Brazilian exports to Arab countries reached $12.197 billion in 2019, registering a growth of 6.3 per cent compared to figures in 2018, according to data from the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC).  

The latest numbers reflect the continuously growing trade relations between the country and the region. The value of the UAE’s imports from Brazil last year hit the $2.21-billion mark at 2.77 million tonnes, while Saudi Arabia purchased 3.48 million tonnes of goods worth $2.04 billion, said a statement from the company.

Egypt and Oman bought 6.78 million tonnes of products amounting to $1.83 billion and 10.81 million tonnes of goods worth $937.58 million, respectively.

The top Brazilian products exported to Arab countries during the period were poultry; cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose; iron ores and concentrates; bovine meat; maize (corn); tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles; gold (including gold plated with platinum); soya beans; coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated; petroleum oil and oil obtained from bituminous minerals; and motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for passenger transport.

In 2019, the total Brazilian chicken meat exported to the Arab world was valued at $2.38 billion at 1.49 million tonnes.

The bulk of the product, which amounted to $790.63 million, went to Saudi Arabia at 469.76 thousand tonnes, followed by the UAE ($561.19 million, 342.21 thousand tonnes) and Kuwait ($177.43 million, 114.76 thousand tonnes).

For bovine meat, the Arab world imported a total of $1.17 billion at 354.5 thousand tonnes. The biggest importer during the year was Egypt at 162.66 thousand tons valued $476.69 million, followed by the UAE at 71.40 thousand tonnes worth $259.58 million (the imported value of bovine meat was 93 per cent higher than in 2018) and Saudi Arabia at 42.1 thousand tonnes worth $142.20 million.

Rubens Hannun, president of ABCC, said: “The 2019 figures are a testament anew to the great trade ties between Brazil and the Arab region. Over the past years, we have witnessed uninterrupted growth in their export and import activities and we expect this trend to continue into 2020 and beyond - riding high on the success brought forth by their shared commitment to sustaining a more productive trade partnership.”

“The figures reveal the high global demand for Brazilian beef, which is known for its quality and excellence. As the Arab region continues to buy Brazilian products in the coming years, the South American nation is also doing the same. We see reinforced relations between them as Brazil expands its reach in the region along with other global markets,” Hannun added.

The total Brazilian imports from Arab countries reached $6.99 billion at 17.29 million tonnes in 2019. Its top imported items from the Arab countries were mineral fuels; mineral oils; bituminous substances and mineral waxes; fertilizers; plastic; salt and sulphur; earth and stone; plastering materials, lime, and cement; organic chemicals; and fish, crustaceans and mollusks, and other aquatic invertebrates, it added. – TradeArabia News Service