Trade balance records surplus of US$2 billion in the fourth week of March

247 – In the fourth week of March, Brazil’s trade balance showed a surplus of US$2.07 billion, as reported by the Foreign Trade Secretariat of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (Secex/MDIC). The value is the result of exports that totaled US$6.96 billion against imports of US$4.88 billion, totaling a trade flow of US$11.84 billion in the period.

The data reveals a positive trend for Brazil, both in the current month and in the year to date. Until March, the country’s trade balance reached US$5.54 billion, with exports of US$21.92 billion and imports of US$16.37 billion, increasing the trade flow to US$38.29 billion.

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In 2024, Brazilian exports registered an increase of 5.5%, totaling US$72.42 billion, while imports grew 0.8%, reaching US$54.93 billion. This performance resulted in a trade surplus of US$17.49 billion until the fourth week of March, representing growth of 23.9% compared to the same period of the previous year. The trade flow to date has registered an increase of 3.4%, reaching US$ 127.36 billion.

Brazilian exports showed significant growth in products from the Manufacturing Industry, with an increase of US$44.82 million (6.8%) compared to March 2023. However, there was a decline in exports of agricultural products and the Extractive Industry , influenced by the reduction in sales of commodities such as soybeans, unground corn, and crude petroleum oils.

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On the other hand, imports recorded growth in all sectors analyzed. Highlights include increases in vegetables, fruits and non-oil nuts, and motor vehicles, reflecting a strengthening of Brazil’s international trade.

Comparing the daily averages up to the fourth week of March 2024 with the same month in 2023, a 4% drop in exports and a 6.6% growth in imports can be observed, indicating an adjustment in the trade balance. The daily average trade flow has so far reached US$2.39 billion, with an average daily balance of US$346.72 million, showing a slight increase of 0.3% compared to March 2023.