Through the first week of April, Brazil’s exports in 2005 totaled US$ 25.039 billion. This figure is 25.1% greater than what the country exported during the same period in 2004, US$ 20.023 billion.
If average exports/business day are considered, the increment is even larger. This year’s average through the first week of April amounted to US$ 403.9 million – 29.1% greater than last year’s average of US$ 312.9 million.
Imports also grew, but less than exports. Since the beginning of the year, they have attained US$ 16.427 billion, 19.2% more than the US$ 13.781 billion imported during the same period in 2004.
Average daily imports also grew at a slower pace than exports. Through the first week of April, the average amounted to US$ 265 million – 23% greater than last year’s daily average of US$ 215.3 million.
This year’s cumulative trade surplus also evidenced substantial growth through the first week of April: US$ 8.612 billion – 37% greater than last year’s figure of US$ 6.242 billion.
Disregarding the first week of April, which included only one business day, the three categories of export products have reached historical record values so far this year.
Manufactured items represented US$ 14.2 billion (39.7% more than for the same period in 2004); basic commodities, US$ 5.9 billion (up 3.4%); and semi-industrialized goods, US$ 3.8 billion (up 31.6%).
In the comparison with last year, it is also important to note that the share of manufactured products (industrialized goods such as tractors and airplanes, with high added value) rose from 53.4% to 58.3% in the export portfolio.
Translation: David Silberstein
Agência Brasil