São Paulo – Brazilian exports amounted to US$ 4.765 billion last week, averaging at US$ 953 million a day, down 2.6% from April 2012, according to information released this Monday (8th) by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade. Imports amounted to US$ 4.454 billion, down 4.7% based on daily average figures.
As a result, the trade balance recorded a US$ 311 million surplus in the first week of April. Year-to-date, however, there is a US$ 4.845 billion deficit.
Last week, according to the ministry, manufactured goods exports were down 6.7%, including aircraft, fuel oils, medication, tyres, engines and generators, auto parts, and plastic polymers. Basic goods exports were down 1.1%, especially crude oil, wheat, cotton, livestock, tobacco, and coffee. Semi-manufactured goods sales were up 0.5%, especially copper cathodes, semi-manufactured gold and raw sugar.
Regarding imports, there was a decline in purchases of fuels and lubricants (66.6%), copper and copper works (22.6%), cereals and milling products (7.8%) and ironworks (2.7%).
Year-to-date, Brazilian exports stand at US$ 55.601 billion, down 2% from the same period in 2012 based on daily average figures. Imports stand at US$ 60.446 billion, up 10.6%.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
