Agribusiness foresees exporting US$ 74 billion
DCI
The agribusiness exported US$ 73.88 billion from November 2009 through October 2010, breaking the historical record of two years ago when it exported US$ 71.8 billion, and the forecast is closing the year with more than US$ 74 billion, thereby defining the new record. The analysis was made by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa).
Besides, in October this year the external sales of the sector reached the mark of US$ 6.99 billion, which not only represents growth of 27.7% compared to the same period in 2009, but also sets a new record for the month. The imports in the month increased 24.1% if compared to the same period of last year, getting to US$ 1.19 billion. As a result, the trade surplus was US$ 5.79 billion.
Among the sectors that contributed the most for the increase in the agricultural exports are the sugar and alcohol complex (44.1%), coffee (62%), fruit juices (50.3%), living animals (58.8%) and the soya complex - bran, grain and oil - (28%). In the latter, the sales totaled US$ 984 million. The exported value of grains, main item in the list of the complex, increased 38.3% compared to that registered in October 2009, from US$ 310 million to US$ 429 million. The volume sold abroad increased 41.5% and the prices were 2.2% lower.
The earnings from the exports of meats increased 6.4%, going from US$ 1.139 billion, in October last year, to US$ 1.213 billion, in the same month this year. The sale of beef in kind stood out, and was 20.6% greater than in 2009.