Totaling R$ 541.7 million in sales, the furniture center of Bento Gonçalves had a nominal growth of 2.2% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period last year. However, the furniture industry of Rio Grande do Sul had an increase of 10.3% over the same period, grossing R$ 1.76 billion.

According to the president of Sindmóveis, Henrique Tecchio, despite the modest growth, the furniture industry of Bento Gonçalves continues to create jobs. The quarterly balance sheet of the wood and furniture industry had 124 new jobs, which represents an increase of 1.4% compared to the end of 2013. "We are facing a year with many uncertainties and confidence has never been so low among industrialists, especially regarding the future of the economy. The physical output of the manufacturing industry in Brazil in the first quarter of 2014 was only 0.1% higher than last year, while the domestic furniture industry had a fall in the period," he says.

The furniture industry of Bento Gonçalves grew exports by 5.1% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first three months in 2013. Yet, the result is lower than that achieved by Rio Grande do Sul, which saw a growth of 14.5%. Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Peru and Angola, respectively, were the main markets for Bento Gonçalves in the quarter.