São Paulo – Brazilian foreign trade retained a strong growth rate in March, as it had in February, according to data disclosed today (1st) by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade. Revenues from exports totalled US$ 15.7 billion, representing growth of 33.2% over March 2009, and imports totalled little over US$ 15 billion, an increase of 50% by the same basis of comparison.
According to the Ministry, there was growth in shipments of manufactured goods (13.6%), basic items (38%) and semi-manufactured products (47.6%). Exports to the Middle East grew by 17.6%, driven by sales of meats, sugar, aircraft, soy oil, and machinery and equipment.
As for imports, there was an increase in imports of fuels and lubricants (58.7%), raw materials and intermediate goods (56.4%) and capital goods (18%). Imports of products from the Middle East grew by 196.7%, influenced by oil and fertilizers. The price of oil grew by 153.4% in comparison with March last year.
Year-to-date, Brazilian exports generated US$ 39.229 billion in revenues, representing growth of 25.8% over the same period of 2009, and imports totalled US$ 38.334 billion, 36% more than in the first quarter of last year, resulting in a trade surplus of US$ 895 million on the Brazilian side, a 70% decline using the same basis of comparison.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
