Brazilian economy down 2.1% in 2015
The decline in industry was steeper in construction (8.4%). 
For the first half of 2015, the Brazilian economy decreased 2.1%, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) reported today (Aug. 28). The decrease of 1.9% in gross domestic product (GDP) for the second quarter compared with the first quarter this year has helped to obtain this result.
The indicator shows that the sum of goods and services produced in Brazil in the second quarter stood at $401.6 million. The amount is 2.6% below that of the same period last year.
Also compared with the first quarter, the biggest drop was recorded in industry (4.3%). Agriculture fell 2.7% and the service sector declined 0.7%. Government consumption grew 0.7%. Exports of goods and services expanded 3.4%, imports declined 8.8% and household consumption fell 2.1%.
The decline in industry was steeper in construction (8.4%) and the manufacturing industry (3.7%). Altogether, they account for 75% of industrial production.
In the service sector, commerce declined 3.3%, transport, storage and mail fell 2% and information decreased 1.3%. The public services for administration, health care and education showed the highest rise (1.9%).
For the first half of 2015, the Brazilian economy posted a yeat-to-date fall of 2.1%, according to IBGE.
2015 and 2014
Compared with the second quarter last year, agriculture presented the only high (1.8%). And, according to IBGE, the good performance of some crop products in the second quarter and productivity helped to achieve this result: a surge of 11.9% was observed for soybeans, 5.2% for maize, and 4.4% for rice.
The decline in industry reached 5.2%, driven by the manufacturing industry, which dropped 8.3%. The service sector fell 1.4%, driven by the negative performance of 7.2% in wholesale and retail market.
Exports of goods and services rose 7.5% and imports fell 11.7%. This performance was affected by the 38% depreciation of the Brazilian currency from the second quarter of 2014 to the same period this year.
Translated by Amarílis Anchieta
Fonte: Brazilian economy down 2.1% in 2015
