São Paulo – After ending September and the first week in October on high notes, Brazil had yet another trade surplus last week. Exports reached USD 3.14 billion and imports amounted to USD 2.48 billion, leading to a USD 662 million surplus.
The figures were made public by the Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade and Services this Monday (17). Exports averaged at USD 786,7 million a day last week, up 16.6% from the week before. Foreign sales increased by 34.8% for basic goods and 14.3% for finished goods. Semi-finished goods slid 15%.
According to the ministry, top-selling basic goods included crude oil, iron ore, poultry and pork and raw cotton. The increase in finished goods exports was driven by aircraft, fuel oils, flexible iron and steel tubes, aluminum oxides and hydroxides, cargo vehicles and auto parts. Semi-finished goods exports were held back by weaker sales of raw sugar, leathers and hides, cast iron and raw aluminum.
Imports averaged at USD 621.2 million a day last week, up 8% from the first week in October. Highlights included autos and auto parts, fuels and lubricants, customer electronics, organic and inorganic chemicals, optics and precision instruments, and plastic products. Still, exports outgrew imports.
So far in October, exports have reached USD 6.52 billion, with imports adding up to USD 5.36 billion. The ensuing trade surplus was USD 1.16 billion. Year-to-date through the second week of this month, exports from Brazil fetched USD 145.8 billion, with imports at USD 108.5 billion and a USD 37.3 billion surplus.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
