Brasília – The Brazilian industry started the year at a "moderate" pace, according to an assessment made by the National Confederation of Industries (CNI). According to the organization, the sector’s output dropped in January and increased in February and March.
Still, the increase in production is considered insufficient to raise the activity to the level deemed usual by the CNI (50 points). In March, the use of installed capacity reached 47.4 points, equivalent to 74% of the total capacity – a 2% increase compared with January and February.
In the first two months of the year, the use of installed capacity was also lower than usual for the period (45.2 points in January and 47 points in February). In January and February 2010, the index also remained below 50. In March, however, the use of installed capacity reached 54 points, the highest value recorded last year.
The outlook for the industry remain optimistic over the next few months, although less than in early 2010, especially due to the domestic market, because export expectations have become pessimistic again in April.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
