Brazil posts record-breaking trade performance in first quarter of 2026
Strong March performance drives growth in trade turnover and maintains solid surplus
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Photo source: mirsad sarajlic / iStock
Brazil has reported record trade figures for the first quarter of 2026, with growth in exports, imports and overall trade turnover, according to official data released by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services.
In March alone, exports reached US$31.6 billion, while imports totalled US$25.2 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of US$6.4 billion. Total trade turnover for the month stood at US$56.8 billion.
For the January–March period, exports amounted to US$82.3 billion and imports to US$68.2 billion. This produced a cumulative surplus of US$14.2 billion and total trade turnover of US$150.5 billion, reflecting overall expansion in external trade activity.
Compared with March 2025, exports increased by 10 per cent, while imports rose by 20.1 per cent. Trade turnover for the month grew by 14.3 per cent year on year. Over the first quarter, exports expanded by 7.1 per cent and imports by 1.3 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.
Sectoral data indicate that export growth in March was driven by extractive industries, which rose sharply, alongside more moderate increases in agriculture and manufacturing. Over the quarter, extractive industries continued to lead export expansion, supported by gains in both agricultural and industrial goods.
On the import side, manufactured goods recorded the strongest growth in March.
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