Brazil’s First Half Trade Surplus Climbs 40% to $42.3 Billion

Brazil’s foreign trade accounts delivered a much stronger first half of 2026, with the country recording a surplus of US$42.357 billion between January and June, according to figures released on Friday, July 3.

The result was 40.3% higher than the US$30.187 billion surplus posted in the first six months of 2025, underscoring the continued weight of export sectors in Brazil’s external accounts.

The data came from Secex, the Foreign Trade Secretariat, which sits within Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, known locally as MDIC. The trade balance measures the difference between what the country sells abroad and what it buys from the rest of the world.

Exports widened Brazil’s trade cushion

Brazil exported US$184.773 billion in goods during the first half of the year. That represented an 11.5% increase compared with the equivalent period in 2025.

Imports also rose, but at a slower pace. Purchases from abroad reached US$142.415 billion, up 5.1% from a year earlier. The gap between those two movements explains the larger surplus, as export revenues expanded more quickly than the country’s import bill.

For businesses watching Brazil, the headline number matters for several reasons. A stronger trade surplus can support foreign exchange flows into the country and gives a read on demand for Brazilian commodities, industrial goods and agricultural products. It also offers a snapshot of how domestic companies are positioned in global supply chains.

The first half numbers suggest that, at least through June, Brazil’s export machine continued to find buyers abroad across a broad set of sectors rather than relying on a single area of activity.

Gains across export sectors

Secex reported export growth in all three major categories tracked in the release.

Agriculture and livestock exports reached US$42.654 billion, an increase of 9.2% compared with the first half of 2025. The category remains one of Brazil’s most visible links to global markets, reflecting the country’s large role in food and agricultural supply chains.

The strongest percentage increase came from extractive industries, where exports climbed 24.2% to US$46.427 billion. This segment includes activities tied to natural resources, a core part of Brazil’s trade profile.

Manufacturing, the largest of the three export categories by value in the data, also advanced. Shipments from the manufacturing industry totaled US$94.701 billion, up 7.1% from the previous year’s first half.

The spread of growth is notable. Agriculture, mining-related activity and manufacturing all contributed to the higher export total, giving the surplus a broader base than would be the case if one category alone had driven the increase.

On the import side, the picture was more mixed. Agricultural imports fell 16.3% to US$2.709 billion. Imports linked to extractive industries declined 1.3%, reaching US$5.898 billion.

Manufacturing imports, however, moved in the opposite direction. They rose 5.9% to US$132.862 billion, by far the largest import category. That increase helped lift total imports for the period, although not enough to keep pace with export growth.

The combination points to an economy still buying substantial volumes of manufactured goods from abroad, while also benefiting from stronger sales of its own products overseas.

What the numbers mean for business with Brazil

Brazil’s first half trade performance reinforces the country’s importance as both a supplier and a market. Exporters, logistics companies, investors and industrial groups will be watching whether the second half preserves the same momentum, particularly in sectors where global prices, exchange rates and demand can shift quickly.

For international companies, the figures also highlight the need to understand Brazil sector by sector. The trade story is not just about commodities, nor is it only about manufacturing. It is a mix of agriculture, natural resources, industrial output and import demand, each with different risks and opportunities.

Brazil Business Club helps investors, founders and corporate teams make sense of that landscape. If you are considering investing in Brazil, entering the market, sourcing from Brazilian suppliers or building partnerships with local companies, connect with the club to access practical insight and the right business network.