Brazil Records Strong Trade Surplus in Early January, Exports Up 18%

Robust Start to 2026 Trade Year

Brazil has reported a substantial trade surplus of $3.8 billion in the first three weeks of January 2026, signaling a strong start to the year for the nation's foreign trade. Preliminary government data, released on Monday, January 19, by the Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex) of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), indicates a significant increase in export activity.

Total exports for the period amounted to $14.98 billion, while imports reached $11.2 billion. The average daily exports surged by 18% when compared to the same period in January 2025, climbing from $1.15 billion to $1.36 billion. Conversely, imports experienced a 2.6% decrease on a daily average over the same comparative period.

Key Trade Figures Highlight Growth

The impressive trade surplus underscores a dynamic period for Brazil's international commerce. The overall daily trade flow for the first three weeks of January averaged $2.3 billion, marking an 8.2% increase compared to January 2025. This robust performance contributes to an average daily trade balance surplus of $341.51 million.

The figures demonstrate a healthy expansion in export volumes and values, outpacing import trends and contributing positively to the national economy. This early-year momentum sets a promising tone for Brazil's trade balance throughout 2026.

Sectoral Contributions to Export Surge

Several key sectors contributed to the notable rise in Brazil's exports. Data shows significant growth across major industries:

• The extractive sector saw its average daily exports increase by 32.6%, adding $108.39 million.
• Agricultural exports also performed strongly, rising by 16.6%, or $28.54 million daily.
• Shipments of manufactured goods experienced a growth of 10.9%, translating to an additional $69.99 million in daily exports.

These sectoral gains highlight a broad-based recovery and expansion in Brazil's productive capacity and international market reach. The diversified growth across these sectors indicates resilience and adaptability in the global trade landscape.

Outlook for Brazil's Trade Balance

The strong performance in early January 2026 positions Brazil favorably for its annual trade targets. The MDIC had previously projected a trade surplus between $70 billion and $90 billion for the entirety of 2026, following a $68.3 billion surplus in 2025 that exceeded government forecasts. The current trajectory suggests that Brazil is well on its way to achieving, and potentially surpassing, these ambitious goals, driven by sustained export growth and a managed import environment.