Alexandre Rocha*
São Paulo – Brazilian agribusiness exports to the Arab countries generated US$ 349.3 million in January this year, an increase of 44.4% when compared to the same period last year. The volume shipped was 684,400 tonnes, presenting growth of 47%, according to figures supplied to ANBA yesterday (13) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply.
In terms of revenues, the increase in sales to the Arabs was much greater than the general growth of sector exports, 28.7% in January. Apart from this, the participation of the Arab market in total shipments rose from 8.26% in January 2006 to 9.26% in the first month of this year. The total value of agribusiness exports in the month was US$ 3.772 billion. "The Arab market continues presenting new business opportunities for Brazilian agribusiness," stated the president at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Antonio Sarkis Jr.
Proof of this is that three countries in the region are among the 20 greatest importers of sector products: Saudi Arabia, which purchased the equivalent to US$ 56 million in January; the United Arab Emirates (US$ 49.6 million) and Egypt (US$ 47 million). "Apart from these countries being among the main buyers from Brazil, others increased their imports in a more significant manner," stated Sarkis.
Among the examples are Algeria, the fourth main importer among the Arabs, which purchased the equivalent to US$ 27.3 million from Brazil, a sixfold increase when compared to January last year; Iraq, whose imports were US$ 21.4 million, 158% more; Syria, which imported US$ 20.3 million, seven times the total registered in January 2006; Lebanon (US$ 20 million, 60.8% growth); Tunisia (US$ 15.8 million, eight times the value in the previous year); Libya (15.7 million, nine times more); and Kuwait (US$ 13.3 million, 20.6% increase).
Among the destinations in the Arab world, the country that grew most, however, was Yemen, with purchases of US$ 13.1 million, almost 27 times more than in January last year. Exports to Mauritania also presented a significant increase (US$ 7.2 million, 19 times the value in the same month in 2006); Oman (US$ 4.6 million, 26.6% growth); Qatar (US$ 4 million, 27.5% increase); Jordan (US$ 3.4 million, growth of 42.8%); and Bahrain (US$ 3.3 million, up 107%).
"Notwithstanding the exchange policy, the competitiveness of Brazilian agribusiness products is unbeatable," stated the secretary general at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Michel Alaby, referring to the appreciation of the Brazilian currency, the real, against the dollar. Among the main products shipped are sugar, meats, coffee, forestry products, live cattle, dairy products, tobacco, fibres and textile products, fruit juice, fruit, teas and concoctions. Except for live animals and leather, all the products in the list presented expressive export increases.
Alaby pointed out that more than greater revenues, agribusiness exports to the Arabs presented even greater growth (47%) in volumes shipped. "This is excellent, the price had its effect, but the growth in volumes sold was even greater showing that more products are being sold, which generates more jobs," he finished off.
*Translated by Mark Ament
