São Paulo – Brazilian agriculture and livestock exports to the Middle East were up 2.7% year-on-year in August, as per information released this Tuesday (9th) by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. Agriculture and livestock exports also increased to two Arab countries on the list of Brazil’s top 20 agribusiness export targets in August: Saudi Arabia, the first Arab target and sixth on the overall ranking; and the United Arab Emirates, second among Arab countries and 12th overall.
Exports to Egypt, the 20th leading target overall and third among Arab countries, were down 49%. Brazilian exports increased by 57% to Saudi Arabia and by 27% to the Emirates. Saudi Arabia’s imports amounted to US$ 264,400, the Emirates’, to US$ 198,700 and Egypt’s, to US$ 126,300.
In August, Brazilian agribusiness exports to the Middle East grossed US$ 768,400. The region accounted for 8.6% of overall exports from Brazil, as against 7.4% in August 2013. The Middle East comprises several Arab countries, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as non-Arab ones such as Israel and Iran. This means that the ministry’s export figures concerning the Middle East also include these countries.
The hike in exports to the Middle East counters the general market trend, since total Brazilian agribusiness exports dropped by 12.5% year-on-year in August, to US$ 8.8 billion. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, products of vegetable origin impacted upon export figures the most in August, especially sugar and ethanol, soy bean, bran and oil, cereals, flours and their preparations. Exports of products of animal origin increased, on the other hand.
Year-to-date through August, Brazilian agribusiness exports were down 2.1% from the same period of last year, to US$ 67.6 billion. During the period, sugar and ethanol also weighed down the most on overall results. Exports increased for segments such as soy bean, bran and oil, meats, forest products, paper, wood and wood pulp.
Year-to-date through August, exports to the Middle East declined by a higher rate than overall exports – 12%, to US$ 4.6 billion. Sales to two Arab countries on the top 20 list declined during the period: Saudi Arabia, down 15%, and the Emirates, down 9.3%. Brazilian exports to Egypt, another top 20 country, were up 0.7%.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
