From March to April, among the regions with positive rates, all increased with results above the national average (0.2%), except Amazonas (0.1%), in the series seasonally adjusted.  In the comparison April 08 /April 07, 13 among 14 surveyed localities had expansion.  In the analysis of the index accumulated in the first four months of the year, the growth of the regional industry was generalized.

 

Conjuncture Indexes of Industry
Regional Results
April/2008
Localities	Change Rate (%)
	Month/Month *	Monthly	Accumulated Jan-Apr	Accumulated 12 Months
Amazonas	0.1	2.6	9.3	7.8
Pará	-2.5	2.6	6.7	3.1
Northeast Region	-0.9	9.6	6.8	4.8
Ceará	-7.7	6.6	4.9	2.9
Pernambuco	-8.4	3.0	11.2	6.5
Bahia	1.6	12.3	5.8	4.0
Minas Gerais	0.4	6.9	7.2	8.7
Espírito Santo	-0.3	22.0	16.3	11.0
Rio de Janeiro	-3.5	-2.8	2.4	2.2
São Paulo	0.6	14.9	10.6	8.4
Paraná	-1.0	9.7	10.1	7.0
Santa Catarina	0.9	9.9	4.1	5.5
Rio Grande do Sul	-1.1	7.5	6.5	6.8
Goiás	3.6	15.8	11.3	4.6
Brazil	0.2	10.1	7.3	7.0
Source: IBGE, Diretoria de Pesquisas, Coordenação de Indústria
* seasonally adjusted

 

Between April and March the regional indexes of industrial production seasonally adjusted brought positive rates in six among fourteen surveyed sectors. With the exception of Amazonas, which almost repeated the level of production of the previous month (0.1%), all the areas with expansion in the production registered rates above the national average (0.2%), especially Goiás (3.6%) and Bahia (1.6%) which brought the most pronounced increases. It is worth mentioning also the second consecutive positive result in São Paulo (0.6%) in this type of comparison.  Among the areas which reduced the production, Ceará (-7.7%) and Pernambuco (-8.4%) had the most pronounced decreases, after accumulating, respectively, gains of 12.9% in two months and 10.6% in five months.

 

In the comparison April 08/ April 07 which, for the total of the country, recorded 10.1%, the regional indexes showed the prevailing of positive results, which reached thirteen among fourteen surveyed localities.  It is worth mentioning the fact that there was one more working day in April 2008 in relation to the same month of the previous year.  Among the areas with positive rates, stood out Espírito Santo (22.0%), Goiás (15.8%), São Paulo (14.9%) and Bahia (12.3%) recording two-digit rates with results above the national average. Santa Catarina (9.9%), Paraná (9.7%) and Northeast (9.6%) had rates close to the national average.  Also with positive rates, although, below the growth of the country were: Rio Grande do Sul (7.5%), Minas Gerais (6.9%), Ceará (6.6%), Pernambuco (3.0%), Amazonas (2.6%) and Pará (2.6%).  The only locality with decrease in this type of comparison was Rio de Janeiro (-2.8%), influenced by the sectors of pharmaceuticals and petroleum refining and alcohol production.

 

The expansion registered in the monthly index of April (10.1%) surpassed the rhythm of growth observed in the first quarter of the year (6.4%).  The acceleration observed in national level reached eight among fourteen surveyed localities, being more pronounced in Bahia, which after increasing 3.8% in the first quarter, registered rate of 12.3% in April; Santa Catarina (from 2.2% to 9.9%); and Espírito Santo (from 14.4% to 22.0%).  Among the localities which had the most significant decreases between the two periods stood out the states of Pernambuco (from 13.7% to 3.0%) and Amazonas (from 11.7% to 2.6%), influenced, respectively, by the decrease in the sectors of chemical products and food products.

