Brazil Expands Exports of Strategic Minerals to China

Brazilian copper exports to China reached a historic level in the first quarter of 2025. According to official data released this Wednesday (April 16), the Asian country imported US$331 million worth of Brazilian copper between January and March—a 180% increase compared to the same period in 2024. China accounted for 35% of total copper exports, solidifying its position as the main destination for the product.

The surge in copper sales comes amid rising demand for raw materials linked to the renewable energy industry. Other materials associated with the sector also performed strongly during the quarter:

• Manganese exports rose 310%
• Ferronickel exports increased 253%
• Refined copper and copper alloy sales grew 56%
• Niobium products saw a 35% increase
• Ferroniobium exports rose 13%

Brazil also significantly increased exports of rare earth metal compounds, such as yttrium and scandium. A total of 419 tons were shipped in the first quarter — seven times more than the total exported in 2024.

On Tuesday (April 15), U.S. President Donald Trump ordered an investigation into possibly imposing new tariffs on all critical mineral imports from China. This move could further strengthen Brazil and China’s partnership in the minerals sector.

In the manufactured goods category, Brazilian exports of faucets and valves to China increased nearly 13-fold, reaching US$35 million. Exports of mechanical devices saw an even more dramatic rise, growing nearly 100 times compared to Q1 of the previous year, totaling US$23 million.

On the imports side, Brazil’s purchase of a Chinese oil platform in February temporarily reshaped the country’s import profile from China, placing this item at the top of the list.

Imports of Chinese solar panels also rose by 13% in the quarter, reaching the highest recorded volume. Another standout was a 625% increase in imports of phosphorus- and nitrogen-based fertilizers, totaling 265,000 tons — a quarterly record.

Despite the strong performance in strategic sectors, Brazil’s total exports to China fell 13.4% in the first quarter, amounting to US$19.8 billion—the first decline for this period since 2015.

On the other hand, imports from China grew 35%, reaching US$19 billion, setting a quarterly record. As a result, after a US$3.2 billion trade deficit in the first two months of 2025, Brazil reversed the situation and closed the quarter with a US$700 million trade surplus with China.

Source: MSN

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