Brasília - The Brazilian trade balance the first week of this month (1-8) showed a US$ 937 million surplus, the largest ever recorded in the first week of August. Exports amounted to US$ 2.106 billion, while imports totaled US$ 1.169 billion.

Over five business days, average daily exports came to US$ 421.2 million, while imports averaged US$ 233.8 million. Compared with the daily averages for August, 2003, sales abroad rose 38.1%, due to increased sales in all product categories.

Average daily sales of basic goods were up 55.6% in relation to August, 2003, jumping from US$ 91.9 million to US$ 142.9 million. The chief products sold to foreign buyers were iron ore, chicken, beef, pork, crude oil, soybean meal, and coffee.

Sales of semimanufactured items rose 33.2%, from a daily average of US$ 48.3 million to US$ 64.4 million. The major items in this category were forged iron, sugar, leather, and hides.

Exports of manufactured goods also grew, 30.9%. The daily average increased from US$ 159.6 million in 2003 to US$ 208.8 million. The chief items shipped abroad were airplanes, automobiles, motors for vehicles, and autoparts.

In the import column, the daily average rose 31.6%, compared with the first week of August, 2003, from US$ 177.7 million to US$ 233.8 million. Most of the additional expense came from purchases of fertilizers (154.6%), rubber products (53.9%), plastics (50.2%), and electrical and electronic equipment (47.9%), among other items.

Overall for the year so far, exports total US$ 54.404 billion, 37.7% more than during the same period last year. Imports come to US$ 34.938 billion, up 30.4% in comparison with 2003. The cumulative trade surplus up to now is US$ 19.466 billion, as against US$ 12.730 billion for the same period in 2003, according to information provided by the Ministry of Planning.

Agência Brasil
Translator: David Silberstein
08 /10/2004