Structure of the extractive and processing industry in Piauí State (Brazil): challenges and opportunities for development

The objective in this paper is to examine the structure of the extractive and manufacturing industry in Piauí, to characterize its status and performance in generating jobs compared to Northeast Brazil. Methodologically, this is a descriptive and analytical/explanatory study, supported by comparative statistical analysis of data from industrial companies in Piauí by sections and divisions of economic activities. It was found that extractive and transformation industrial companies in Piauí have lower economic and financial performance than that observed in the northeastern regional scenario, portrayed by the reduced proportional volume of net sales revenue and occupations, despite having relatively competitive operational indicators (value of industrial transformation and labor productivity). Considering the results of its operational indicators, it is concluded that the leverage of production of the most prominent industrial divisions in Piauí (production of food products, metallurgy, beverage manufacturing, manufacturing of non-metallic mineral products, manufacturing of clothing and accessories) and other important divisions in the Northeastern scenario (manufacture of textile products, furniture manufacturing, manufacturing of chemical products, preparation of leather and manufacturing of leather goods, travel goods and footwear) is viable given the low technological level required for the development of such economic activities and the existence of an internal state market for consumption of production. Furthermore, it was observed positive effects in the increase in the level of net sales revenue of industrial companies in Piauí on the generation of jobs.