São Paulo – The Brazilian balance of trade ran a US$ 4.12 billion trade deficit year-to-date through the third week of November, as per information released this Monday (24th) by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade. The deficit came as a result of exports worth US$ 203.7 billion and imports worth US$ 207.8 billion. In the comparable year-ago period, the trade balance posted a US$ 284 million deficit.
The year-to-date deficit was a consequence of several weeks in which imports exceeded exports, last week included. The country grossed US$ 3.8 billion from foreign sales from November 17th to 23rd, averaging at US$ 767.6 million a day, down 2.8% from the preceding week.
During the week, manufactured goods sales declined by 6.8% due to lower sales of automobiles, fuel oils, pumps and compressors, and auto parts and engines. Basic goods sales also dropped, by 0.9%, driven by oil, coffee bean, poultry, beef and pork. Semi-finished goods exports were up 9.7% due to iron and steel, wood pulp and raw aluminium.
Imports amounted to US$ 4.5 billion last week and bilateral trade stood at US$ 8.3 billion. The weekly trade deficit was US$ 701 million. Average daily imports also declined during the week, by 3.9%.
In the first fifteen business days of November, exports stood at US$ 11.73 billion, averaging US$ 782.3 million a day, down 25% from the comparable year—ago period. Imports amounted to US$ 13.9 billion and the resulting trade deficit was US$ 2.25 billion.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
