Brazil’s industrial output increased a seasonally adjusted 0.5% from February although it fell 2.1% compared with March 2010, the Brazilian Census Bureau, or IBGE, said Tuesday.
European Union beef prices would be cut by more than 8% and meat production across the EU would fall in value by more than €3bn if a trade deal were agreed with Mercosur, according to preliminary assessments from an agriculture advisory body to the European Commission.
A day before Tuesday’s round of talks between Argentina’s organized labour (CGT) and the Industrial Union (UIA) to consider the possibility of a ‘social pact’ to help contain prices (inflation), the government expressed support for a law sponsored by unions that requires companies to distribute 10% of profits to workers.
Rising international food prices could trigger an acceleration of inflation in several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean this year, highlighting the need for policies to protect the urban poor, according to a new study from the Inter American Development Ban (IDB).
Rice production is expected to rise to 480 million tons in 2011, which is 3% higher than a year earlier, due to improved weather conditions, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation said on Monday.
The trade surplus rose to 1.86 billion USD last month from 1.55 billion in March, the ministry said. The figure compares with a 1.28 billion surplus in April last year. In the first four months of 2011 Brazil’s trade surplus totalled 5.03 billion USD which is up 132% over the same period a year ago.
The Argentine economy is poised to expand by 6.5% or more this year, and unemployment may hover at the lowest level in two decades, the central bank said.
Germany’s Bundesbank new hawkish president Jens Weidmann said private investors should help cover costs of the Euro zone crisis. Mr Weidmann promised a continued “stability culture” at the German central bank after taking over from outgoing president Axel Weber.
Bilateral negotiations for a trade agreement between Mercosur and European Union delegates are scheduled to resume Tuesday in Asunción, Paraguay.
European farmers insisted Monday before the European Parliament on the “catastrophic impact” that a trade agreement with Mercosur could have for the EU agriculture.