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Brazilian exports grew only 2.6% in August, while imports rose 26.9%. Brazil sold the equivalent of US$ 11.348 billion and purchased US$ 7.676 billion worth of foreign goods, resulting in a trade surplus of US$ 3.672 billion.
Overall flows in both directions were the greatest this year, but the surplus in August was only the third largest, losing out to July (US$ 5.012 billion) and June (US$ 4.030 billion).
The surplus for the first eight months of this year rose to US$ 28.348 billion, 29.5% more than the US$ 21.904 billion surplus registered over the same period in 2004.
Between January and August, total exports were up 24%, totaling US$ 76.086 billion, while imports, which amounted to US$ 47.738 billion, rose 21% during the 168 business days of this year, compared to the same period in 2004.
The surplus in the last 12 months (September, 2004, to August, 2005) stands at US$ 40.108 billion, with US$ 111.206 billion in exports and US$ 71.098 billion in imports.
The general figures for the trade balance are available on the site of the Ministry of Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade - www.desenvolvimento.gov.br.
Agência Brasil
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