São Paulo – Brazilian agribusiness exports reached US$ 7.33 billion in July, representing growth of 16.6% compared with the same month last year, according to figures disclosed today (11th) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. Sales to the Middle East grew by almost 40% using the same basis of comparison, a growth rate second only to shipments to the Latin American Integration Association (Aladi) member countries.
Three Arab countries were in the list of 20 leading importers in July: Saudi Arabia, in the 10th position, Egypt, in the 13th, and United Arab Emirates, in the 17th. Iran, which is also a Middle Eastern country, ranks 5th on the list, after China, the United States, the Netherlands, and Russia.
According to the ministry, the sectors that influenced Brazilian exports the most last month were sugar and ethanol, which recorded growth of 44.3%, meats (22.4%), forestry products (21.9%), coffee (32.4%), leathers (31.7%) and livestock (65%).
From January to July, export revenues totalled US$ 42.3 billion, 12.1% more than in the same period of 2009. The highlights pointed out by the ministry include greater exports to two Arab countries: Egypt (54.4%) and the United Arab Emirates (22%).
Imports
It is worth noting that Brazilian agribusiness products imports are showing strong growth this year, even though the increment is small when compared with exports.
In July, foreign purchases totalled US$ 1.13 billion, growth of 42% over the same month of 2009. In the first seven months of the year, imports reached US$ 7.21 billion, growth of 36.7% over the same period last year.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
