Brazil’s trade surplus in January soared 85.8%; totals 4 thousand 300 million dollars

Brasilia. Brazil’s trade surplus reached $4.3 billion in January, the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services reported yesterday, an increase of 85.8 percent over the previous year, but below the $4.9 billion forecast by economists in a Reuters poll.

Exports of Latin America’s largest economy fell one percent from the previous year to $25.2 billion, while imports recorded a sharper decline, of 9.8 percent to $20.8 billion.

The figures are released at a time when the Brazilian economy shows clearer signs of slowdown. The central bank has kept interest rates unchanged at 15 percent, a nearly 20-year high, since July.

Exports declined in key products: crude oil, iron ore and coffee, while recording strong growth in others such as corn, soybeans and beef.

Regarding imports, which are more diversified, the main drag of the month came from the drop in purchases of fuels and crude oil.

Last month, the ministry estimated that Brazil’s trade surplus this year will range between $70 billion and $90 billion, up from $68.3 billion in 2025.