São Paulo – Brazilian agribusiness exports broke a monthly record in May. Shipments generated US$ 10.26 billion, growth of 21.2% over the same month last year. The previous record, US$ 9.84 billion, was recorded in August 2011. The figures were disclosed on Monday (11) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply.
With the result, the participation of agribusiness in total foreign sales of Brazil rose from 36.5% to 44.2% from May 2011 to last month. Furthermore, according to the Ministry, appreciation of the American dollar against the Brazilian real in the period, which climbed from an average of R$ 1.61 per dollar to R$ 1.99, expanded revenues in the Brazilian currency by 50%.
The soy complex, according to the Ministry, was the main engine for agribusiness. The sector answered to 90% of the growth and to 47.7% of total exports. Other important shipments were meats and the sugar and alcohol complex.
Sales rose to Asia, Africa, Aladi (the Latin-American Integration Association) the Nafta (North American Free Trade Agreement). To other blocks there were reductions, according to the Ministry.
From January to May, shipments generated US$ 36.7 billion, growth of 7.1% over the same period last year.
*Translated by Mark Ament