The index accumulated in the first four months of the year, compared to the same period of 2007, showed expansion in all the surveyed localities.  In this index, the leadership of regional performance, in terms of magnitude of growth, came from Espírito Santo (16.3%), followed by Goiás (11.3%), Pernambuco (11.2%), São Paulo (10.6%), Paraná (10.1%) and Amazonas (9.3%) all with rates above the national average (7.3%), supported, mainly, by the major dynamism which came from the productive sectors of capital goods, consumer durable goods and typically exporting articles.  The other positive results were recorded by Minas Gerais (7.2%), Northeast (6.8%), Pará (6.7%), Rio Grande do Sul (6.5%), Bahia (5.8%), Ceará (4.9%), Santa Catarina (4.1%) and Rio de Janeiro (2.4%).

  

AMAZONAS

The industrial production of Amazonas, in April, was stable in the comparison with the immediately previous month (0.1%), in the series seasonally adjusted, after decreasing for two consecutive months, period in which registered decrease of 11.8%.  The quarterly moving average index had the second consecutive decrease (-4.1%), accumulating decrease of 5.8% between February and April.

In relation to April 2007, the production increased by 2.6%.  As a consequence, the index accumulated in the year changed from 11.7% in March to 9.3% in April and the index accumulated in the last twelve months was almost stable between March (7.9%) and April (7.8%).

The increase of 2.6% in the monthly index was supported, mainly, in the expansions of six among eleven surveyed activities.  The main positive contributions for the formation of the overall rate came from transportation equipment (29.0%), edition and printing (53.6%), medical products, appliances and equipment (32.2%) and electronic material and communication equipment (2.6%). In these segments stood out the increase in the manufacturing of motorcycles; DVD; watches; and mobile telephones.  On the other hand, food products and beverages (-22.6%) and machines and equipment (-27.8%) were the negative highlights, and the most significant decreases of these sectors came from the production of manufacturing of syrups for beverage elaboration; and ovens and microwaves, respectively. 

The production in the first four months of the year was 9.3% higher than in the same period of the previous year, with four segments showing positive results.  In this comparison, the main influences came from transportation equipment (23.9%), electronic material and communication equipment (13.0%) and edition and printing (63.8%), due, mainly, to increases in the items motorcycles; mobile telephones; and DVD.  On the other hand, the most significant negative contribution came from metal products (-15.9%), followed by machines and equipment (-14.2%), influenced, respectively by decrease in the items shaving equipment and microwave ovens.

PARÁ

In April, the industry of Pará decreased by 2.5% compared to May, in the series seasonally adjusted, after also showing a negative rate in the previous month (-5.0%). With these results, the quarterly moving average also decreased (1.6%) in the quarters closed in April and May, second negative result in this type of comparison.

In the other comparisons, the results were positive: expansion of 2.6% compared to the same month of the previous year; 6.7% in the index accumulated in the first four months of 2008 and 3.1% in the index accumulated in the last twelve months, with a slight gain compared to the rate observed in the previous month (3.0%).

In the comparison April 08/ April 07, the increase in the production of the industry of Para was 2.6%, supported mainly in the increase of four among six surveyed segments.  The main positive results on the overall average came, mainly, from cellulose and paper (67.2%), basic metallurgy (8.6%) and food products and beverages (8.3%).  In these industries, stood out the increases in the production of the items cellulose, toilet paper; aluminum oxide; and frozen crustaceans, respectively. On the other hand, the most relevant negative result came from wood (-20.2%), due to the diminishment in the production, mainly, of sawed wood.

The growth of 6.7% in the index accumulated in the first four months of 2008, rhythm above the one observed in the last four month period of the previous year (2.1%), was supported by the positive results in the major part (five) among the six surveyed segments.  Among these, the most significant contributions came from mining and quarrying (6.9%), basic metallurgy (7.2%) and cellulose and paper (36.0%), influenced, mainly, by the increase in the production of the items: iron ores; aluminum oxide; cellulose, and toilet paper, respectively.  On the other hand, the only negative influence came from the activity of wood (-10.9%).

