Brasília, July 7, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Brazilian exports grew 5.2% in the first week of July, in comparison with the same period last year. According to data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade, the daily average of foreign sales of Brazilian products rose from US$ 270.6 million to US$ 284.8 million. Two product categories - semi-manufactured and manufactured - presented sales increases.

Daily sales of products such as cellulose, soybean oil, iron alloys, hides and skins, and raw aluminum grew 58.8% in comparison with last July, while daily sales of products such as vehicle parts, footware, vehicle engines, fuel oils, pumps and compressors, furniture, and tires rose 4.8%.

According to the Ministry, foreign sales of basic products - soybeans, beef, poultry, coffee, and orange juice - fell for the first time this year. The daily average dropped from US$ 89.9 million to US$ 75.;3 million, representing a 16.3% decline in relation to the same period last year.

Brazil's imports, for their part, showed a decline of 9.2% in relation to the same period last year. The country's daily purchases went from an average of US$ 218.3 million, last year, to US$ 198.3 million, this year. Expenses were cut, especially, in the purchase of mechanical equipment (-33.6%), electrical and electronic appliances (-36.7%), automobiles and auto parts (-18.5%), and plastics (-10.6%).

Despite the overall decline, Brazil spent more on fuels and lubricants (76.9%), electric and electronic equipment (19.6), fertilizers (61.6%), optical and precision instruments (24.4%), and pharmaceutical equipment (19.6%). (DAS)