Brazil’s industrial production recorded a growth of 0.7% in February 2026 compared to January, reversing part of the decline observed at the beginning of the year, according to data released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) on April 9.
The growth was observed in 11 of the 15 regions surveyed, with notable contributions from the states of Pará and Pernambuco, driven by the performance of the extractive industry and the food sector.
The result marks a sign of recovery for the sector, which faced contractions in the previous month due to seasonal factors, such as collective vacations and production adjustments.
Among states with a strong presence in the manufacturing industry, there were also notable advances, indicating a resumption of activity in key segments of the economy.
In Pará, growth was led by mineral extraction, while Pernambuco benefited from food and beverage production.
On the other hand, four of the 15 regions analyzed showed a decline in production, with more significant setbacks in sectors linked to the automotive industry and durable goods.
These segments still face limited domestic demand, reflecting the challenges for a broader and more homogeneous recovery in the country.
Compared to February 2025, national industrial production grew by 5.0%, according to IBGE data, highlighting a positive trajectory, albeit with regional variations.
The institute emphasized that the performance of sectors linked to commodities played a crucial role in the month’s result, benefiting from favorable prices in the international market.
Additionally, the resumption of some production chains, impacted by interruptions at the beginning of the year, contributed to the recorded growth.
The research manager, André Macedo, stated that the industrial sector shows signs of improvement but warned of the need to monitor the sustainability of this growth amid global and domestic economic uncertainties.
The accumulated numbers for 2026 reveal a mixed scenario. While some regions have already recovered recent losses, others are still struggling to return to previous production levels.
IBGE points out that the extractive industry, with a 3.2% increase in the year’s accumulation, and the food sector, with a 2.8% growth, are the main drivers of the recovery so far.
However, the manufacturing of capital and durable goods continues to perform below expectations, impacted by credit restrictions and lower consumer confidence.
For more details on the released data, check the full analysis on the official IBGE portal.
The February results bring relief to the national economy, which seeks to consolidate its recovery amid structural challenges.
The industry, a pillar of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), could gain momentum with policies to encourage consumption and investments in infrastructure, but analysts caution that international market volatility and persistent inflation still pose risks.
IBGE emphasizes that the coming months will be decisive in assessing whether the sector can maintain its growth pace or face new obstacles in its trajectory.
With information from metropoles.com.
Original published at O Cafezinho.