ESTUDO SOBRE OS IMPACTOS DA PANDEMIA DE COVID-19 NA INDÚSTRIA DE TRANSFORMAÇÂO BRASILEIRA

Abstract

The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role in economic development, but faces historical challenges in Brazil, such as deindustrialization, low competitiveness, and unfavorable macroeconomic policies, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzes the impacts of the health crisis on representative industrial sectors, using the Input-Output Matrix (IOM) of UFRJ for the period from 2011 to 2021. The results show that the pandemic had negative effects on most sectors, such as textiles and apparel, which experienced sharp declines due to reduced demand and supply chain disruptions. In contrast, the pharmaceutical sector grew due to high demand for medicines and healthcare supplies, playing a strategic role during the crisis. Economic recovery in 2021 was evidenced by the growth of sectors focused on infrastructure and industrial modernization, such as machinery and equipment, while challenges persist in areas like oil refining. Despite adaptation efforts, such as the production of PPE by the textile sector, the overall losses were not offset. These results highlight the need for public policies aimed at productive diversification, technological innovation, and overcoming structural problems to strengthen the resilience of the Brazilian industry and drive sustainable development.