 

NORTHEAST

In April, the industry of the Northeast registered decrease of 0.9% in relation to March, in the series seasonally adjusted.  It was the second negative rate, decreasing 2.2% between February and April.  The quarterly moving average index was almost stable (-0.1%) for the second consecutive month.

The comparison with the same month of the previous year registered expansion of 9.6%.  With this, the index accumulated in the year, which changed from 5.9% to 6.8%, as well as the index accumulated in the last twelve months (from 3.9% to 4.8%) had gains in relation to March.

In the monthly index, the industry of the Northeast increased by 9.6% supported in the positive performance of nine among twelve segments. Petroleum refining and alcohol production (29.0%), food products and beverages (13.6%) and cellulose and paper (26.8%) were the segments that stood out.  In these sectors, the highlights were the increase in diesel oil, ethyl alcohol; peanuts and toasted cashew nuts; and cellulose, respectively.  On the other hand, basic metallurgy (-2.9%) and footwear and leather articles (-4.9%) were the two only negative results in the overall average, influenced, mainly, by decreases in the manufacturing of cast iron and carbon steel bars, in the first sector, and rubber and leather footwear, in the second.

In the index accumulated in the period January-April 2008, the increase was 6.8%, rhythm above the one observed in the last four-month period of 2007 (4.3%).  For the result of the first four months of 2008, nine activities had positive performance, especially food products and beverages (10.4%), petroleum refining and alcohol production (11.8%) and cellulose and paper (20.7%), which presented increase in the production of peanuts and toasted cashew nuts, brown sugar; ethyl alcohol, diesel oil; and  cellulose, respectively.  On the other hand, the major negative result came from textiles (-2.1%), due, mainly, to the diminishment in the manufacturing of bath towels and thread of artificial mesh fibers.

 
CEARÁ

In April, the index of the industrial production of Ceará seasonally adjusted decreased by 7.7% in relation to the immediately previous month, after recording a considerable growth for two consecutive months, accumulating increase of 12.9%.  Even with the negative result of April, the quarterly moving average increased between the quarters closed in March and April (1.3%), after increasing 2.8% in March.

In the comparison with April 2007, the industrial sector increased by 6.6%.  The index accumulated in the year showed expansion of 4.9%.  The index accumulated in the last twelve months, changed from 2.5% in March to 2.9% in April, and continued in an upward trend since January 2008.

In the monthly index, the industry of the state increased by 6.6%, with positive rates in seven among ten surveyed activities, especially food products and beverages (25.8%), due to the major production of toasted cashew nuts.  Also, it is worth mentioning the increments in footwear and leather articles (6.4%), as a consequence of the increase in the manufacturing of leather for feminine use and plastic footwear; and in apparel (16.4%), as a consequence of the increase of the production of shorts and knitting shirts, both for masculine use. On the other hand, the main negative results were observed in petroleum refining and alcohol production (-46.5%) and basic metallurgy (-51.1%), as a consequence, respectively, of the decrease in the items diesel oil and liquefied gas of petroleum (GLP); carbon steel bars and concrete reinforcing bars.

The index accumulated in the year increased by 4.9%, with positive results in six activities. The major influence came from the sector of food products and beverages (14.6%), as a consequence of the increase in the manufacturing of toasted cashew nuts.  It is worth mentioning, also footwear and leather articles (9.8%) and chemical products (11.8%), as a consequence, respectively, of plastic footwear and dyes and varnishes for construction.  On the other hand, the major negative influences came from textiles (-6.9%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-25.8%), due, respectively, to the decrease in the production of cotton thread and mesh of artificial fibers, and diesel oil and liquefied gas of petroleum (GLP).

In the quarterly analysis, the industrial production of Ceará increased from 2.7% in the last four-month period of 2007 to 4.9% in the first four-month period of this year, maintaining an upward trend since the second four-month period of 2007.

