Brasília – Brazilian exports reached their highest level ever in 2010, as announced by the former minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Miguel Jorge, this Monday (3rd). In his address on leaving the office, he stated that foreign sales have reached US$ 201.9 billion last year, exceeding the US$ 197 billion record set in 2008.
According to Miguel Jorge, the trade surplus was US$ 20.278 billion in 2010. Imports reached a record high figure as well, at US$ 181.6 billion. He stated that the surplus is higher than analysts’ forecasts. "Early last year, some analysts had projected a deficit of up to US$ 11 billion," he said.
With this result, said Miguel Jorge, Brazil’s share of exports worldwide in 2010 should reach 1.3%, more than the 1.25% target set in the country’s industrial policy.
In December, exports reached US$ 20.9 billion, at a daily average of US$ 909.5 million. The result is 38.3% higher than the average recorded in December 2009.
Imports reached US$ 15.5 billion last month, at a daily average of US$ 676.1 million. The average grew by 21% compared with December 2009. The surplus reached US$ 5.3 billion in December.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
