Brazil’s industrial production starts the year at a slower pace -CNI

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil’s industrial production began the year at a slower pace, following the trend of the second half of last year, reported today (15) the National Confederation of Industry (CNI).

According to Sondagem Industrial (Industrial Survey), production, employment, and capacity utilization declined from December to January.

According to the bulletin, the index of production growth was 43.1 points compared to 43.3 points in December, a month marked by the slowdown in industrial production. In addition, the result is below the 50-point threshold between decline and growth in industrial production.

“The January index is virtually the same as in December 2021, reinforcing the downward trend in industrial production,” the CNI’s assessment said.

The figures reflect the performance of small, medium, and large enterprises operating in the industry in general, extractive industries, and the transformation sector. The result also shows that employment in January 2022 was below the dividing line compared to December 2021, with 48.6 points.

“The employment trend index reached 48.8 points in January, representing a decline, as the index was below the 50-point threshold that separates a decline from an increase in employment,” the bulletin said.

The utilization of installed capacity in the industry fell by one percentage point compared to December and stands at 67%. This is the second consecutive month of decline.

The result is two percentage points lower than in January 2021 (69%) and is in line with the average of January values in recent years (67%).

According to CNI, despite the indicators in February, the expectations of entrepreneurs continue the same trend of moderate optimism that had been indicated in January, with clear directions in demand expectations and export expectations.