PERNAMBUCO

In April, the industrial production of Pernambuco seasonally adjusted decreased by 8.4%, after registering five consecutive positive results, accumulating expansion of 10.6%. With these results, the quarterly moving average index decreased by 2.0% between the quarters closed in March and April, breaking a sequence of six positive rates, accumulating in the period gain of 8.9%.

In the comparisons with similar periods of 2007, the monthly and accumulated indexes in the year were positive: 3.0% and 11.2%, respectively.  The index accumulated in the last twelve months had a slight decrease changing from 6.8% in March to 6.5% in April.

In the comparison with the same month of the previous year, the increase was 3.0%, seventh consecutive positive rate, with growth in six among eleven surveyed sectors. The main positive influence came from food products and beverages (9.6%), as a consequence of the increase in the manufacturing of cachaça and soft drinks. Also, it is worth mentioning electric material and equipment (45.6%) and, in a lower scale, petroleum refining and alcohol production (133.6%), as a consequence, respectively, of the major production of electric cells and batteries, and incandescent light bulbs and tubes; and alcohol.  On the other hand, the major negative results came from chemical products (-13.4%), due to the reduction in the production of rubber of styrene – butadiene and calcium hypochlorite; and basic metallurgy (-2.5%), due to the lower manufacturing of carbon steel wire rod and aluminum plates and bands.

In the quarterly analysis, the industrial production of Pernambuco showed a major dynamism changing from 3.1% in the last four-month period of 2007 to 11.2% in the first four-month period of 2008.  For this last comparison, eight segments registered positive rates, and the major positive results on the average of industry came from food products and beverages (14.2%), petroleum refining and alcohol production (121.0%) and chemical products (14.0%).  In these activities, the items which stood out were, respectively, crystallized and refined sugar; alcohol; and dyes and varnishes for construction.  On the other hand, it is worth mentioning the decreases in cellulose and paper (-14.3%) and textiles (-13.5%), due, respectively, to the decrease in the production of sacks and bags and paper bags; cotton cloth and thread.

 

BAHIA

In April, the industrial production of Bahia seasonally adjusted increased by 1.6% in relation to the immediately previous month, reversing part of the negative result of March (-4.3%). Also in the series seasonally adjusted, the quarterly moving average index was almost stable (0.1%) between the quarters closed in March and April, after decreasing 0.3% in March.

In relation to the same month of the previous year the industrial sector of Bahia increased by 12.3%, major result since November 2004 (30.4%). As a consequence, the index accumulated in the year, which changed from 3.8% in March to 5.8% in April, and the index accumulated in the last twelve months (from 2.4% to 4.0%) increased in relation to the previous month.

The monthly index registered growth of 12.3%, seventh consecutive positive rate, with increase in eight among nine surveyed sectors.  The main positive contribution on the overall average of industry came from the sector of petroleum refining and alcohol production (23.1%), influenced, mainly by the major manufacturing of the items diesel oil and naphtha.  Also, it is worth mentioning the performances of cellulose and paper (31.3%), as a consequence of the major manufacturing of cellulose; and chemical products (6.4%), as a consequence of the growth of the production of linear polyethylene and ammonium sulfate.  On the other hand, the only negative rate came from mining and quarrying (-3.4%), influenced, mainly by the lower extraction of cooper and magnesium ore.

In the index accumulated in the year, the industry of the state had expansion of 5.8%, with positive rates in all the activities.  The major positive contribution came from cellulose and paper (24.2%), due to the increment in the manufacturing of cellulose, followed by petroleum refining and alcohol production (5.1%) and chemical products (2.7%), as a consequence, respectively, of the production of diesel oil; and linear polyethylene and ammonium sulfate. 

In the quarterly analysis, the industry of the state increased by 5.8% in the first four-month period of 2008, continuing in an upward trend since the second four-month period of 2007 (3.0%).

MINAS GERAIS

The industrial production of Minas Gerais, already seasonally adjusted, changed 0.4% between March and April, after increasing 0.9% in the previous month.  The quarterly moving average index was almost stable (-0.1%) for the second consecutive month.

