DataLiner: February container data indicate economic stagnation

DataLiner data regarding container handling in Brazilian ports indicate that both imports and exports fell in February compared to the same month of 2021. As exports fell 5.27% in the second month of the year compared to 2021, imports registered an even greater drop: – 14.71%. In the first two months of 2022, the decrease in imports compared to the first two months of 2021 was slightly lower: -11.04%.

Despite this, imported volumes are on par with 2020 levels and somewhat higher than 2019 levels. Imports that had been postponed in 2020 owing to lockdowns induced by the covid-19 epidemic began to recover in early 2021.

Check the chart below for a comparison of the first two months of the year:

Volume imported in January and February | 2019 to 2022 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

A more detailed analysis of the data points out that imports of plastic products dropped 37.3% among the imported cargo, and imports of textile products decreased 19.4%in the first two months of 2022 compared to the previous year. On the other hand, tobacco imports grew by 97.10% and chemical products by 8.7% in the same comparison.

Exports 

Regarding exports via containers, the total amount for the first two months of 2022 is higher than the volume registered in the same period in the previous three years. Compared to January and February 2021, the growth was 1.88%.

See below the January – February comparison for exports container data:

Volume exported in January and February | 2019 to 2022 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

The main cargo exported via container by Brazil, animal protein, registered a growth of 13.8% in the first two months of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. Another highlight was paper and cellulose exports, which increased by 13.10%. in the same comparison. On the other hand, sugar exports fell 33.9%, with the commodity being more demanded by the domestic market in the form of ethanol.

Tendencies

Imports are expected to remain stagnant in the next months, despite the dollar-real exchange rate being more favourable for purchases abroad. The reason behind that is that, with covid-19 immunization and the pandemic under control in the country, individuals are expected to spend more on travel and tours and less on shopping.

On the other hand, logistical bottlenecks should continue to impact foreign trade, especially with China’s zero Covid policy, which closes factories and ports and has repercussions around the world.

Sharing is caring!