Agribusiness exports reach US$ 7 billion in the 1st half of 2023

7.6 million tons of agricultural products were shipped to 166 countries. The sector was responsible for 36% of external sales from Minas in the period.

Minas Gerais agribusiness exports totaled US$ 7 billion from January to June this year, with 7.6 million tons shipped to 166 countries. The data represents a 9% drop in revenue and an 11% increase in volume compared to the first half of 2022. Foreign agro sales were responsible for 36% of total exports by Minas in the period.

The reduction in revenues from the foreign trade of agro in Minas is justified, especially, by the devaluation of coffee in the international market, which is the main product of the state export basket in the agricultural sector. In addition to the reduction in the price of the commodity, the volume traded was also 22% lower than the first six months of last year.

Isolated, the month of June 2023 reached the value of US$ 1.2 billion, with 1.4 million tons shipped outside the country. Comparing these numbers with the same period of the previous year, there was a 16% decrease in value and a 5% increase in the amount exported.

For the undersecretary for Agricultural Policy and Economics of the State Secretariat for Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Seapa), Caio César Coimbra, the outlook for the coming months is one of recovery. “With the coffee harvest coming to an end in August, the expectation is for an increase in shipments of the product in the second half. As it is the flagship of the Minas Gerais agricultural trade balance, this will reflect in positive results for the state economy”, he analyzes.

The projection is that 27.8 million bags of coffee will be produced in the 2023 harvest. The number is 27% higher than that obtained last year, when producers suffered crop losses due to weather difficulties.

In the first six months of 2023, 642 different agricultural products from Minas Gerais were traded internationally, with an average price of US$ 920.36 per ton. The main destination for shipments was China (36%), followed by the USA (8%), Germany (6%), Italy (4%) and Japan (4%).

Coffee

Leader of Minas Gerais agricultural sector exports, coffee has played a crucial role in the state's total agribusiness revenue with foreign trade, representing 36% of the total value. In the first half of this year, the product earned US$ 2.6 billion, with shipments corresponding to 11 million bags. There were 26% drops in price and 23% in volume shipped outside Brazil.

Among the buyers of the commodity, the following stand out: United States (US$ 473 million), Germany (US$ 399 million), Italy (US$ 232 million), Belgium (US$ 169 million) and Japan (US$ 166 million)

Soy Complex

The soy complex, which includes grains, bran and oil, remains one of the main products in the agribusiness export catalog in Minas Gerais, reaching revenues of US$ 2.3 billion with the sale of 4.3 million tons. The sector recorded growth of 12.6% in quantity, while the value remained stable, with a small reduction of 0.4%.

Soy in grains, at the forefront of the segment, maintains a good pace of output, driven by purchases from China (79%), Thailand (5%), Iran (5%), Argentina (5%), Taiwan ( 4%) and Vietnam (2%).

The increase in the exported volume of soybeans is due to the record harvest of the grain in the state and the heated demand for the product abroad.

Meat

The meat sector registered foreign sales of US$ 658 million and 203 thousand tons, representing 9% of foreign agribusiness trade in Minas Gerais. Beef remains in a context of slowdown in demand in the Chinese market, which justifies the 19% drop in value and 0.2% in volume.

On the other hand, chicken meat, responsible for 31% of the segment's sales in the first half of 2023, continue to rise, accounting for US$ 203 million and 101 thousand tons. The appreciation, in comparison with the first six months of 2022, was 20% in revenue and 17% in the quantity sold. Undersecretary Caio Coimbra assesses that the increased demand for production in Minas is due, in large part, to the avian flu having affected countries that are historically large producers of poultry.

Pork also had a positive performance, with a sum of US$ 21 million and 9.8 thousand tons. The numbers show increases of 18% in sales and 8% in volume compared to last year.

Sugar and Alcohol Complex

The sugar and alcohol complex represented 9% of foreign trade in agribusiness in Minas Gerais in the time frame. Sugar, alcohol and other sugars brought the state US$ 606 million. The positive result was driven mainly by sugar, which comprised 90% of the sector's international sales, reaching the milestone of US$ 549 million. The performance reflects the low world offer.

Forest Products

Foreign trade in forestry products (pulp, wood, paper and rubber) totaled US$ 593 million and 835 thousand tons, with a 49% boost in revenue and 17% in volume. The sector advances at an accelerated pace, obtaining consecutive records, due to the performance of cellulose, in particular.

The main importers of forest products from Minas Gerais in the first half were: China (US$ 261 million), United States (US$ 72 million), Netherlands (US$ 63 million), Italy (US$ 51 million), and Indonesia ($33 million).

Source: Noticias Agrícolas