Brazil’s exports to China, its biggest trading partner, rose 28% in 2021, helping South America´s largest economy post a USD 61 billion trade surplus, according to official data.
Last year, there was growth in Brazilian exports mainly to the United States, which surged 44.9%. Sales to China rose 28%. The biggest increase in imports in 2021 came from goods from the Mercosur trade bloc, rising 44.7%, followed by the US at 41.3% and China at 36.7%.
Exports reached a record USD 280.4 billion, mainly due to a rise in prices amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while imports totaled USD 219.4 billion.
For 2022, the government’s expectations are for an increase in exports of 1.4% to USD 284.3 billion, while imports are expected to fall 6.6% to USD204.9 billion, the ministry said. Forecasts call for more moderate growth in global trade this year.
In December, Brazil had a trade surplus of USD 4 billion, on exports of USD 24.4 billion and imports of USD 20.4 billion.
