Brazil’s Industry Output Grows 3.8% in First Quarter

The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) disclosed this Friday, May 4, its Monthly Industrial Survey. The data show a significant increase in the sector. Between February and March, the industry grew by 1.2%, almost one 1% more than the growth rate recorded between January and February (0.3%).

According to the IBGE, production increased in 15 of the 23 sectors included in the monthly survey. The main advances took place in the segments of automotive vehicles, machinery and equipment, and petroleum refinery.

The IBGE survey also pointed to a 3.9% increase in the country's industrial production in March, compared with the same period last year. In this annual comparison, 18 out of 27 activities increased their output.

The most significant growth was recorded in the industries of machinery and equipment, automotive vehicles, basic metallurgy, and computer machinery and equipment.

With the result disclosed today, industrial production in the first quarter of 2007 recorded a 3.8% increase compared with the same period last year.