São Paulo – The Brazilian balance of trade showed a surplus in the third week of November (11th to 17th). According to results released this Monday (18th) by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Brazil posted a US$ 808 million surplus in the four business days last week. During the week, the country exported the equivalent of US$ 4.925 billion, averaging at US$ 1.231 billion, up 20.8% from the second week of November. Imports stood at US$ 4.117 billion, at a daily average of US$ 1.029 billion, up 18.7%.
According to the ministry, manufactured goods exports were up 48.2% from the second to the third week of November, driven by the sale of an oil rig, auto parts, plastic polymers, aluminium oxides and hydroxides, and orange juice. Basic goods exports were up 6.3% due to increased shipments of crude oil, beef and coffee beans. Semi-manufactured goods exports were down 1.2% due to decreased sales of raw sugar, leathers and hides, and cast iron. Imports have grown due to increased purchases of fuels and lubricants, mechanical equipment, home appliances, autos and auto parts, and organic/inorganic chemicals.
To date in November, Brazilian exports stood at US$ 11,041 billion and imports stood at US$ 9.317 billion. The monthly surplus stands at US$ 1.724 billion, i.e. US$ 172.4 million per day in the month’s ten business days.
According to the ministry, exports have averaged at US$ 1.104 billion per day month-to-date, up 7.9% from the same period in 2012, due to increased foreign sales of basic goods, up 21.9% to date in November, and manufactured goods, up 0.1%. Semi-manufactured goods exports are down 11.9% from November last year.
To date in November, imports are down 9.8% from the same period in November 2012, due to lower imports of fuels and lubricants, down 42.5%, fertilizers, down 22.1%, mechanical equipment, down 7.2%, autos and auto parts, down 5.9%, and rubber and rubber works, down 3.5%.
Year-to-date, exports stand at US$ 211.512 billion, averaging at US$ 952.8 million per day, down 1.5% from the same period in 2012. Imports stand at US$ 211.617 billion, averaging at US$ 953.2 million per day and down 7.2% from the same period in 2012. The Brazilian trade balance is still on a US$ 105 million deficit to date in 2013. Bilateral trade has amounted to US$ 423.129 billion so far this year.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
