Brasília, March 5, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Brazil's agribusiness trade balance registered a US$ 1.918 billion surplus in February, with exports of US$ 2.254 billion and imports worth US$ 336 million. This is a record result in comparison with February, 2003, with growth corresponding to 36.2%.

Over the last 12 months, the sector's exports reached US$ 31.445 billion, 22.4% more than during the previous 12-month period.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, agribusiness exports were propelled by the soybean complex (94.7%), sugar and alcohol products (37.96%), meats (27.9%), wood and by-products(13.8%), fruit (17.6%), and fish (12.8%).

The principal markets for Brazilian exports in February were the Mercosur, Asia (excluding the Middle East), and the European Union. (DAS)