In the comparison with April 2007, the industry of the state increased by 6.9%, a result below the national average (10.1%).  The index accumulated in the first four months of the year was 7.2% and the index accumulated in the last twelve months (8.7%) registered a lower rhythm of growth in relation to the one observed in March (9.0%) and in February (9.5%).

In the monthly index, with increase of 6.9%, a positive performance was observed in mining and quarrying (2.6%) as well as in the manufacturing industry (7.7%).  In this last one, six among twelve surveyed segments had expansion and the highlight continued to be automotive vehicles (29.7%).  It is also worth mentioning the positive influences on the overall average which came from non-metallic minerals (15.8%), food products (6.3%) and basic metallurgy (3.9%).  In these segments, stood out mainly the items: cement and bricks, plates and tiles; cookies and crackers and carbon steel plates or slugs, ingots and blocks.  On the other hand, the atypical result which came from the industry of cellulose and paper (-24.3%), influenced by a technical stoppage of a great company of the sector, summed to the reduction of 7.4% in other chemical products, did not allow a higher overall index.

In the analysis of indexes by four-month period, which showed an upward trend in the second four-month period of 2006 (3.4%) until the second of 2007 (10.5%), the industrial sector of the state lost  this rhythm of growth, recording 8.5% in the last four-month period of 2007 until reaching 7.2% in the first four-month period of 2008.  In the first four months of the year, compared to the same period of 2007, the industry of the state had expansion in nine among thirteen surveyed segments. 

The performance of automotive vehicles (23.9%) and of mining and quarrying (9.3%) were determinant for the overall index.  It is also worth mentioning the positive performance of petroleum refining and alcohol production (12.2%) and non-metallic minerals (9.5%). In these sectors stood out the production of diesel oil and gasoline; and cement and bricks.  On the other hand, the major negative contributions came from the textiles (-5.3%) and tobacco (-7.0%) influenced, mainly, by the reduction in the production of cotton threads and cigarettes.

 

ESPÍRITO SANTO

In April, the industrial production of Espírito Santo decreased by 0.3% in relation to the immediately previous month, in the series seasonally adjusted, after increasing in the two previous months, period in which it accumulated growth of 4.5%.  The quarterly moving average index increased by 1.4% between the quarters closed in March and April, maintaining a sequence of five positive results, with increase of 8.5% between November and April.

In the comparison with similar periods of the previous year, the indexes were positive: 22.0% compared to April 2007 and 16.3% in the index accumulated in the year.  The index accumulated in the last twelve months, in an upward trend since October 2007, changed from 9.5% in March to 11.0% in April.

The monthly index had expansion of 22.0%, supported in the increase of five surveyed activities.  The performance of mining and quarrying (29.6%), which brought the highest rate since March 2007 (32.8%), was the main positive contribution, mainly due to the production of iron ore and natural gas.  Also stood out basic metallurgy (29.0%), food products and beverages (30.4%) and cellulose and paper (5.5%), influenced, mainly by the increases in carbon steel plates or slugs, ingots and blocks; bonbons; and cellulose.

The index accumulated in the first four-month period of the year increased by 16.3% in relation to the same period of the previous year, a rhythm more intense than in the third four-month period of 2007 (8.6%).  Also in this comparison the five segments contributed positively, with the main influences in the overall average coming from basic metallurgy (33.0%) and mining and quarrying (20.8%), where stood out the manufacturing  of carbon steel plates or slugs, ingots and blocks; and petroleum and natural gas, respectively.

 

RIO DE JANEIRO

The industrial production of Rio de Janeiro showed, in April, a decrease of 3.5% compared to March, in the series seasonally adjusted, after increasing by 0.9% in the previous month.  With these results, the quarterly moving average index also brought a negative result (-1.8%), after remaining almost stable in March (0.1%).
In the comparison with April 2007, the sector also registered decrease (-2.8%). As a consequence the index accumulated in the year was 2.4%, a rhythm below the one observed in the first quarter of the year (4.2%).  The index accumulated in the last twelve months maintained a downward trend, changing from 2.8% in March to 2.2% in April.

