Alexandre Rocha*
São Paulo – Exports from Brazil to the Arab countries broke a new monthly record in August and reached US$ 648.8 million, according to figures supplied yesterday (05) by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. The value is 5.3% greater than that registered in August 2005, the third largest in history, and 2% more than in July this year, the previous record.
"The result was very good, mainly when considering that the basis for comparison, august 2005 and July 2006, had already been the greatest months in the history of Brazilian exports to the Arabs," stated Arab Brazilian Chamber president Antonio Sarkis Jr.
Egypt was the Arab country that most purchased from Brazil in August, having bought a total of US$ 138.1 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates (US$ 107.7 million), Saudi Arabia (US$ 106.1 million), Morocco (US$ 54.7 million) and Algeria (US$ 49 million).
The countries that grew most as destinations for Brazilian products were Tunisia, which imported the equivalent to US$ 30.8 million, presenting growth of 246% when compared to August 2005, Yemen (US$ 46 million, 110% more), Sudan (US$ 12.6 million, 88% growth), Oman (US$ 7.8 million, expansion of 63%) and Algeria (40% greater).
In the accumulated result for the year, Brazilian shipments to the region generated US$ 3.96 billion, an increase of 20% when compared to the first eight months of last year. "We are flying in clear skies," stated Sarkis. Forecasts by the Arab Brazilian Chamber at the beginning of the year were for growth of 20% in sales to the Arabs in 2006. In all, Brazilian exports have grown 15.9% between January and August.
In the period, the main destinations were Egypt (US$ 898 million), Saudi Arabia (US$ 864 million), the Emirates (US$ 603 million), Algeria (US$ 286.7 million) and Morocco (US$ 282.3 million). The markets that grew most were Iraq (US$ 52 million, 215% growth), Djibouti (US$ 6.4 million, 187% more), Somalia (US$ 46 million, expansion of 92%), Sudan (US$ 41.7 million, 92% greater) and Egypt (49.5%).
Imports
Imports of products from the Arab countries reached US$ 3.84 billion, an increase of 10% when compared to the first eight months of last year. In August they totalled 656.3 million, a reduction of 25% when compared to the same month in 2005. It was, however, the greatest monthly value registered this year, 76% greater than the result in July.
"Despite the reduction in imports, the trade balance is still level," observed Sarkis. The main Brazilian suppliers in the period, from January to August were Algeria (US$ 1.52 billion), Saudi Arabia (US$ 1.17 billion) and Iraq (US$ 482 million), all traditional oil exporters.
*Translated by Mark Ament
