The international trade flow began the year at a rhythm similar to last year. With four working days, the fist week of 2007 generated a trade balance surplus (exports minus imports) of US$ 617 million, with a daily average of US$ 154.25 million – little over the US$ 149 million of the first week of 2006.
The general trade balance figures show that foreign sales reached US$ 2.02 billion, with a daily average of US$ 505.8 million, and purchases totaled US$ 1.40 billion, an average of US$ 351.5 million.
The figures were disclosed Monday, January 8, by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.
According to the Focus bulletin, published by the Brazilian Central Bank, which shows market forecasts, for the year, the trade balance surplus should be approximately US$ 38.60 billion – 16% less than the 2006 record surplus of US$ 46.07 billion.
It is worth recalling, however, that the forecasts for early 2006 were that exports should drop 10% when compared to 2005, whereas there was actually an increase of 3.5%.