In the comparison with the same month of the previous year, the decrease of 2.8% in the overall index was influenced by the adverse performance of the manufacturing industry (-4.1%), once mining and quarrying brought a positive result (2.7%), supported, mainly, in the major extraction of petroleum.  Among the six activities of the industry of manufacturing which brought negative rates, stood out the decreases which came from pharmaceuticals (-32.3%), influenced mainly by the decrease of 50% of the surveyed products, and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-15.9%), influenced by the items gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas - LPG, as a consequence of a partial technical stoppage in one unit of the sector.  It is also worth mentioning the negative contributions which came from chemical products (-13.4%) and beverages (-11.8%), influenced, mainly, by the decrease in the production of polypropylene; and soft drinks and beers.  On the other hand, the major positive influence came from automotive vehicles (25.1%), followed by non-metallic minerals (14.4%) and basic metallurgy (4.8%).  In these segments stood out the increases in the items automobiles and trucks; cement; carbon steel plates or bobbins.

In the index accumulated in the first four months of the year, the industry of the state increased by 2.4%, a rhythm similar to the one observed in the last four months of the previous year (2.5%), with expansion in eight among thirteen surveyed sectors.  The sector of automotive vehicles (32.1%), influenced by the major manufacturing of trucks and automobiles, maintained the leadership regarding the influence on the overall index. Other positive contributions came from chemical products (10.0%), especially the item herbicides; food products (5.8%), as a consequence of the expansion in the production of fish products and preserves and canned fish; and non-metallic minerals (7.6%), due to the major manufacturing of cement.  On the other hand, among the five segments which had decrease, the one which most influenced the industrial average continued to be the pharmaceutical industry (-18.8%).

 

SÃO PAULO

In April, the industrial production of São Paulo increased by 0.6% compared to the immediately previous month, already seasonally adjusted, with gain of 2.7% between February and April.  The quarterly moving average index, with the third consecutive positive rate (0.5%), accumulated increment of 2.4% since last February.

In relation to April 2007, the sector registered growth of 14.9%, sixteenth consecutive positive result since September 2004 (15.2%).  As a consequence, the index accumulated in the first four months of the year showed expansion (10.6%), in a rhythm above the one of the first quarter of the year (9.1%). In the analysis by four-month period, a sequence of fourteen positive rates can be observed with an upward trend since the beginning of 2007, as it was observed in the total of the country.  In the annualized rate, index accumulated in the last twelve months, the result was 8.4%, with acceleration in relation to March (7.6%).

In the monthly index, it could be observed the prevailing of positive results, which reached sixteen among twenty surveyed activities, especially automotive vehicles (27.7%), pharmaceuticals (36.8%), machines and equipment (15.2%), other transportation equipment (72.2%) and electronic material and communication equipment (29.8%).  In these segments, the products which most stood out were: automobiles; medicines; equipment elevators/ merchandise transporters; airplanes; and mobile telephony equipment.  On the other hand, the most significant negative influences came from edition and printing (-4.4%) and perfumery, soaps, detergents and cleaning products (-4.7%), mainly, due to the decreases observed in the manufacturing of magazines and of toothpaste, respectively.

The expansion of 10.6% in the index accumulated in the first four months of the year was explained, mainly, by the positive performance of sixteen segments, especially automotive vehicles (21.1%), machines and equipment (14.1%), electronic material and communication equipment (24.4%), electric machines, material and equipment (27.6%) and other chemical products(14.6%).  In these sectors, stood out the increases of the items: automobiles; equipment elevators/ merchandise transporters; mobile telephony equipment; transformers; and insecticides.  On the other hand, petroleum refining and alcohol production (-4.4%) and perfumery, soaps, detergents and cleaning products (-3.0%) stood out with the most important negative results, mainly due to the reduction observed in the manufacturing of diesel oil and toothpaste, respectively.

