Agribusiness reports $8.1 billion surplus

Brazil's agribusiness trade balance closed out July at a surplus of $8.1 billion, resulting from earnings of $9.61 billion in exports and costs of $1.51 billion in imports. The figures were reported Monday (Aug. 11) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply.

Soy (beans, meal, and oil) topped the list of exports, accounting for 41% of sales amount – it sold $3.94 billion in July, 0.3% less than in the same month of 2013. Shipments amounted to 7.44 million tons, up 0.8% compared to July 2013.

The second leading export was meat, with sales of $1.66 billion, 14% up from July 2013. Poultry led the group with sales of $772 million, followed by beef exports which amounted to $690 million. Pork exports totaled $139 million.

The sugar-ethanol group was the third largest exporting sector in July with $1.05 billion in sales and shipments of 2.56 million tons. Other major exports include forest products and coffee. Pulp and paper lead forest products with earnings of $652 million. In the coffee sector, exports totaled $583 million, 65.2% up from July 2013.

Translated by Mayra Borges