Brazilian exports dropped in June 18.3%

Brazilian exports generated US$ 19.354 billion in June, a retraction of 18.3% in comparison with the same period in 2011and 16.6% as against May 2012, according to figures disclosed by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade. Imports, in turn, totaled US$ 18.547 billion, a reduction of 3.7% over June 2011 and of 8.5% in comparison with May this year. The Brazilian trade balance registered a surplus of US$ 807 million, 81.8% less than in the June last year. There was a reduction in shipments of basic products, like oil, coffee, pork, iron ore, chicken, soy chaff, copper ore, tobacco and beef; in partly manufactured goods, like partly manufactured gold, wrought iron, party manufactured iron and steel, sugar in bulk, soy oil in bulk and iron alloys; and of manufactured products, like refined sugar, cargo vehicles, fuel oil, vehicles, plastic polymers, engines, auto parts, tires and sheet laminates. Sales dropped to all economic blocs. In terms of imports, purchases dropped in all groups of products, except for fuels and lubricants. Among capital goods, there was a reduction in acquisitions of industrial machinery and parts; in consumer goods there was reduction in imports of vehicles, drinks and tobacco, food products and equipment for domestic use; and, in the area of raw material and intermediate goods, there was retraction in purchases of non-food agricultural products, foods, ores and chemical and pharmaceutical products. In the case of fuels and lubricants, there was growth in prices and volumes bought of oil, naphtha, petrol and natural gas. The Middle East was the region that grew most as a Brazilian supplier in June, with 75% growth over the same month last year, according to the Ministry. In the accumulated result for the first half, exports reached US$ 117.215 billion, reduction of 0.92% over the same period in 2011. In the same comparison, exports grew 4.5% to US$ 110.142 billion, resulting in a surplus of US$ 7.073 billion, 45.5% lower than in the first six months of last year.