São Paulo – Brazilian exports amounted to US$ 4.957 billion last week, at US$ 991.4 million on average per working day, down 11.3% from the average in the first two weeks of September, according to figures released by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade this Monday (24th).
There was a decline in sales of basic goods, such as iron ore, soya bran, meats, oil and tobacco; and of manufactured goods such as auto parts, automobiles, fuel oils, aircraft and ethanol. Exports of semi-manufactured goods, however, were up 15.9%, including raw sugar, semi-manufactured iron and steel products, ferroalloys, molten iron, and crude soy oil.
Imports amounted to US$ 4.503 billion in the third week of October, at US$ 900.6 million on average per working day, down 3.4% from the average in the two preceding weeks. There was a decline in imports of fuels and lubricants, appliances, autos and auto parts, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals. The trade balance showed a US$ 454 million surplus last week.
In September, exports have exceeded US$ 15 billion, down 3.2% from September last year based on daily average figures. Compared with August 2012, however, exports were up 10.3%.
Imports were close to US$ 13 billion in September, down 4.3% from September 2011 based on daily average figures, but up 10.6% from August this year. The trade balance is showing a US$ 2.128 billion surplus so far this month.
Year-to-date, exports have reached US$ 175.62 billion, down 4.8% from the daily average in the same period of 2011; imports have reached US$ 160.322 billion (down 0.6% using the same basis of comparison); and the trade surplus is US$ 15.3 billion (down 33.9%).
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
