São Paulo – Brazilian exports stood at US$ 19.323 billion in March, averaging at US$ 966.2 million per working day, an all-time high for March and up 1.6% from March last year, according to figures released this Monday (1st) by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade. Total export revenues during the period, however, were down 7.6% from US$ 20.911 billion in March 2012.
Imports stood at US$ 19.159 billion, averaging at US$ 958 million per day, up 11.6% from March last year. Both the total export figure and the daily average were all-time highs for the month, according to the ministry.
As a result, Brazil posted a US$ 164 million trade surplus last month, down 91.9% from March 2012. The surplus did not suffice to offset the deficit recorded in January and February.
Year-to-date, Brazil’s trade deficit stands at US$ 5.15 billion, as against a US$ 2.419 billion surplus in the first three months of last year. From January to March this year, exports stood at US$ 50.839 billion, down 3.1% from the first quarter of 2012 based on daily average figures; and imports stood at US$ 55.989 billion, up 11.6%.
In March, daily average exports increased for semi-manufactured goods (17.2%) and manufactured goods (4.1%), while exports of basic goods were down (3.7%). In terms of destinations, exports increased to Western Europe (26%), Africa (12%), the Middle East (10.1%), Mercosur (7.2%) and Asia (1.7%).
Imports increased for fuels and lubricants (15.8%), capital goods (12%), raw and intermediate materials (11.6%) and consumer goods (7.4%). Imports from all supplying regions except Africa increased. Imports from Middle East countries were up 70% due to oil, aluminium, machinery and equipment, glass and fisheries.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
