Brasília - The cumulative surplus in Brazil's trade balance this year rose to US$ 18.529 billion. So far this year, from January through July 31, exports have totaled US$ 52.298 billion, which corresponds to an average increase of 32.8% for each business day. Imports amounted to US$ 33.769 billion, up 25.8% by the same criterion.

Over the past twelve months, between August, 2003, and July, 2004, the cumulative surplus came to US$ 30.876 billion, as against US$ 21.791 billion for the comparable period in 2002/2003. Exports during these 12 months amounted to US$ 86.275 billion, while imports were US$ 55.402 billion.

In the fifth week of July, Brazil sold US$ 849 million more than it bought, with exports of US$ 2.116 billion and imports of US$ 1.267 billion. The daily averages in July, in comparison with July, 2003, grew 54.4% for exports and 42.3% for imports. The balance for the month was positive, generating a US$ 3.48 billion surplus.

In comparison with June, 2004, however, the daily averages were negative: -8% in the case of exports and -4.6% for imports.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Dirce Rattes
Translator: David Silberstein
08/02/2004