Brazil imports fall sharply in February, show Datamar data

Newly released data from Datamar’s Business Intelligence team indicate that Brazilian containerized imports started 2026 on a downward trend. In the cumulative January-February period, volume fell 4% compared with the same period of 2025. Looking only at February 2026 versus February of the previous year, the decline was even sharper, reaching 6.6%.

An analysis by commodity type points to a slowdown concentrated in the industrial segment. Plastics, the main imported product in the period, posted a slight year-on-year decline of 1.1%. Categories directly linked to productive activity showed steeper contractions, such as reactors, boilers and machinery, down 13.4%, and electrical equipment, which recorded a sharp 26% drop.

By contrast, vehicles and auto parts rose 17.9%, indicating that part of the demand for durable consumer goods remains resilient even in a context of weaker industrial momentum.

From a geographic standpoint, the data show a significant shift in the origin of Brazilian imports. China remained the leading supplier, with shipments to Brazil up 2.7%, reinforcing its role as the main source of goods, especially consumer products and light manufactured items. By contrast, Western countries posted sharp declines: the United States fell 31.6% and Germany 21.1%, while India recorded a slight drop of 0.8%.

This movement suggests a reshaping of Brazil’s import basket, with traditional Western suppliers losing share and greater dependence on Asian products. At the same time, it points to a slowdown in the industrial component of the Brazilian economy, reflected in lower imports of capital goods and productive inputs.

On the other hand, domestic consumption remains relatively firm, sustaining demand for finished goods, much of it supplied by Asia. This mismatch between industry and consumption helps explain the recent behavior of containerized imports.

The historical series of Brazilian imports since January 2023, based on DataLiner data, reinforces the trend of weakening momentum through early 2026 after a period of greater stability.

See below for the historical trend of Brazilian containerized imports since January 2023. The chart was prepared using DataLiner data:

Brazilian Containerized Imports | Jan 2023 to Feb 2026 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Brazil’s containerized exports also fell 4.8% in the first two months of the year compared with the first two months of 2025. Looking only at February, the decline was much smaller, at 0.3% versus February 2025.

Meat was Brazil’s top exported commodity in the cumulative first two months of 2026, with volume 8.6% higher than in the same period last year, followed by wood, with volume down 11.4%, and cotton, whose shipments fell 6%. One notable decline was in coffee, tea and mate shipments, down 29.6%.

Among the main destinations for Brazilian exports, China remained the top partner, with volume 8.3% higher than in the same period last year, followed by the United States, which posted a 31.1% drop in shipments, and Mexico, with volume down 1.5%.

Brazilian Containerized Exports | Jan 2023 to Feb 2026 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

The behavior of Brazil’s containerized exports at the start of 2026 suggests a combination of factors. On one hand, there are signs of slowdown in important segments of the export basket, especially in specific agricultural products and industrial supply chains. On the other, Chinese demand remains the main supporting factor, preventing a steeper decline in total volume.

In addition, the difference between the cumulative two-month result and the more stable February performance may indicate a trend toward stabilization over the course of the quarter after a weaker start to the year. Even so, the outlook points to a more selective foreign trade environment, with greater concentration in Asian markets and greater sensitivity to shifts in global demand.

Outlook for 2026

For the rest of 2026, the outlook for Brazil’s containerized exports is likely to be shaped by opposing forces. On one hand, the United States’ decision to reduce tariffs on Brazilian products starting Feb. 24 opens room for a gradual recovery in shipments to the U.S. market, especially in industrial and higher value-added segments.

On the other hand, the start of the conflict involving Iran on Feb. 28 adds a significant element of uncertainty to global trade, with potential impacts on logistics costs, marine insurance and energy prices. This environment tends to favor commodity exporters, but it may put pressure on industrial supply chains that are more sensitive to costs.

The expectation, therefore, is for a volatile year, with the possibility of a partial recovery in exports to the United States over the coming months, while Asian demand, especially from China, should remain the main pillar of support, albeit under the influence of swings in the international geopolitical environment.