Brazil: July sees highest rice exports, but deficit widens

(By Planeta Arroz, with Abiarroz) Rice exports (husk base) had the best result of 2024 in July. Last month, shipments reached 175 thousand tons, with revenue of US$ 70.1 million. This is what the Brazilian Rice Industry Association (Abiarroz) reports, based on data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (MDIC). Sales, however, did not exceed the cereal's landings in Brazil, since total imports in the month reached 205.8 thousand tons. The deficit in the Brazilian trade balance already reaches 293,538 tons. From January to July, the country received 1.024 million tons and shipped 731.4 thousand. Shipments so far are 26.5% lower than between January and July 2023. Despite having the best performance of the year, external rice sales in July were slightly lower than those made in the same month of 2023. In volume, the decline was 2.7% and in revenue, 8.9%, points out Abiarroz. Considering the total exports of 2024, there was a drop of 16% in value and 26.5% ...