Brazilian Exports Fall Close to 9% When Compared to 2006

Brazil's trade balance result (exports minus imports) in the month of March reached US$ 3.323 billion, with growth of 15.3% over the figure for February, but 8.56% retraction when compared to March last year. With this, the trade balance surplus for the year has reached US$ 8.689 billion, 6% less than in the fist quarter of 2006.

March presented the greatest trade flow this year, both in sales to the foreign market and in purchases of foreign products. Exports generated revenues of US$ 12.855 billion, whereas imports totalled US$ 9.532 billion, according to a report disclosed today, April 2, by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.

Brazilian exports this year reached US$ 33.919 billion, rising 15.2% in comparison to the first quarter of last year, whereas imports reached US$ 25.221 billion, rising 25.3% in the period.

The official estimate is that foreign sales should reach US$ 152 billion in the year, with a surplus of around US$ 40 billion.

ABr