São Paulo – Brazilian exports to the Arab countries generated US$ 2.9 billion in the first four months of the year, which represented growth of 15.3% over the same period last year, according to figures disclosed by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade compiled by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.
According to the manager of the Market Development department at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Rodrigo Solano, the main products responsible for the expansion in exports were chicken and beef (+24.4%), sugar (+35.8%) and ores (+24.6), which together represented 70% of total sales to the Arabs in the period.
Brazil also shipped aircraft, for the value of US$ 133.7 million (+4%), gold in bars, US$ 89.36 million (110 times more), machinery and mechanical instruments, US$ 77.52 million (+48%), among other products, which vary from grain and milk to live animals and shoes.
The countries that imported most from Brazil from January to April were Saudi Arabia, with US$ 763 million, growth of 30.5% over the same period in 2009, the United Arab Emirates, with US$ 420.8 million, growth of 33.67%, Egypt, with US$ 350.65 million, reduction of 22%, Morocco, US$ 207 million which represents 8% growth, and Algeria, US$ 154.7 million, a reduction of 22%.
According to Solano, the lower sales to Egypt were mainly due to exports of iron ore, which dropped 63% over the first four months last year. In the case of Algeria, the reason was the reduction of 18% in exports of beef.
The growth in sales to the Emirates, according to Solano, was boosted by chicken (+30%), maize (15 times more) and gold in bars, which rose to the second place among the products most sold to the Emirates, exceeding sugar.
In the case of Brazilian imports from the Arab countries from January to April, the country purchased 97% more in comparison with 2009. Imports totalled US$ 2.17 billion. Oil products and fertilizers represented 92% of Arab exports to Brazil.
The main suppliers of these products were Algeria, with exports of US$ 871 million, fourfold growth over the same quarter last year, Saudi Arabia, with US$ 585 million, growth of 36.7%, and Iraq, US$ 176.7 million, 53.36% more.
According to the manager at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Morocco is becoming one of the main Brazilian suppliers of fertilizers, occupying the fourth position in the list. “Brazilian imports of the Moroccan product grew 414% in the period,” according to Solano. Another item that was prominent was the sale of machinery from the Emirates to Brazil. “They represent almost 30% of exports of the Emirates to the country,” he added.
Bilateral trade in the period also grew. The total of exports and imports reached US$ 5.1 billion, growth of 40% over January to April 2009.
April
In April, Brazilian sales to the Arab market generated US$ 655.87 million, 8.4% less than in the same period last year. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt were the main destinations for Brazilian exports, with total sales of US$ 393.7 million.
If considering just Brazilian agribusiness exports to the Middle East, sales in April represented growth of 14% over the same month in 2009, according to figures disclosed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. Exports to the region totalled US$ 505 million.
Saudi Arabia was the eighth main buyer of Brazilian agribusiness products in April, with imports of US$ 172 million and growth of 32% over the same month in 2009. The second main Arab buyer of agricultural and livestock products from Brazil was Egypt, in the 20th position in the general ranking, with purchases of US$ 61.6 million and growth of 27.5%.
*Translated by Mark Ament
