January 11, 2007

Brazil has US$16 million dairy products deficit
 

Brazil has a US$16.186 million dairy products trade deficit in 2006, according to Brazilian Dairy Cooperatives Federation (CBCL).

Incidentally, the dairy segment recorded a US$11.5 million surplus in 2004.

Brazilian exports grew 6.5 percent compared with 2005, to US$138.5 million and imports increased by 27.6 percent aided by the strong real, to US$154.6 million.

The unfavourable exchange rate made imports more competitive, said CBBL economy department director Vicente Nogueira.

However, a deficit of US$16 million in the event of such an unfavourable exchange rate could even be a cause for celebration, he said.