Agribusiness exports reached US $ 6.23 billion in February, up 5.2% compared to the same month in 2017, the Agribusiness International Relations Secretariat (SRI) said on Monday (12). Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MPLS).
The analysis of the quantum index of agribusiness exports reveals that the increase in the quantity exported was a determining factor for the expansion of the exported value in the month (+ 7.7%), since the measurement of the export price index showed a decrease of 2.3% in prices.
Agribusiness highlights in February were the strong increase in the quantity of soybean meal (90.5%) and soybean oil (65.5%), which generated an increase in the value of exports of 100.3% and 54% 7%, respectively. Other evidence in the month was the 74.4% increase in the value of exported pulp. There was a record in both the quantity (35.3%) of the product and the value, considering the historical series since 1997. Maize also had significant growth in external sales, of 157% in the exported quantity, which was 1.3 million tons.
Another increase was registered in the amount of beef exported in natura, which grew 24% in relation to February 2017, totaling 98 thousand tons, equivalent to US $ 392 million. Exports of live cattle also grew strongly (US $ 48.79 million with a 1,640% increase), with purchases mainly from Turkey (US $ 41.12 million)
While agribusiness exports grew, imports decreased by 1.4%, dropping from US $ 1.10 billion in February 2017 to US $ 1.08 billion in February 2018. The increase in exports and the concomitant drop in imports resulted in the agribusiness trade balance expansion from US $ 4.83 billion in February last year to US $ 5.15 billion. In the two months (January-February), the favorable highlights of Brazilian shipments were increases in sales of corn, cotton, beef and cellulose.