In 2011, the Brazilian agriculture industry recorded decrease of 2.3%, a lower result that of 2010 (4.7%), and also below that of general industry (0.3%).  The sectors related to agriculture (-1.6%), most relevant to agriculture, had a weaker performance than those related to livestock (-0.6%).  The group insecticides, herbicides and other defensives for agricultural use decreased by 16.9% in 2011; it was negatively affected by the expansion of imports, whereas the segment of wood recorded increase of 4.9%. An analysis by quarter shows negative results of agriculture industry in the four quarters of the year:  -3.9% in the first, -2.8% in the second, -0.7% in the third and -2.5% in the fourth quarter, being all comparisons against the same period in the previous year.

The complete publication is available at https://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/indicadores/industria/pimpfagro_nova 

Although products from agriculture fell by 2.4% in 2011, mainly affected by the decrease of sugarcane derivatives (-16.5%), according to the Systematic Survey of Agricultural Production (LSPA), the grain harvest of 2011 was about 159.9 million metric tons, a result 6.9% above the record figure of 2010 (149.6 million metric tons).

In relation to the foreign sector, considering data of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, the exports of agribusiness in 2011 reached the record figure of 94.6 billion dollars, with a 24.0% increase over 2010 (US$ 76.4 billion). According to data of the Secretariat of Foreign Trade (SECEX/MDIC), there was increase of exported volume for the following products: poultry pieces and offal (4.9%), poultry meat not cut into pieces (0.9%), ground soybeans (13.4%), crude soybean oil (9.5%), bagasse and other residues from soybean oil extraction (4.2%), pulp (1.2%) and tobacco (12.0%). On the other hand, decline was observed in the exports of sugar (-9.4%), alcohol (-11.5%), frozen beef (-16.1%), frozen pork (-4.3%) and bovine leather and rawhides (-0.4%).

Industrial products from livestock faced decline of 2.4%

The sector of industrial products from agriculture faced decline of 2.4%, with negative results in three of the eight subsectors surveyed, being the main highlight the fall of sugarcane derivatives (-16.5%), affected by both the reduced production of crystallized sugar (-12.4%) and alcohol (-22.8%). Other negative contributions came from wheat derivatives (-0.7%), due to the decrease of the harvest, and oranges (-15.1%). The positive results came from soybean derivatives (3.7%); pulp (0.9%), tobacco (13.4%) and rice (14.5%). 

Industrial products used in agriculture increased by 3.2% in 2011, mainly due to the expansion of manure and fertilizers (7.7%), as a result of the higher agricultural income and the rise of prices of some commodities. The production of machinery and equipment decreased by 4.2% - the production of tractors and harvesters was affected by the high basis for comparison, once in 2010 the sector had grown 31.5%. Concerning he foreign sector, the exports of harvesters and tractors increased 5.7% and 11.0%, respectively, according to data of the National Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (ANFAVEA).

Industrial products from livestock fell 1.7% 

Industrial products from livestock fell 1.7% in 2011, with decrease of cattle and hogs and pigs derivatives (-0.7%) and poultry derivatives (-2.2%), and of the subsector of milk (-3.0%). On the other hand, the segment of leather and hides grew by 3.3%.

The subsector of industrial products used in livestock grew by 3.1% in 2011, being greatly affected by the increase of 1.9% observed in the production of animal food and vitamin supplements and by the increase of 9.6% in the production of veterinary products.