The year 2023 got off to a “very positive” start for metalworking, whose exports in January grew 13.7% to a total of 1,891 million euros.

In a statement, AIMMAP – Associação dos Industriais Metalúrgicos, Metalomecânicos e Afins de Portugal highlights that this record “confirms and consolidates the growth trajectory of the metalworking sector, despite the particularly challenging context faced in 2022”, with high production costs, an inflationary context and the increase in interest rates.

Among the markets that grew most, in absolute terms, the association highlights Germany, Spain, France, UK (excluding Northern Ireland), USA, Angola, Italy and Japan. “These countries are known for their sophistication and demand, which demonstrates the quality and competitiveness of the products exported by Portugal’s metallurgical and metal-mechanical sector,” he stresses.

In terms of subsectors, the metal products and machinery and equipment were the main responsible for the good performance in January, as well as the transport material sector that “also presented a good performance”.

Recall that the sector closed 2022 as a new annual record of 23,080 million euros sold abroad.

As for the outlook for 2023, AIMMAP is cautious. “The demands are many and, if urgent measures are not taken to mitigate the effects of this reality, the competitiveness of the national economy will certainly be affected. The rise in interest rates, the increase in inflation, the difficulty in hiring human resources and the instability of energy and raw material prices will certainly condition industrial activity,” stresses Rafael Campos Pereira.

According to this responsible, the great challenge for companies in the sector, in 2023, is to “invest decisively in instruments that increase productivity,” since this will allow companies to “face adversities with greater assertiveness in relation to their competitors in other regions.