The Brazilian balance of trade recorded a US$ 998 million surplus in the fourth week of June, from the 18th until the 24th. Foreign sales during the period reached US$ 3.341 billion, and foreign purchases stood at US$ 2.343 billion.

The figures were supplied by the Foreign Trade Secretariat at the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, and were disclosed this Monday, June 25.

The accumulated surplus for the year (exports minus imports) rose to US$ 19.577 billion, in 119 business days, nearly half the amount projected by financial market analysts for the year (US$ 42,5 billion), disclosed today in the Focus Bulletin, issued by the Brazilian Central Bank.

For the time being, imports remain as the highlight. Whereas exports (US$ 69.900 billion) grew by 20.8% compared with the same period last year, imports (US$ 50.323 billion) saw a 26% increase, using the same basis for comparison.

On the average per business day, exports stood at US$ 668.2 million, a 19.7% increase over the same period in July 2006, and a 5.3% increase over May 2007.

Average imports per business day reached US$ 422.9 million, from the 18th until the 24th this month, a 34.5% increase compared with the same period last year, and a 6.2% increase over May this year.

ABr