São Paulo – The Brazilian balance of trade has posted a deficit again in the second week of February, driving up the month- and year-to-date deficits. As per figures issued this Monday (17th) by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, exports stood at US$ 3.956 billion and imports stood at US$ 4.294 billion last week, resulting in a US$ 338 million deficit. Month-to-date, the deficit stands at US$ 2.041 billion.
According to a communiqué from the ministry, exports averaged at US$ 791.2 million per day in the second week of February, a higher figure than in the first week. The average increased across all three product categories. Basic goods exports stood at US$ 362.8 million, up 37% from the first week, as a result of increased exports of oil, soy bean, coffee bean, soy bran, maize, tobacco leaves and cattle.
Semi-manufactured goods exports stood at US$ 113.7 million, up 17.6% as a result of raw sugar, wood pulp, semi-manufactured iron and steel products, and ferroalloys exports. Manufactured goods exports were up 6.2% to US$ 270.5 million. The increase was driven by automobiles, aluminium oxides and hydroxides, plastic polymers, cargo vehicles, engines and electrical generators, refined sugar, and aircraft.
Imports averaged at US$ 858.8 million a day, down 13.4% from the first week of February. Imports declined for fuels and lubricants, mechanical equipment, electric and electronic equipment, optics and precision instruments, cereals, and milling products.
Month-to-date in February, exports from Brazil stand at US$ 7.214 billion, averaging at US$ 721.4 million per day over a period of ten working days. The average is down 16.48% from February last year. Imports have also declined, averaging at US$ 925.5 million per day, down 1% from February 1st to 16th last year.
Year-to-date, the trade balance shows a US$ 6.099 billion deficit. In the same period last year, a US$ 4.781 billion deficit was recorded. Year-to-date through February 16th, Brazil exported the equivalent of US$ 23.240 billion in goods and imported US$ 29.339 billion.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
