteries, and bovine leather and hide, respectively.

 

Bahia

 

In April, the seasonally adjusted industrial production in Bahia decreased 0.7% in comparison with March. It was the third consecutive negative rate, with accumulated loss of 6.3%. In comparison with April last year there was reduction by 6.7%, the third negative consecutive negative rate in this type of comparison. This way, the index accumulated in the first quarter of the year had slight decrease (-0.2%). The rate accumulated in the last twelve months increased by 1.0%, but it has kept the deceleration of increase rhythm since December 2006 (3.2%).

 

In terms of the monthly index, the industrial production in Bahia had a rate of -6.7%, with negative rates in five of the nine subsectors surveyed. The main negative influences came from petroleum refining and alcohol production (-16.4%), due to lower production of diesel and naphtha. It is worth mentioning the decreases in chemical products (-5.0%), due to the reduced production of ammonium sulfate and ammonia; and cellulose and paper (-15.5%), with the reduction of the production of cellulose and non- coated paper. On the other hand, the main positive contributions came from rubber and plastic (12.1%0 and from food products and beverages (1.7%), due, mainly, to the increase of the production of plastic bags for food products, and of refined soybean oil.  

 

Considering the rate accumulated in the year, Bahia had negative change (-0.2%), with decreases in five of the nine subsectors surveyed. The most significant negative contributions came from petroleum refining and alcohol production (-6.2%), with the reduction of production of diesel and naphtha; and of automotive vehicles (-14.4%), with the lower production of cars. Food products and beverages (13.2%) and rubber and plastic (13.5%) were the main positive highlights, due, respectively, to the increase of production of flour and “pellets” of soybean oil extraction, and from plastic packages for food products.  

 

Minas Gerais

 

The seasonally adjusted industrial production in Minas Gerais decreased (-1.2%) from March to April, after having increased by 5.6% in the previous month. In comparison with April 2006, the industry in Minas increased 9.7%, the major result since June 2005 (10.6%). This way, both the index accumulated in the first four months of the year, which changed from 5.9% in March, to 6.8% in April, and the index accumulated in the last twelve months (from 4.5% to 5.1%) show acceleration in the increase rhythm.

 

Considering the monthly indicator (9.7%), there was positive performance both in manufacturing industry (9.4%) and in mining and quarrying industry (11.5%). In the latter, iron ore is still the main highlight. In the manufacturing industry, nine of the twelve activities surveyed show increase, with automotive vehicles (25.4%), machinery and equipment (28.5%) and metal products (32.1%) as the major negative influences. In these segments, the main highlights were: automobiles, household appliances; and iron and carbon steel structures, respectively. Textiles (-5.9%) and non-metallic minerals 9-3.2%) were the main negative contributions, influenced, above all, by the decrease of production of cotton cloth and cement, respectively.  

 

In terms of the index accumulated in the first four months of the year, in comparison with the same period in 2006, the industrial production in Minas Gerais increased by 6.8%, with increase of production in nine subsectors. The performance of the mining and quarrying subsector (7.2%) is one of the determining factors for the positive result of the overall index. In the manufacturing industry (6.8%), automotive vehicles (16.7%) accounted for the most relevant positive increase, being favored by the increase of the production of automobiles. It is also worth mentioning the positive behavior of metallurgy (5.0%) and machinery and equipment (18.4%). In these, the highlights were the production of iron-niobium, and of household appliances, respectively. On the other hand, the main negative contribution came from non-metallic minerals 9-3.8%) which was influenced, to a great extent, by the reduced production of cement.

 

Espírito Santo

 

In April, the industrial production in Espírito Santo decreased (-3.0%) in relation to the immediately previous month, in the series with seasonal adjustment, after remaining stable (0.0%) in March. In comparison with similar periods last year, the indexes were positive: 2.1% in comparison with April 2006 and 5.3% accumulated in the year. The indicator accumulated in the last twelve months (8.7%) repeats the March result.

 

The monthly indicator increased by 2.1%, supported by the expansion of mining and quarrying industry (9.2%), once manufacturing industry had the second consecutive negative result (-0.7%). In the first segment, the highlight is the increase of the extraction of petroleum and natural gas. In the manufacturing industry, metallurgy (-6.8%) was the only negative impact, influenced, to a great extent, by the fall of the items steel, rods, ingots and blocks.  Among the three rising subsectors, the highlight was food products and beverages (7.8%), due to the items chocolate candles, caramel confectioneries and cacao-free candies.

 

The index accumulated in the first four months of the year increased by 5.3% in relation to the same period last year, at a lower rhythm than in the first quarter of 2007 (6.4%). The main positive impact is still comes from mining and quarrying industry (20.2%). Manufacturing industry showed negative change of 0.1%, affected, mainly, by the decrease of metallurgy (-6.3%).

