On Industry Day, celebrated on May 25, the sector reaffirms its strategic role in the Brazilian economy by maintaining growth in 2025 and a significant presence in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), alongside a strong contribution to exports and foreign exchange generation. During this period, industrial activity grew by 1.4% in a country where the GDP grew by 2.3%, maintaining a 23.4% share—nearly a quarter of the Brazilian economy.

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The relevance of the industry goes beyond its size. According to the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), the sector also accounted for 35.2% of federal tax revenue last year, which helps illustrate its fiscal weight and its ability to drive income, investment, and demand across other production chains. In other words, when the industry gains competitiveness, the effect spreads through logistics, technology, services, infrastructure, and foreign trade.

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This leadership was evident in foreign trade performance. In 2025, Brazil hit a historic export record with US$ 349 billion shipped, while total trade reached US$ 629.1 billion, according to data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (Mdic). Within this movement, the manufacturing industry also recorded a record export value of US$ 189 billion, an increase of 3.8% in value and 6% in volume. Highlights included beef, vehicles for transporting goods, trucks, electrical machinery and appliances, mechanical machinery and tools, as well as perfumery products and measuring instruments.

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Alongside the manufacturing industry, other sectors crucial to Brazil's trade balance also maintained their prominence. The extractive industry saw record shipments of iron ore and oil in 2025, while agricultural goods advanced in both volume and value, led by soybeans, green coffee, and cotton. For an exporting country like Brazil, this means direct exposure to exchange rate behavior: when the exchange rate fluctuates, the effects appear in margins, pricing, input costs, and cash flow predictability.

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^{Exchange rates as a management tool}

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This is why, for the industry, the exchange rate should not be viewed merely as a market indicator, but as a management tool. In export chains, a more favorable currency can boost competitiveness and open doors to new business. Conversely, exchange rate volatility can erode results when a company lacks the proper tools for protection, planning, and financing. This applies equally to large commodity exporters and mid-sized industries that are beginning to diversify markets and increase their international sales.

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In this context, access to financial solutions that help turn exchange rate exposure into a strategy becomes increasingly important. With over four decades of experience, Ouribank brings together exactly this set of tools for companies: foreign exchange and international payment operations, exchange rate protection through hedging, international receivables discounting, credit lines and import financing, as well as integrated accounts and solutions for global operations. The goal is to provide greater financial predictability, reduce risks, and support the international expansion of Brazilian companies.

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In practice, this means supporting the industry in key operational areas. An exporting company can discount international receivables to improve working capital; another can use hedging to lock in part of its exposure and protect margins on longer-term contracts; a third can integrate international payments and receipts to gain operational agility. In all these cases, the objective is the same: to ensure that exchange rate management keeps pace with the company's commercial ambitions.

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The current moment also reinforces the need for sophistication. In 2025, China imported US$ 100 billion from Brazil, an increase of 6%, while exports to Argentina grew by 31.4%, driven by the automotive sector. Meanwhile, sales to the European Union rose by 3.2%. This redesign of trade flows shows that the Brazilian industry is integrated into diverse markets, each with very different exchange rate, regulatory, and competitive dynamics. The greater the international presence, the greater the need to combine commercial intelligence with financial management.

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On Industry Day, the message is that industrial competitiveness depends on more than just production, scale, or demand. It also requires financial planning, protection, and execution capabilities. In an increasingly complex global environment, foreign exchange is no longer a peripheral issue; it has moved to the center of strategy. For sectors that drive the Brazilian economy, export heavily, and seek consistent growth, relying on specialized solutions is more than just a convenience. It is a vital step toward turning an international presence into sustainable results.

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