São Paulo – Exports of agribusiness products from Brazil to the Middle East reached USD 688 million in January, a 49% increase from January 2016, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply reported this Tuesday (21). The Middle East was second on the list of regions whose imports from Brazil increased the most – trailing only Eastern Europe –, and its share of total exports went from 9.3% to 11.7%.
Three Arab countries made the list of 15 biggest buyers of Brazilian agribusiness products in January: Saudi Arabia, in the fifth position, Algeria, in 12th, and the United Arab Emirates, in the 15th position.
Algeria was one of the countries whose imports increased the most, by 108.5% to USD 134.6 million. The Ministry said the growth was fueled by sugar and maize purchases.
Exports to Saudi Arabia amounted to USD 184 million, a 27% increase over January 2016. Sales to the UAE fetched USD 121.2 million, up 23.6%.
Overall, Brazilian agribusiness exports grossed USD 5.87 billion in January, up 17.9% from the same month in 2016.
The top-selling items were meats, sugar and ethanol, soy bean, oil and bran, forest products and coffee. Sales increased for all of these products.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