 

Rio de Janeiro

 

In April, the seasonally adjusted industrial production in Rio de Janeiro had its second consecutive positive rate: 0.8% in relation to March. In comparison with April 2006, the sector increased by 4.5%. As a consequence, the index accumulated in the year was 2.2%, above the 1.5% observed in the first quarter; the index accumulated in the last twelve months remains on a rising trend: from 1.1% in march to 1.5% in April.

 

In comparison with the same period in the previous year, the increase by 4.5% in the overall index was affected by the good performance of manufacturing industry (6.6%); the mining and quarrying sector, on the other hand, had its four consecutive negative result (-3.6%). In this last result, can be there was the influence of the interruption of activities for maintenance in platforms. Among the seven activities of manufacturing industry which had positive rates, the highlight was metallurgy (28.6%), favored not only by the low basis for comparison, mainly due to a stop in an oven in a company of the sector in the beginning of 2006. It is also worth mentioning the positive contribution from editing and printing (24.3%), other chemical products (26.5%) and automotive vehicles (17.7%), affected, respectively, by the increase of the production of newspapers; herbicides; trucks. Pharmaceutical industry (-17.3%) accounted for the main negative contribution.

 

In terms of the index accumulated in the year, the industry in the state increased by 2.2%, with increase in eight of the thirteen subsetctors surveyed. Metallurgy (24.4%), still influenced by the low basis of comparison, remained as the main impact on the overall index. Other relevant contributions came from editing and printing (14.6%), especially the item newspapers, and from other chemical products (10.4%), due to the rates for herbicides. On the contrary, among the five subsectors with falling rates, the most relevant ones were pharmaceutical industry (-16.0%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-5.7%).

 

São Paulo

 

In April, the seasonally adjusted industrial production in São Paulo was practically stable (0.1%) in comparison with the immediately previous month, and had the same result as in March (0.0%). In relation to April 2006, the sector increased by 4.7%; it was the fourth consecutive positive rate. The index accumulated in the first four months of the year also increased (3.4%), at a rhythm above that of the first quarter of the year (2.9%). The index accumulated in the last twelve months was 3.2%, with acceleration in relation to March (2.8%). In the three comparisons, the results were below the national average: 6.0%, 4.3% and 3.3%, respectively.  

 

In terms of the monthly index, there was a predominance of positive results, which reached seventeen of the twenty activities surveyed, whereas, in March, the number of activities which increased in this type of comparison was twelve. The main positive contributions came from machinery and equipment (16.6%), a sector related to the production of capital goods; office machines and computer equipment (51.7%) and electronic material and communication equipment (14.4%). In these subsectors, the products which represented the main highlights were: machining centers and harvesting machines, of which production increased due to agroindustry; computers and monitors; telephony commutation equipment and mobile telephony equipment. The negative impacts came from petroleum refining and alcohol production (-5.1%), electric machines, appliances and material (-6.1%) and editing and printing (-2.2%), due, mainly, to the decrease in the production of diesel and gasoline; transformers and light bulbs; and newspapers and books, respectively.

 

The expansion by 3.4% accumulated in the first four months of the year is explained, above all, by the positive performance of fifteen among twenty subsectors, especially machinery and equipment (13.4%), office machines and computer equipment (43.8%) and electronic material and communication equipment (9.9%). In these subsectors, the highlights were: machining centers, transportation companies; computers, monitors, mobile telephones and commutation equipment. On the other hand, automotive vehicles (-3.0%), electric machines, appliances and equipment (-7.9%) and rubber and plastic (-3.3%) were the most significant negative highlights, mainly due to the reduction observed in the production of cars, transformers and tires, respectively.

 

Paraná

 

The industrial production in Paraná shows change of -0.3% in April, in comparison with March, in the seasonally adjusted series. This occurred after the increases for two months, a period in which it accumulated gain of 7.1%. In April, there was the highest index (13.2%) since June 2005 (16.9%). This way, both the index accumulated in the group of four months (from 0.8% in March to 9.3% in April), as in the last twelve months (from 1.5% to 3.1%) had acceleration.

 

The monthly index has the seventh consecutive hike, with increase in thirteen of the fourteen activities surveyed. The main highlights are food products (16.6%) and editing and printing (42.0%), affected by the expansion of the items meats and poultry pieces and crystallized sugar; and books, brochures and printed didactic material, respectively. Other relevant positive contributions came from non-metallic minerals 947.5%), other chemical products (51.4%) and machinery and equipment (15.6%). In these subsectors, the highlights are the increases in the production of cement, fertilizers and agricultural tractors, respectively. The only negative impact was wood (-22.5%).

