São Paulo – The Brazilian balance of trade has posted a deficit again in the fourth week of October, same as in week three. According to figures concerning October 20th to 26th released this Monday (27th) by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, exports from Brazil amounted to US$ 3.793 billion in the fourth week and imports stood at US$ 4.395 billion. The ensuing trade deficit was US$ 602 million.
According to a press release from the ministry, exports averaged US$ 758.6 million a day in week four, down 7.5% from week three. Sales declined across all three product categories.
Basic goods exports were down 9.7% due to lower sales of crude oil, pork, poultry and beef, maize and soy. Semi-manufactured goods exports were down 9.7% due to wood pulp, raw sugar, ferroalloys, cast iron and semi-manufactured gold. Manufactured goods exports declined by a smaller rate, 0.6%, due to weaker exports of refined sugar, taps/valves, aircraft, plastic polymers and chassis with engines.
Average daily imports were up 1.6% to US$ 879 million in week four. In week three, imports had averaged US$ 865.3 million a day. Imports increased for fuels and lubricants, mechanical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and optics and precision instruments.
According to the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, year-to-date through last Sunday (26th), Brazil exported the equivalent of US$ 188.093 billion and imported the equivalent of US$ 189.973 billion. The year-to-date deficit was US$ 1.88 billion. In the comparable period of 2013, the deficit was US$ 829 million.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
