Brazil manufacturing revenue falls 3.5% in August

Brazil's manufacturing industry experienced a 3.5% decline in revenue in August, marking the second consecutive month of contraction following a 2.2% drop in July. According to data from the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), the cumulative revenue decline from January to August 2026 stands at 0.2% compared to the same period in 2025.

The slowdown is accompanied by a 1% decrease in hours worked during August and a drop in installed capacity utilization, which fell from 77.5% to 76.9%. While industrial employment remained stable in August, the sector has seen a 0.5% decrease in employment levels year-to-date.

Regional data from IBGE indicates that national industrial production fell by 0.6% in August compared to July. Significant declines were noted in Pará (-7.3%), Amazonas (-5.7%), and Rio Grande do Sul (-4.5%), while Bahia recorded the highest expansion at 3.7%.

In a related sector, cement sales in Brazil fell by 5.7% in September compared to the previous year, totaling 5.7 million tons. The National Cement Industry Union (Snic) attributed this decline to fewer working days and persistent rainfall affecting construction projects.