São Paulo – Exports from Brazil to the Arab countries generated US$ 3.3 billion in the first five months of this year, growth of 5.4% when compared to the same period in 2008, according to figures supplied by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade and compiled by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. In the same comparison, total exports from Brazil dropped 23%.
The performance was sustained by growth in sales of products like sugar, aircraft, maize, soy in grain, electric material, soy chaff, soy oil, tobacco, paper and live animals. There was a reduction in the shipment of some traditional products, like meats, ores, vehicles and auto parts, capital goods, products in iron and steel, coffee and dairy.
The main destinations for Brazilian exports in the first five months of the year were Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria and Morocco. There was growth above average in sales to Algeria (29.5%), Egypt (36%), Emirates (10%), Yemen (38%), Iraq (59%), Lebanon (40.6%) and Morocco (25%), as well as in other less traditional destinations like Sudan, Mauritania, Somalia and Djibouti.
In May alone, shipments from Brazil to the Arab world generated US$ 783.6 million, growth of 0.62% over the same period last year.
The result in the month was sustained by the greater sales of products like sugar, aircraft, soy chaff, soy oil, coffee, paper and maize. There was reduction in exports of meats, ores, vehicles, soy in grain and capital goods.
The main markets in May were the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco. There was expressive growth in shipments to the Emirates, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon and Tunisia, as well as Sudan, Mauritania and Djibouti.
Imports
Brazilian imports of Arab products totalled US$ 497.4 million in May, a reduction of 50% when compared to the same period in 2008. There was, however, growth of 35% over April this year.
In the first five months of 2009, purchases reached US$ 1.6 billion, a reduction of 45% over the same period last year. Oil and oil products are the main products imported by Brazil from the Arabs.
*Translated by Mark Ament