Data from the Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex) indicate that trade between Brazil and China had a start to the year marked by a significant increase of 53.7% in Brazilian exports, which totaled US$7.769 billion, accompanied by a rise of 10.2% in Chinese sales to US$5.062 billion. Trade flow totaled US$ 12.831 billion (up 33%).

According to the president of the Brazilian Foreign Trade Association (AEB), José Augusto de Castro, the trade numbers with China are positive, as are the general statistics on Brazilian foreign trade.

Exchanges with the Chinese were impacted by strong increases in crude oil exports, which grew 60.1% over January last year, totaling US$2.8 billion, and by the surprising 229% jump in soybean exports, with revenue of US$1.0049 billion. Beef and cellulose were other highlights in exports to China.

(Source: Comex do Brasil, on February 14)