Machinery industry starts 2025 with growth

The Brazilian machinery and equipment (M&E) industry began 2025 maintaining the signs of recovery observed throughout the second half of 2024, registering growth in net sales revenue and apparent consumption in January 2025. The sector showed an increase of 19,5% compared to the same period in 2024, reaching R$20,5 billion in net revenue.

Despite the seasonal decline compared to December 2024, adjusted performance indicated growth of 7,5%. The growth in the domestic market boosted results, with domestic revenue reaching R$15,6 billion, an increase of 32,3% compared to January 2024.

On the other hand, the sector's exports suffered a significant decline, registering a 22,3% drop compared to the same period of the previous year, totaling US$ 818 million. The reduction in exports to the United States, Singapore and Mexico was one of the determining factors for this decline.

Imports grew 19,3% year-on-year, reaching US$2,7 billion, the highest volume ever recorded for a month of January. China has consolidated itself as the country's main supplier of machinery and equipment, accounting for 36% of imported machinery.

Apparent consumption, an indicator of investment in the economy, grew 37,6% compared to January 2024, reflecting the maintenance of national demand. In addition, the level of occupancy of installed capacity remained stable, while the number of employees in the sector increased by 0,4% compared to December 2024, totaling 400,2 thousand workers.

The data reinforce the recovery trend that began in the second half of 2024 and indicate optimistic prospects for the sector throughout the first half of 2025. Due to the results recorded, the recovery estimate released in January was maintained. The baseline scenario predicts a 3,7% growth in total sales revenue in 2025, which would end a series of three consecutive years of decline.