 
PARANÁ

The industrial production of Paraná presented decrease of 1.0% compared to the immediately previous month, already seasonally adjusted, neutralizing the increase in the same magnitude observed in March.  The quarterly moving average, after increasing for two consecutive months, period in which it accumulated gain of 4.0%, decreased by 0.5% between the quarters closed in April and March.

In the comparison with similar periods of the last year, the indexes were positive: 9.7% compared to April 2007 and 10.1% in the index accumulated in the year.  The index accumulated in the last twelve months (7.0%) increased in a lower rhythm than in February (8.1%) and March (7.3%).

The monthly index, which in March had increased only 1.9%, in April registered the nineteenth consecutive positive result (9.7%), with expansion in seven among fourteen surveyed segments.  The main highlights were automotive vehicles (53.8%), machines and equipment (26.3%) and cellulose and paper (13.7%), mainly due to the major production of trucks; harvesting machines; and cardboard.  On the other hand, the most significant negative influences came from food products (-8.2%) and, in a lower scale, from furniture (-12.5%) and electric machines, equipment and material (-14.5%), influenced, mainly, by the decreases in the manufacturing of poultry pluck, giblets and meats; wardrobes; and parts and pieces of equipment for interrupters, junctions and similar, respectively.

The index accumulated in the year had expansion of 10.1%, with nine segments having growth.  The major contributions in the formation of the overall rate came from automotive vehicles (41.8%), machines and equipment (24.3%) and cellulose and paper (13.4%), standing out the increases in trucks; harvesting machines; and cardboard.  On the other hand, the main negative results came from food products (-6.3%) and other chemical products (-9.7%), especially due to the decreases in the manufacturing of the items poultry pluck, giblets and meats and urea.
In the analysis by four-month periods, the first four-month period of the year, had a rate of 10.1%, with a rhythm above the one of the last four months of 2007 and highest since the period September-December of 2004 (14.2%).

 

SANTA CATARINA

The index of industrial production of Santa Catarina seasonally adjusted showed, for the second consecutive month, a positive rate compared to the immediately previous month: 0.6% in March and 0.9% in April, accumulating in these two months gain of 1.5%.  In relation to April 2007, the sector registered expansion of 9.9%, major result since October 2007 (10.6%).  With this, the index accumulated in the year, which changed from 2.2% in March to 4.1% in April, as well as the index accumulated in the last twelve months (from 5.3% to 5.5%) had acceleration.

The expansion of 9.9% in the overall rate, in relation to April 2007, resulted mainly from the increase observed in ten among eleven surveyed industrial activities, with the sectors of automotive vehicles (29.2%) and food products (8.9%) answering for the major positive results in the overall average of the industry.  In these segments, stood out the items truck and bus bodies, in the first activity; and poultry pluck, giblets and meats and cured meats, in the second one.  It is also worth mentioning the positive influences, although in a lower scale, of machines and equipment (11.4%), as a consequence of the major manufacturing of refrigerators and freezers, and of rubber and plastic (16.4%), as a consequence, mainly, of the increase in the production of plastic pieces and accessories for the automobile industry.  On the other hand, the only negative contribution came from wood (-18.3%), which has the major part of its product showing decrease, especially the item sawed wood.

In the production accumulated in the first four-month period of the year, compared to a similar period of 2007,  the expansion of the industry of the state was 4.1%, with a generalized profile of growth which reached ten among eleven surveyed activities.  The leadership, in terms of influence remained with automotive vehicles (19.3%), followed by rubber and plastic (9.9%), food products (2.4%) and apparel (9.0%).  In these segments stood out respectively, the items: bus and truck bodies; plastic hoses, pipes and tubes, and pieces and accessories for the automobile industry; poultry pluck, giblets and meats; and cotton undershirts.  On the other hand, wood, with decrease of 22.3%, continued as the only sector with a negative rate.

