The evolution of the exchange rate during Q2 2024 is considered by 19.6 percent of industrial entrepreneurs as one of the main problems faced by industrial companies in Brazil, according to a research developed by the sector association CNI.
With an increase of 14 percentage points compared to Q1 2024, the exchange rate went from 17th to 4th place among the main problems faced by the industry.
In line with the exchange rate, the industry reported that the average price of raw materials increased more intensely during Q2 2024, having achieved the highest rate of increase since Q2 2022, a period when the industry was still facing a crisis in the supply chain caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Regardless of such problem, industrial entrepreneurs have unveiled positive expectations for the demand for their products, acquisition of raw materials, and the hiring of new employees in July compared to June.
This expectation of an increase in activity is related to the level of inventories as stocks of finished products in industries fell in June 2024 to the lowest level for the month since June 2020, an indication that industries will have to increase production to replenish stocks in the short term.
Considering the evolution from May to June, the level of employment in the Brazilian industry was stable, while the utilization rate of the industrial production capacity has shown a small increase from 69 to 70 percent.
The research was developed by CNI next to 1,492 industrial companies between the 1st and 9th of July.