Imports of dairy products fell by 15% in 2017. This scenario contributes to contributed to reduce the deficit of the sector’s trade balance. Last year they were acquired US $ 561.91 million against US $ 658.37 million imported in 2016. Meanwhile, revenues from exports of dairy products fell 34% to US $ 112.58 million. Thus, the deficit of the commercial balance of the sector, of US $ 449 million, represented a retreat of 7.4% compared to 2016.
For the Union of Dairy Industry of Rio Grande do Sul (Sindilat), the significant loss of the Venezuelan market in exports – in 2016 represented 48% of Brazilian dairy shipments and, in 2017, went to 15% – was one of the factors which affected the performance of foreign sales last year.
On the other hand, according to the president of Sindilat, Alexandre Guerra, the smallest imported volume occurred due to the low prices practiced in the domestic market during the last year.
“The decrease in Brazilian income has led to a reduction in dairy consumption, pushing prices down. This behavior has made the domestic market more competitive, leveling with international prices, “he explains in a note.
According to the official, the lower volume of foreign purchases reduced the supply of products in the domestic market and impacted part of the exports. “These factors left a second semester of poor results for both industry and producers.”