São Paulo – Brazilian cooperatives’ exports to Arab countries were down 18% in September 2012 from the same month in 2011, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade. The decline was similar to that of cooperatives’ exports to the world, which declined by 17.15% during the period. Despite the decline, however, the Middle East and North Africa market remains significant to cooperatives, having accounted for 11.6% of total sales, at US$ 66 million.
The leading Arab buyer in September was the United Arab Emirates, which imported the equivalent of US$ 50.5 million. Sales to the country were down 33%. The second leading target was Saudi Arabia, at US$ 6.8 million, up 14%. Brazilian cooperatives also exported to the following Arab countries: Kuwait, Algeria, Morocco, Yemen, Tunisia, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Libya, Bahrain, Djibouti and Mauritania.
Total exports from Brazilian cooperatives amounted to US$ 566 million in September, as against US$ 683.5 million in September of last year. The main target was the United States, followed by China and the Emirates. The top selling product was ethanol, followed by sugar, soy, meats and coffee. Year-to-date as of the end of September, cooperatives exports stood at US$ 4.2 billion and were also down, though by a lower rate than in September: 7%. In the same period of 2011, exports reached US$ 4.5 billion.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