 

The index accumulated in the year increased by 9.3%, with hikes in eleven of the fourteen subsectors surveyed. The main negative contributions were editing and printing (36.0%), food products (9.7%) and automotive vehicles (13.4%). The main negative highlight was wood (-18.1%).

 

Santa Catarina

 

The seasonally adjusted index for the industrial production in Santa Catarina shows that, for the second consecutive month, there was change by 0.1%. It was the sixth consecutive positive rate, with accumulation of 4.5% in this period. In relation to April 2006, the sector had expansion by 8.7%, the highest result since February 2005. Consequently, both the rate accumulated in the year (from 2.5% in March to 4.0% in April) and in the last twelve months (from 0.5% to 2.0%) show acceleration.

 

The increase by 8.7% in relation to April 2006, results, mainly, from the hikes in eight of the eleven activities surveyed. The sectors of food products (14.8%) and machinery and equipment (18.5%) were the main positive highlights. In them, the main items were, respectively, meats and poultry pieces; and compressors and refrigerators. It is also important to mention the positive influence, although at a lower rate, of automotive vehicles (11.7%). In this subsector, there was increase of the production of truck and bus trunks, and electric machinery, appliances and equipment (18.4%0, due, mainly, to the hike of electric engines and transformers. The major negative contribution came from apparel (-11.2%).

 

In terms of production accumulated in the first four quarters of the year, in comparison with the same period in 2006, the expansion of industry in Paraná was 4.0%, with positive results in eight of the eleven activities surveyed. The most significant increases were those of: food products and beverages (8.8%) and machinery and equipment (13.5%). It is also important to mention the positive contribution of automotive vehicles (7.5%). Among the sectors with decreasing production, apparel (-15.4%) was the main highlight.

 

Rio Grande do Sul

 

In April, industrial production in Rio Grande do Sul increased by 2.9% in comparison with the immediately previous month, in the series without seasonal adjustment. In comparison with the same month in the previous year, the sector had increase of 16.1%, the best result since July 2004 (17.4%). This way, industrial activity highlights the positive result of both the indicator accumulated in the year, which changed from 6.5%, in March, to 9.0% in April, and of the index accumulated in the last twelve months (from -0.1% to 2.0%).

 

The industry in the state had increase of 16.1% in comparison with April 2006, due to the increases in eleven of fourteen subsectors surveyed. The most significant positive impacts came from petroleum refining and alcohol production (81.5%), machinery and equipment (38.8%) and food products (12.8%). In these industries, the highlights were, respectively, the items: diesel, naphtha for petrochemical industry, hydraulic tools with non-electric engines, sowing machines, and meats and poultry pieces. The main negative contributions were cellulose and paper (-7.2%), especially cellulose, and metallurgy (-6.7%), due, mainly, to the lower production of carbon steel bars.

 

The increase by 9.0%, of the index accumulated in the period January-April, was determined by the increases in eleven of the fourteen activities surveyed. Among the rising ones, the main highlights were petroleum refining and alcohol production (32.5%), automotive vehicles (29.3%) and machinery and equipment (19.7%), affected by the items naphtha for petrochemical industry; axis and semi-axis and other transmission pieces, and hydraulic tools with non-electrical engines, respectively. Footwear and leather articles (-10.3%) and metal products (-4.7%0 were the main negative highlights, as a consequence of the fall of production of leather sneakers, and metal parts and pieces, respectively.

 

Goiás

 

In April, industrial production in Goiás decreased in relation to March, in the seasonally adjusted, after increase of 3.2% in the previous month. In comparison with April 2006, the industry in the state decreased by 3.1%; it was the first fall since September 2006 (-1.1%). This way, the rate accumulated in the first four months (4.0%) helped decrease the growth rhythm over the first quarter (6.5%). The rate accumulated in the last twelve months was also positive (3.7%), and there was slight increase in comparison with March (3.5%).

 

In the comparison April 07/April 06, industry in Goiás fell by 3.1%, a behavior explained by the decrease of manufacturing industry (-4.6%), once mining and quarrying industry increased by 14.8%. This last segment was stimulated by the bigger production of asbestos. In manufacturing industry, the main contributions came from chemical products (-29.2%) and food products and beverages (-4.1%), affected, mainly, by the items medicines and soaps, and by powdered milk and tomato sauces, in the second, respectively. On the other hand, the most significant positive impact came from non-metallic minerals (23.0%), due to the bigger production of cement.     

 

The index accumulated in the first four months increased by 4.0%, with positive rates in all the subsectors. The main impact over the overall rate came from the subsector mining and quarrying (20.5%). In manufacturing industry, there was increase by 2.7%, with chemical products (9.5%) as the main influence, due to the item fertilizers.