Brasília - Agribusiness registered a US$ 3.36 billion trade surplus in July. This was the second best result for the month of July since 1989, when the statistical series began. The most impressive results occurred in the soybean complex (grains, oil, and meal), meats, coffee, sugar, alcohol, wood, dairy products, and cotton. According to the Minister of Agriculture, Roberto Rodrigues, the surplus in the sector may surpass US$ 30 billion by the end of the year.

Brazil exported US$ 3.75 billion worth of agricultural products in July, 44.5% more than in July, 2003. Agribusiness was consequently responsible for 42.5% of Brazil's exports in July. Over the past 12 months (August, 2003, to July, 2004), the sector's exports attained US$ 36.67 billion, and the surplus was US$ 31.8 billion.

Soybean exports amounted to US$ 1.12 billion in July, an increase of 56% in relation to July, 2003. This result corresponds to a little over a third of agribusiness exports during the period.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Lana Cristina
Translator: David Silberstein
08/10/2004