São Paulo – Brazilian exports fetched US$ 3.8 billion in the first week of April, according to figures released this Monday (7th) by Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade. The period comprised four work days and exports averaged at US$ 965.8 million, up 4.1% from the average in the first week of March, and up 3% from the same period in 2013.
The increase was mostly due to basic goods’ exports. Compared with the first week of April last year, basic goods export revenues were up 9.7% from US$ 476 million per day to US$ 522.3 million, and the main items shipped were crude oil, aluminium ore, maize bean, pork, soybean, salted meats and coffee bean. Basic goods sales also increased, by 7.4%, in the first week of April from the first week of March.
Brazilian imports stood at US$ 4.3 billion last week, averaging at US$ 1.08 billion per day. Daily average imports were up 17.5% in the first week of April from the first week of March this year, and up 10.2% from the first week of April last year. April-on-April, imports increased the most for steel products fuels and lubricants, cereals and milling products, and home appliances.
The Brazilian trade balance showed a US$ 470 million deficit as a result of US$ 3.8 billion in exports and US$ 4.3 billion in imports. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, year-to-date, after 65 work days, exports have fetched US$ 53.4 billion and imports amounted to US$ 59.9 billion. The trade deficit is US$ 6.5 billion.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