The quarterly moving average index, which showed increases of 0.5% in the quarters closed between March and April, brought the second positive result in this type of comparison, accumulating gain of 1.8% in these two months.

 

RIO GRANDE DO SUL

In April, the industry of Rio Grande do Sul, in the series seasonally adjusted, decreased by 1.1% compared to March, after three consecutive positive results, period in which accumulated increase of 2.4%.  Also, in the series seasonally adjusted, the quarterly moving average index had a negative change of 0.2% between the quarters closed in April and March, breaking a sequence of seven positive quarters, when it accumulated gain of 4.1%.

In the comparison with the same month of the previous year, the industrial sector had expansion of 7.5%.  In the other comparisons, the results were also positive: accumulated in the year (6.5%) and in the last twelve months (6.8%).

In the monthly index, the industry of the state increased by 7.5% supported by the positive influences in eleven among fourteen surveyed segments.  Among these, the most significant came from machines and equipment (41.7%), food products (22.6%), automotive vehicles (25.1%) and beverages (24.6%).  In these sectors stood out, respectively, the items: air conditioning equipment; semi-milled rice, cattle meat; automobiles and bus bodies; and grape wines.  On the other hand, the major negative influences on the overall average came from other chemical products (-34.6%), which brought a diminishment in the production, mainly, of non-saturated ethylene  and high density polyethylene; and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-11.4%), due, mainly, to the lower production of naphthas for petrochemistry.

 

The result of the first four-month period of 2008 (6.5%) broke a downward trend recorded during the year of 2007, with increases in ten among fourteen surveyed activities.  Machines and equipment (29.0%), food products (11.6%) and automotive vehicles (18.2%) brought the main positive results due, mainly, to increases registered in the products: harvesting machines; air conditioning equipment; cattle meat and poultry pluck, giblets and meats; bus bodies and automobiles, respectively.  On the other hand, other chemical products (-8.4%) and tobacco (-11.5%) brought the major negative contributions, influenced mainly by the reduction in the manufacturing of the items non-saturated ethylene, rubber of styrene – butadiene; and manufactured tobacco, respectively. 

GOIÁS

In April, the industrial activity of Goiás increased by 3.6% in the comparison with March, in the series seasonally adjusted, after decreasing by 6.0% in the previous month.  The quarterly moving average index was stable (0.1%) between the quarters closed in April and March, after a sequence of seven positive results, period in which it accumulated gain of 9.5%.

In the comparison with April 2007, the industry of the state had expansion of 15.8%.  With this, the index accumulated in the first four months of the year (11.3%) had acceleration in the rhythm of growth compared to the first quarter (9.9%).  The index accumulated in the last twelve months continues in an upward trend since the beginning of the year and changed from 3.2% in March to 4.6% in April.

In the comparison April 08/ April 07, the industry of Goiás had increase of 15.8%, with four among five activities with positive performance.  The major positive contribution in the formation of the overall rate came from food products and beverages (17.0%), influenced mainly by the manufacturing of mayonnaise and powdered milk.  In a lower scale, stood out the influences of chemical products (42.5%) and mining and quarrying (18.0%), especially the manufacturing of medicines, soaps; and amianthus. On the other hand, the only negative result came from basic metallurgy (-9.9%), with the decreases of iron niobium and iron nickel.

The index accumulated in the fist four month period of the year had expansion of 11.3%, with four sectors showing positive rates. The main positive result on the overall average came from food products and beverages (11.8%), followed by chemical products (22.0%) and mining and quarrying (19.4%), where were determinant the increase in the production of mayonnaise; medicines, and adobes and fertilizers; and amianthus.  On the other hand, basic metallurgy (-7.0%) was the only sector with decrease in the production.

Also in this comparison, in the analysis by four-month period, the production continues in an upward trend since the third four-month period of 2007.  The expansion of 11.3% in the first four-month period of 2008, represented almost three times the rate of expansion in the same period of the previous year (4.1%).