MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil's surplus up but volume of trade down in November

Brazil's trade surplus widened in November as imports fell by more than exports, the trade ministry said on Monday.

Brazil posted a trade surplus of 1.61 billion US dollars in November after a 1.2 billion October surplus, government data showed, bringing to 22.43 billion the surplus for the year to date. Brazil's trade surplus has widened in six of this year's months and narrowed in five. Exports fell to 14.75 billion in November from 18.5 billion in October while imports eased to 13.14 billion from 17.31 billion US dollars. Investors are closely watching Brazil's trade balance for signs that sagging global commodity prices could sharply reduce exports. Brazil's trade balance is expected to close the year at a surplus of 23.6 billion, according to the latest central bank survey, having fallen in 2007 for the first time in seven years to 40.04 billion US dollars.