São Paulo – Exports from Brazil to the Arab countries grew 23.11% in March this year as against February, totalling US$ 1.14 billion. Last month, the main buyer from Brazil was Saudi Arabia, importing the equivalent to US$ 261.19 million, growth of 17.93% over the second month of the year. Algeria, in turn, presented one of the most expressive increases in the period, 114.75%, increasing imports from Brasil from US$ 83.31 million in February to US$ 178.91 million in March.
On comparing March 2010 exports to those of March 2011, there was 24.89% growth. In the third month of last year, Brazilian exports to the Arab world totalled US$ 916.41 million. To Michel Alaby, the secretary general at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, it is probable for the growth of sales to have been boosted by foods like chicken, a lower-priced product that suffers less pressure from the domestic market when compared to beef.
In the accumulated result for the quarter, exports grew 38.13%, rising from US$ 2.28 billion from January to March 2010 to US$ 3.16 billion in the same period in 2011. The highlight is the growth identified in North Africa, at 59.31%, with purchases of Brazilian products reaching US$ 1.28 billion. The greatest value, however, went to the countries of the Gulf, which purchased the equivalent to US$ 1.61 billion, with growth of 34.55% in the period. In the countries of the Levant, there was a reduction of 5.83% in comparison with the first quarter of 2010.
Countries like Egypt and Algeria, which underwent turmoil, still presented growth in their imports from Brazil in the quarter. The former’s purchases grew 44.69%, to US$ 400.85 million in Brazilian products, and the second, with growth of 238.14%, to US$ 396.30 million in imports from Brazil. Saudi Arabia was in the lead in the period, with acquisitions of US$ 715 million and growth of 27.95%.
In Tunisia and Yemen, nations that also lived turmoil, there was growth in purchases made from Brazil when comparing the months of March last year and this year. In the case of Tunisia, the growth was 223.22%, and in Yemen, 34%. On comparing February to March this year, the result is a little different. In the case of sales to Tunisia, there was a reduction of 7.96% whereas to Yemen, sales rose 77.24%.
"Despite the crisis, Egypt and Tunisia are receiving many refugees from Libya, so there is probably greater demand for foods," said the secretary general regarding the events in the region.
To Alaby, it is not yet possible to know whether the growth of exports to the Arabs should remain at the same level throughout the year. "In August, Ramadan should take place, so in June, the formation of food stocks starts, with chicken, meats, soy, maize, wheat, canned products and sugar," he explained. "It is very hard to make a forecast at the moment, as the figures still reflect existing contracts, as most sales are for medium term contracts, for one or two years," he said.
Imports
Brazilian imports from the Arab countries presented a reduction of 29.21% in comparison with February, and 2.24% in comparison the comparison between March 2010 and March 2011. In the accumulated result for the year, there was growth of 11.25%, with imports of US$ 1.7 billion. The main Brazilian supplier among the Arab nations in the quarter was Saudi Arabia, with US$ 625.26 million, and growth of 83%.
In bilateral trade, the added value of exports and imports between both regions, the result was growth of 27.38%, with US$ 4.86 billion in exchanges between Brazilians and Arabs in the first quarter of the year. In the comparison between March this year and last year, the increase was 14.37%, and between February and March 2011, bilateral trade dropped 1.12%,
The trade balance was positive for Brazil in all comparisons. Between February and March, the Brazilian surplus rose 351.39%. Between March last year and March this year, the Brazilian surplus was 71.82% greater, whereas in the accumulated result for the quarter, Brazil had a surplus of US$ 1.47 billion.
*Translated by Mark Ament
