Brazilian Exports to U.S. Rise in August but Post Significant Year-to-Date Decline

Brazilian exports to the United States totaled $24.1 billion from January through August 2026, down 9.7% from the same period last year. The decline represents about $2.6 billion in lost sales and brought Brazilian exports to the U.S. market to their lowest level for the period since 2023. The data come from the latest edition of the Brazil-U.S. Trade Monitor, prepared by Amcham Brasil based on Comex Stat data.

“Bilateral trade remains on a downward trajectory in 2026, with both exports and imports declining. Brazil and the United States traded about $5.2 billion less this year, with losses for both economies. This environment reinforces the importance of seeking solutions that reduce barriers and help strengthen bilateral trade,” said Abrão Neto, president of Amcham Brasil.

In August, Brazilian exports to the United States rose 12.1% in value compared with the same month in 2025. The increase, however, was accompanied by a 17.3% decline in export volumes, which fell to their lowest level for an August since 2021. The increase in value was supported by higher average prices, although products including beef, semi-finished iron or steel products, aircraft and coffee also recorded significant gains in volume.

Brazil’s containerized exports to the United States felt the impact of the new tariffs, falling 20.9% compared with the first seven months of 2025. The chart below provides a longer-term view based on Datamar data:

Containerized Exports to the United States | Jan 2023 – Jul 2026 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

The comparison is against a base that had already been affected by additional tariffs of 40% and 50%, implemented by the United States beginning in August last year. Despite the increase in export value in August this year, products currently subject to the highest additional tariffs, ranging from 25% to 37.5%, recorded a 10.5% decline.

From January through August, exports of products subject to additional tariffs of 25% to 37.5% fell even more sharply, declining 29.1% from $5.1 billion to $3.6 billion. Considering all goods subject to additional tariffs, exports fell 11.4%, while products not subject to additional tariffs declined 8.3%.

Among the 10 leading products subject to tariffs of 25% to 37.5%, nine recorded declines in exports to the U.S. market during the year-to-date period. Some of the steepest drops were recorded in coniferous wood (-55.3%), unmanufactured tobacco (-39.9%), beef tallow (-39.4%) and worked granite (-37.4%).

On the import side, August marked the second consecutive month of growth following seven months of declines. Brazilian purchases of U.S. products rose 1.1% during the month. Year to date, however, imports remain lower.

Exports to the United States Fall Across All Three Major Sectors

Amcham Brasil’s Trade Monitor shows that the year-to-date decline in Brazilian sales to the United States extends across all three major sectors of the economy, in contrast with the performance of Brazilian exports to other markets, which recorded growth in all three.

From January through August, manufacturing exports to the United States fell 4.9%, while the sector’s sales to the rest of the world grew 6.6%. In the extractive industry, exports to the United States declined 28.9%, while shipments to other markets rose 19.6%. In agriculture and livestock, exports to the United States fell 26.7%, while sales to the rest of the world increased 9.5%.

In manufacturing, which accounts for 83.3% of Brazilian exports to the United States, the 4.9% decline represents the first contraction in sales to the U.S. market since 2020. Despite the decrease, the United States remains the leading destination for Brazilian manufactured exports, accounting for 15.5% of the total.

Among the 10 leading products exported to the United States year to date, six recorded declines. For four of them, the drop in the U.S. market contrasted with growth in sales to the rest of the world: crude oil (-31.5% to the United States), semi-finished iron or steel products (-4.3%), pig iron (-8.1%) and pulp (-1.9%).

Key Figures | Jan.-Aug. 2026

Brazil → United States exports: $24.1 billion | -9.7%
United States → Brazil imports: $27.3 billion | -8.6%
Brazilian trade deficit: $3.2 billion
Goods not subject to additional tariffs: $13.1 billion | -8.3%
Goods subject to additional tariffs: $11.0 billion | -11.4%
Products subject to additional tariffs of 25%-37.5%: $3.6 billion | -29.1%

The Trade Monitor’s analysis takes into account the tariff structure in effect following the measures that entered into force on July 22 and July 24, related to the Section 301 investigations concerning Brazil and forced labor, as well as the additional tariffs imposed under Section 232.

Source: AMCHAM Brasil

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