Industrial output down 0.9% in February
Brazil's industrial output fell 0.9% in February from January, reported the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) today (Apr 1). January saw a 0.3% rise, breaking a two-month spell of negative rates: -1.2% in November and -1.6% in December. Compared to February last year, the country's industrial production declined 9.1%
According to IBGE data, the drop in February comes as a result of the reduction in four major economic categories, most notably that of capital goods (-4.1%), mainly due to a slide in truck production, which is still coping with the effects of the collective vacation period in several units. The outcome has offset some of the 8.2% growth reported in January.
A decrease was also observed in 11 out of the 24 sectors surveyed. Among the main negative influences are motor vehicles, trailers and truck bodies (-1.7%); tobacco-derived products (-24%); and IT equipment, and electronic and optical goods (-4.2%).
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
