Machinery and equipment sector increases by 1,5% in February

The machinery and equipment sector had a 1,5% increase in revenue in February compared to the same period in 2019, according to a balance released today (31) by the Brazilian Association of the Machinery and Equipment Industry (Abimaq). Revenues reached R$10 billion in February. In the last 12 months, however, capital goods manufacturers registered a drop of 0,8%.

Exports also registered an increase in February, growing 8,8% compared to the same month last year, totaling US$ 754,87 million. In the first two months of 2020, with the 26,6% drop in sales abroad observed in January, the sector still has a 9,6% drop in exports. The increase in sales abroad was driven by the segments of manufacturers of machines for the processing industry and machines for agriculture, both with growth of 18% in the first two months of the year.

Abimaq's expectation is that export revenues will continue to expand in the coming months due to the deliveries of orders already placed. The association assesses that with the effects of the coronavirus on the world economy, new orders should be postponed, negatively impacting exports from May onwards.

With 306 thousand workers, the machinery and equipment sector recorded a 0,2% increase in employment in February compared to the same month in 2019.