With the decrease of 3.5% in december compared to november, Brazil's industrial production grew by 1.2% in the twelve months of 2013, announced today (4) to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). With positive annual result, the industry recovers part of the losses incurred in 2012 when there was a decrease of 2.5%, and exceeds the high of 0.4% in 2011.

The retreat of the last month of last year was the highest since December 2008, which recorded -12.2%. Industrial production also fell in December compared to the same month of 2012, but at a lower rate: -2.3%. This result led the last quarter to record negative result of -0.3% over the same period last year, and -0.8% compared to the third quarter of 2013. 

The drop in production in December was found in 22 of the 27 subsectors. The main negative influence came from the motor vehicle industry, which fell 17.5%, largely due to shutdowns granted to employees. The branches of machinery and equipment (-6.2%), pharmaceuticals (-11.7%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-4.3%) were others who played an important role in the overall decline.

The separation by use categories, the research shows that capital goods were the most fell, with a negative rate of 11.6% compared to november, although growth registering 1.8% compared to december 2012. The result of capital goods was the worst since january 2012, and within two months, the category accumulates losses of 14.7%.

The category of capital goods was the main responsible for the increase of 1.2% annually since accumulated growth of 13.3%. Intermediate goods, on the other hand, did not vary, and decreased consumption of 0.2%. 

With a decrease of 3.9% in december over november , intermediate goods recorded the steepest since December 2008, when 12.2% had retreated. Compared to december 2012 there were also fall into this category of use of 2%.

Consumer goods fell both when analyzed as non-durables and semi-durables. In the first case, the decrease of 3% nullified the gains of the past two months. As for the semi-durable and non-durable, the decline was 2.3% compared to november, the lowest among all categories of use.