Marina Sarruf*
São Paulo – Brazilian agribusiness exports to the Arabs generated US$ 278.7 million in March, which resulted in an increase of 16.5% when compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. In the first three months of the year, sales were stable in comparison to the same period in 2005.
"This increase is a surprise to the Arab Brazilian Chamber as despite restrictions for imports of some Brazilian products, the figure continues growing," stated the president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Antonio Sarkis Jr.
The increase in sector sales to the Arabs was similar to that of Brazilian agribusiness sales as a whole in the month of March. The three main Arab buyers last year were Saudi Arabia, with imports of US$ 76.5 million, 53% more than in the same period in 2005; Egypt, with US$ 49.5 million and an increase of 78%; and Yemen, with US$ 31.8 million, growth of 84%.
"The growth of exports to some Arab countries has consolidated Brazil as a supplier of foods. The country has been occupying greater and greater space," stated Sarkis.
To Saudi Arabia, the main products shipped were meats, with US$ 37.9 million, sugar, soy and wood. The products most purchased by Egypt were sugar, with US$ 24 million, meats and soy, and by Yemen the most bought products were sugar and meats.
The markets that grew most as destinations in the region were Sudan, which purchased the equivalent to US$ 4.3 million, an increase of 905% in relation to March last year; Somalia (US$ 1.3 million, 364% more than in the same month in 2005) and the Comoros (US$ 183,000, with growth of 129% in comparison to the same period last year).
Accumulated
From January to March this year, Brazilian agribusiness exports to the Arabs totalled US$ 722.4 million, an increase of 5.6% in comparison to the same period last year, when shipments generated US$ 683.9 million. Total agribusiness exports between January and March totalled US$ 9.797 billion, 11.5% over the value exported in the same period in 2005.
*Translated by Mark Ament
