São Paulo – Brazilian exports stood at US$ 3.378 billion in the first week of April, which comprised only four working days due to Good Friday. Exports averaged at US$ 844.5 million per working day, 20.5% less than in April last year. There was a 11.2% decline as against March 2012. The figures were disclosed this Monday (9th) by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.
Imports, in turn, reached US$ 3.67 billion, i.e. US$ 917.5 million on average per working day, a 4.8% decline over April 2011 and a 6.8% increase over March this year. The resulting trade deficit was US$ 292 million last week.
In comparison with April 2011, according to the ministry, there was a decline in exports of basic, semi-manufactured and manufactured goods, especially soy, oil, coffee, iron ore, pork, poultry, crude soy oil, raw sugar, sawed wood, automobiles, ground levelling machinery and equipment, aircraft, fuel oil, flat-rolled products, and cargo vehicles. From March to April, only sales of semi-manufactured goods increased, by 20.9%.
With regard to imports, according to the ministry, in the comparison between April 2012 and April of last year, purchases declined for fertilizers, rubber and rubber products, pharmaceuticals, plastics and plastic products, copper and metal items, and electric and electronic devices. In comparison with March 2012, there was an increase in imports of aircraft and their parts, vehicles and their parts, fuels and lubricants, fertilizers, copper and metal items, grains, milling products, and chemicals.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
