Brazil exported US$ 6.74 billion in furniture last year, representing an increase of 17.2% when compared to 2005, according to the Abimóvel (Associação Brasileira das Indústrias do Mobiliário – Brazilian Furniture Industry Association).
The sutheastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais presented the greatest growth in sector foreign sales, 46.8% when compared to 2005, followed by the state of São Paulo, with 21.8%, and Pernambuco, in the Northeast, 7.4%.
However, in absolute terms, the largest Brazilian exporters of furniture was the southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, followed by Santa Catarina, also in the south.
Even with the appreciation of the Brazilian real against the dollar, which affects Brazilian exports, the sector trade balance in 2006 was positive, with a surplus of US$ 819 million.
