In 2009, the value of Brazilian exports to the world declined by 19.3% to an estimated US$158.9 billion. Brazil imported $136 billion worth of products from the rest of world last year, down 21.4% from 2008 trade results.
Brazil’s overall trade surplus amounted to $22.9 billion for 2009, a 7.7% decrease from the $24.8 million in positive cash flow from the prior year.
Brazilian Trade with USA in 2009
According to the latest US Census Bureau statistics, the value of Brazilian exports to the U.S. fell 34.1% to $20.1 billion for 2009.
Brazil imported $26.2 billion worth of American goods in 2009, down 19% from $32.3 billion in the prior year.
Brazil’s trade deficit with American tripled from $1.8 billion in 2008 to $6.1 billion for 2009.
Below is an analysis of the bestselling exports and imports that Brazilian and American trading partners exchanged during the year.
Most Popular Brazilian Exports
All but 2 of the top 10 exports from Brazil to the U.S. suffered double-digit declines in 2009 from the prior year. Only fuel oil and world-famous Brazilian coffee exports registered percentage gains among the top 10 Brazilian product categories.
- Crude oil … US$5.8 billion, down 26.2% from 2008 (28.9% of exports)
- Green coffee … $739.1 million, up 2% (3.7%)
- Fuel oil … $726.3 million, up 31.9% (3.6%)
- Complete civilian aircraft … $664.8 million, down 69.9% (3.3%)
- Unmanufactured steelmaking materials … $586.9 million, down 76.4% (2.9%)
- Pulpwood … $521.1 million, down 39.2% (2.6%)
- Tobacco, waxes and non-food oils… $504.3 million, down 17% (2.5%)
- Automotive parts and accessories … $420.9 million, down 38.1% (2.1%)
- Industrial engines … $409.4 million, down 41% (2%)
- Industrial organic chemicals … $390 million, down 14% (1.9%).
Fastest-Growing Exports from Brazil
Metals used for construction projects were among the fastest-growing products that Brazil shipped to the U.S. in 2009.
- Copper … US$49.1 million, up 1,079% from 2008
- Alcoholic beverages other than wine … $13.2 million, up 115.5%
- Zinc … $3.5 million, up 105.8%
- Nickel … $34.1 million, up 58%
- Feedstuff and food grains … $24.7 million, up 56.8%
- Trucks, buses and special purpose vehicles … $4.7 million, up 54.9%
- Non-monetary gold … $98.3 million, up 50.1%
- Toys and sporting goods … $163 million, up 43.7%
- Computer accessories … $22 million, up 39.4%
- Civilian aircraft engines… $726.3 million, up 31.9%.
Top Brazilian Imports from U.S.
Half of America’s top 10 exports to Brazil showed gains in 2009, led by a 25.2% improvement in U.S. oilfield equipment sales to Brazilian importers. Among the remaining 5 products, U.S. organic chemicals and plastics suffered the steepest slowdowns in sales to Brazil.
- Civilian aircraft and parts … US$4.6 billion, down 15.5% from 2008 (17.7% of imports)
- Computer accessories … $1.9 billion, up 4.3% (7.3%)
- Organic chemicals … $1.2 billion, down 37.2% (4.7%)
- Plastic materials … $1.1 billion, down 28.4% (4.1%)
- Telecommunications equipment … $964.2 million, down 20.1% (3.7%)
- Metallurgical grade coal … $898.6 million, up 4.2% (3.4%)
- Oilfield equipment … $896.5 million, up 25.2% (3.4%)
- Semiconductors … $880.7 million, up 0.4% (3.4%)
- Pharmaceutical preparations … $842.3 million, up 8.6% (3.2%)
- Chemical fertilizers … $816.1 million, down 25.8% (3.1%).
Fastest-Growing Brazilian Imports from America
Out of 142 product categories, 32 American exports to Brazil showed positive growth in sales over 2009. Among the 10 leading growth imports into Brazil last year, 3 of the American exports below had percentage gains over 1,000% while 2 other product categories had triple-digit increases.
- Numismatic coins (collectibles) … US$7.9 million, up 3,410% from 2008
- Natural gas liquids … $52.8 million, up 1,690%
- Artillery, guns, missiles and tanks … $15.1 million, up 292.2%
- Other commercial vessels … $8.6 million, up 165.3%
- Alcoholic beverages other than wine … $3.8 million, up 81.8%
- Parts for military-type goods … $49.7 million, up 60.5%
- Lumber … $7.5 million, up 51.7%
- Trucks, buses and special purpose vehicles … $31.8 million, up 50.8%
- Vegetables … $11.5 million, up 48.3%
- Meat and poultry … $12.4 million, up 41.8%.
Brazil’s Competitive Trade Advantages and Disadvantages
During 2009, Brazil exported $5.8 billion worth of crude oil to the U.S. while importing no crude petroleum from America.
Hence, Brazil has a strong competitive advantage in the trade of crude oil with the U.S. Problems surface, however, when the price of oil goes down and significantly lower Brazil's export revenues.
Conversely, the U.S. sold $1.9 billion worth of American computer accessories to Brazil and imported $22 million worth of Brazilian computer gizmos. America has a clear competitive advantage in computer accessories.
See also Brazil Customs Duty Rates Compared for Selected Imports.
Sources:This analysis is based on latest statistics from the US Census Bureau - Foreign Trade Statistics and CIA World Factbook as of the date of article publication.
Daniel Workman - A senior business and finance writer who also does French translations, notably international trade and insurance materials.
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