MNI DATA: Brazil Trade Slides Jan-Nov

     BRASILIA(MNI) - Brazilian's total trade declined by almost 5% in the first

11 months of the year compared to the same period of 2018, fuelling a blow-out

in its current account deficit, Economy Ministry data show.

     Total Jan-Nov trade fell to $370.6 billion, from $388.2 billion, with

exports declining by 6.8% drop and imports falling 2.1%.

     Political and economic crises elsewhere in Latin America, and a squeeze on

world trade as the U.S. faces off in a dispute with China, are now affecting

Brazil, said economist Jose Luis Oreiro, a professor at the University of

Brasilia, who noted that the weak Brazilian real, which ended November at 4.24

to the dollar from 3.8 at the beginning of 2019, had also sapped demand for

imports.

     Business fell with eight of the top ten Brazilian trading partners. Trade

only increased with the United States, by 4.3%, and with Japan, which saw an

increase of 7.2%. Increased commerce with the U.S. was driven by a 5.9% rise in

imports from the world's biggest economy, while Brazil boosted exports to Japan

by 18%.

     China remains Brazil's largest trading partner, but Insper University

recently said that the South American nation's exports to the Asian giant will

be hit as Beijing buys more U.S. farm products under a deal with Washington.

     Brazil's current account deficit could jump to 3% of GDP this, year, the

National Confederation of Industry said this week.

--MNI London Bureau; +44 203 865 3829; email: jason.webb@marketnews.com

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