Based on data from the Ministry of Economy, Brazilian Rice Industry Association (Abiarroz) said that Brazil had a positive balance in the trade balance of rice (husk base) in the year. From January to May, rice exports totaled 557.9 thousand tons, while imports reached 491 thousand tons. As a result, the sector’s surplus was 66.9 thousand tons. However, the entity said that rice shipments in May were the lowest in the year: 39,740 tons. Imports reached 105 thousand tons, a deficit of 66.7 thousand tons. The exports of processed rice, in turn, grew by 11% in price and 26% in volume when compared to the same period in 2021. “We had a deficit of US$ 1.45 million in the trade balance because imports have increased”, said Carolina Matos, exports manager at Abiarroz. Matos pointed out that the sector has been impacted by constant import tariff reductions, in addition to the high international freight price, which persisted after the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic.
Sources: Universo Agro/DATAGRO (*Translated by Ia Niani)