São Paulo – The state of Minas Gerais exported the equivalent of US$ 2.3 billion in January, a 15% decline over the same month of last year, according to figures issued by Central Exportaminas, an export-oriented government organization. There was a 32% decline compared with December 2011.
In the last twelve-month period, however, foreign sales reached US$ 40.9 billion, 26% more than in the preceding period. The rate of growth was higher than the nationwide rate, which was 24.8%. Minas Gerais accounted for a 15.9% share of Brazil’s exports.
In January, however, imports grew and reached US$ 1.03 billion, 17.1% more than in the same month of last year. The resulting monthly trade surplus was US$ 1.2 billion, a figure 30.4% lower than in January 2011.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
