New Markets Drive 10.4% Growth in Brazilian Exports

Diversification across export destinations supported the growth of Brazilian exports in 2026. From January through September, sales to India rose 85.5%, while exports to Europe increased 20.2%, Oceania 20.8%, Central America and the Caribbean 14.9%, and Africa 9.7%. Over the same period, shipments to the United States fell 6.5% and exports to Argentina declined 18.5%. The performance helped lift Brazilian exports to $284.65 billion year to date, up 10.4% from 2025, according to data released by the Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex) of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC).

The result reinforces the importance of seeking new trading partners to reduce Brazil’s exposure to fluctuations in traditional markets. “The numbers show that Brazilian exporters are gaining more ground around the world. We are growing in India, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central America. Opening and diversifying markets is the best way to protect Brazil from fluctuations in specific trading partners, and that is what ApexBrasil has been working on,” said ApexBrasil President Laudemir Müller.

Brazil’s trade balance has accumulated a surplus of $62.4 billion this year. Total trade, which combines exports and imports, reached $506.9 billion, up 8% from the same period last year.

India Leads Growth in Brazilian Exports in 2026

India posted the largest proportional increase among Brazil’s main export destinations. Brazilian exports to the Asian country rose from $4.44 billion to $8.23 billion between January and September, an increase of $3.8 billion. As a result, India is already among the markets making the largest contributions to the growth of Brazilian exports this year.

“The increase of more than 85% in sales to India is no coincidence. It is a market of 1.4 billion people that sees Brazil as a reliable partner,” Müller said.

Elsewhere in Asia, China remains the leading destination for Brazilian exports. Sales to the country totaled $84.68 billion year to date, up 12%. Japan (+14.2%), Singapore (+12.1%) and Bangladesh (+25.8%) also increased their purchases of Brazilian products.

Europe, Africa and the Americas Gain Share

In Europe, growth was spread across several countries. The Netherlands increased purchases by 16.6%, Italy by 31.7%, Turkey by 37.3%, Poland by 73.5% and Germany by 15.8%. Copper ores, soybeans, gold, oil and beef were among the products driving the increase across the continent.

In Africa, Egypt stood out with growth of 25.2%, while South Africa increased purchases by 28%. Soybeans, iron ore, corn and live animals led the gains in the region. In Central America and the Caribbean, Panama increased purchases by 47.9%, while the Dominican Republic, Honduras and El Salvador also recorded significant growth. In the Middle East, exports rose to Saudi Arabia (+13.8%), Jordan (+54.9%) and the United Arab Emirates (+7.4%).

Brazilian Exports to the U.S. Rebound in September

Although year-to-date sales to the United States remain lower, September brought a recovery. Brazilian exports to the U.S. market totaled $3.52 billion during the month, up 31.9% from September 2025. Beef, aircraft and coffee were the main drivers of the result.

“The recovery in sales to the United States in September shows not only the resilience of Brazilian companies, but also that American companies remain interested in doing business with Brazilian companies despite the tariff increases imposed by the current U.S. administration,” the ApexBrasil president said.

Overall, Brazilian exports in 2026 reached $34.42 billion in September alone, 12.9% more than in the same month a year earlier, generating a trade surplus of $7.74 billion. Extractive industries (+39.8%), manufacturing (+5.3%) and agriculture (+4.8%) all recorded growth during the month.

Animal Proteins and Manufactured Goods Post Gains

Brazil’s export basket also expanded during the year. In manufacturing, beef exports rose 14.1%, an increase of $1.6 billion. Poultry exports grew 20.7%, soybean meal 21.3% and fuel oils 32.6%. In September, exports of aircraft and parts increased 41.9%, while pulp shipments rose 27.4%.

In agriculture, soybeans (+14.9%), cotton (+15%), fruit (+20.9%) and live animals (+71.7%) stood out in the year-to-date results. Crude oil also played an important role in the growth of Brazilian exports in 2026, with sales up 28.6% for the year.

Source: Notícias Agrícolas

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