Brasília, 3/2/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - With a 20% rise in some important export categories during the first two months of the year, minister of Development, Luiz Fernando Furlan, says that he feels sure Brazil will close out the year with US$80 billion in exports.

According to Ivan Ramalho, the secretary of Trade at the ministry, soybeans, vehicles and mineral ore are performing strongly which will bolster foreign trade as a whole. Meanwhile, he reports, there was also a surge in exports of some household items, such as lamps and furniture.

Another factor is the recovery of the Argentine market, where imports of Brazilian-made cars are up. There has also been an improvement in international prices of soybeans and corn. United States soybean production dropped, which favored Brazilian exports. Iron ore exports to China rose sharply.

The outlook beginning in March for exports of Embraer aircraft is excellent. The US will be the big buyer.

In February, Brazilian exports totalled US$5.722 billion, and imports US$3.740 billion, with a surplus of US$1.982 billion, up 27.1% over February 2003. All the numbers are new records. (AB)