São Paulo – Bicycle production in Brazil slid 11.5% in 2016 in comparison to 2015. Last year, 669,729 units were produced, according to data by the Brazilian Motorcycle, Moped and Bicycle Manufacturers Association (Abraciclo). According to the vice-president of the bicycle department of the association, João Ludgero, the decline was due to “difficulties in the national economic scenario” in 2016.
For 2017, however, the sector expects a recovery and forecast a growth of 19%. “The optimism regarding improvements in the economy and the political stability in the country contributes for the forecast pointing to a recovery in volume in the sector in 2017,” said Ludgero, according to a statement released by Abraciclo.
In 2016, bicycles exports totaled 8,423 units, 27.4% more than in 2015. According to Abraciclo, the three main destinations were Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay. Meanwhile, imports declined 44.4% with 135,153 bicycles purchases abroad. The three main suppliers were China, Taiwan and Portugal.
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
