Rio de Janeiro – Brazilian industrial output grew by 0.7% in July from June. This is the first hike after five months of decline, according to data from the Monthly Industrial Survey of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) released this Tuesday (2nd).
July-on-July, however, industrial output is down 3.6%. Declines could also be seen year-to-date through July (-2.8%) and in the twelve-month period ended July (-1.2%).
The surge from June to July was driven by hikes in durable consumer goods (20.3%), machinery and equipment used in manufacturing (16.7%) and semi- and non-durable consumer goods (0.7%).
Twenty out of the 24 industrial sectors surveyed had an increase in output. Key positive impacts came from computer equipment, electronic and optical products (44.1%) and motor vehicles, trailers and bodies (8.5%).
The segment of computer equipment, electronic and optical products had the highest increase in the historical series, initiated in 2002, and broke a four-month downward spiral (which amassed a decline of 38.1%). Motor vehicles rebounded from a cumulative decline of 18.1% in May and June.
Other sectors which also helped push industrial output growth were transport equipment (31.3%), machinery and equipment (7%), electrical machinery and materials (13.1%), other chemical products (2.4%), and also clothing and accessories (8.6%).
On the other hand, food products output declined by 6.3% and prevented a better result for the industry. Another sector which impacted negatively on results was oil coke, oil products and biofuels (-2.6%).
*Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça
