São Paulo – Brazilian agribusiness exports generated US$ 44.78 billion in the first half, growth of 3.7% over the same period last year, according to figures disclosed on Monday (9) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply. The soy complex (grain, oil and chaff) was mostly responsible for the growth, according to the ministry.
The group’s foreign sales totalled almost US$ 16 billion, growth of 25.4% over the first months of 2011. Soy in grain was the item that expanded most (35.6%), as a result of the greater volume shipped in the middle term. Oil registered growth of 18.5%, and chaff, reduction of 3.3%.
Exports of meats totalled US$ 7.52 billion, a reduction of 1.6% over the first half of last year. According to the ministry, there has been growth in the volume shipped, but reduction in the average price.
The shipments in the sugar and alcohol sector generated US$ 4.77 billion, a reduction of 17.7% in the same comparison. There has been reduction in the volume traded due to the Russian market, which has expanded its sugar beet production, says the ministry.
There was also reduction in sales of forestry products and coffee, completing the five main product groups exported by Brazil’s agribusiness sector.
Month
In June, exports totalled US$ 8.07 billion, a reduction of 9.4% over the same month in 2011. The ministry informed, however, that this was the second highest monthly value in 2012. Among the main items in the basket, there was a reduction in sales of the sugar and alcohol complex, meats and coffee, but there was growth of 5.9% in shipments of the soy complex.
According to the ministry, the performance was boosted by the international crisis and by appreciation of the dollar, which caused prices to drop, resulting in lower export revenues. The lower exports were identified in all destination blocks, except for Asia.
In the accumulated result for the year, however, there was also growth in sales to Africa (1.6%) and to the Latin-American Integration Association (Aladi).
*Translated by Mark Ament
