São Paulo – The Brazilian Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association (Abimaq) reported this Wednesday (27th) that industry exports amounted to US$ 1.419 billion in the first two months of the year, down 21.8% from the same period last year. According to the organization, the highway implement industry accounted for 50% of the decline.
Imports, in turn, were up 5.8% from the first two months of 2012. As a result, the industry trade deficit was up 22.3%.
In February, export revenues reached US$ 719.03 million, up 2.7% from January. Imports were up 8.3% in February from January, and up 1.8% February-on-February.
Total industry revenues stood at R$ 5.981 billion in February, up 13.9% from January, but down 4.8% from February 2012. In the first two months, revenues were down 7.6% from the same period last year.
Industry jobs were up 0.9% in February according to Abimaq, the second straight monthly increase. However, there are 5,700 less jobs in the industry now than in August 2011, when the number of workers was the highest of the last 10 years.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
