Stênio Ribeiro
Reporter Agência Brasil

Brasília – There is a normal, seasonal drop in exports at the beginning of the year. For example, the trade surplus in December 2005 was US$4.346 billion, compared to US$2.183 billion in January 2005. So, although exports during the first week of January were down 14.2% compared to the first week in December, Brazil still exported a total of US$2.124 billion in goods during the first five days of January 2006, an increase of 19.8% over the first week of 2005.

The rhythm of foreign trade remains strong at the beginning of 2006. The daily average value of exports is running at US$424.8 million, and imports at US$275.8 million.

During the first week of January 2006 the trade surplus was US$745 million.

Translation: Allen Bennett