BRASILIA: Brazilian exports to the Arab countries reached $5.78 billion worth of products during the first half of the year, according to recent statistics.
Released by Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, and compiled by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), the report indicated thriving trade relations between the region and the South American nation.
The UAE presented an increase of 7.91 per cent to $1.28 billion this year from last year $1.19 billion, it said.
Saudi Arabia sustained second place with an 8.93 per cent increase in its imports from Brazil to $1.28 billion this year from $1.18 billion last year.
The exports to Egypt, Algeria, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait touched $915 million, $484 million, $303 million, $169 million, and $111 million, respectively.
The top exported products from Brazil to the Arab Nations were meat, sugar, ores, slag and ash, and cereals, said the report.
Meats generated revenues of $1.84 billion in H1 of the year, an increase of 2.75 per cent from $1.79 billion for the same period last year.
Meanwhile, sugar earned $1.26 billion, followed by ores, slag and ash collectively worth $757 million. Lastly, cereals garnered $160 million.
Other best-selling products included machinery, iron and steel products, spices, coffee and tea.
Dr Michel Alaby, secretary general and chief executive officer, ABCC, said: “Brazil recorded excellent figures in its exports to the Arab region during the first half of 2015, with USD 5.789 billion worth of products sold to Arab countries.
“This export performance reinforces the already thriving trade relations between the region and Brazil, which is further strengthened with the support of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.
“Throughout the H1 of 2015, we have facilitated business meetings and travel opportunities for traders from the Arab nations to Brazil, enabling them to explore further possibilities for expanding trading ties. We are upbeat that the momentum will be sustained throughout the current year with remarkable growth in Brazilian exports to the region.”
