Brazil trade surplus tops forecasts on beef, soy exports

Brazil posted a higher-than-expected trade surplus in September, according to official data on Monday, as the government raised its forecast for the full-year positive balance. Latin America’s largest economy recorded a trade surplus of $2.99 billion in September, beating the $2.65 billion. The Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services raised its 2025 trade surplus forecast to $60.9 billion from $50.4 billion, citing a drop in projected imports, to $284 billion from $291.5 billion. At the same time, 2025 expected exports were revised up slightly, to $344.9 billion from $341.9 billion. In September, the trade balance continued to reflect trends seen throughout the year, with imports growing amid a still-resilient economy, despite high interest rates aimed at curbing inflation. Imports surged 17.7% last month from a year earlier to $27.5 billion, while exports rose 7.2% to $30.5 billion, driven by higher shipments of crude oil, iron ore, soybeans, corn, coffee and beef. ...