The deficit in Brazil’s external accounts totaled US$ 8.8 billion in February, compared to a US$ 3.9 billion deficit in the same month last year. This data was released in the External Sector Statistics bulletin by the Central Bank. The figures refer to the difference between exported and imported goods, contracted services, expenses of Brazilians abroad, and the remittance of profits to other countries. According to the Central Bank, in the year-over-year comparison, the trade balance surplus – exports minus imports – fell by US$ 5.4 billion, while the services deficit remained stable, and the primary income deficit decreased by US$ 526 million.
Furthermore, the current account deficit for the 12 months ending in February 2025 amounted to US$ 70.2 billion, equivalent to 3.28% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), compared to US$ 65.3 billion, around 3.03% of GDP in January. Compared to February 2024, the result showed a deficit of US$ 23.9 billion (1.07% of GDP).
In February 2025, the trade balance of goods registered a deficit of US$ 979 million, compared to a US$ 4.4 billion surplus in February 2024. Goods exports totaled US$ 23.2 billion, and goods imports reached US$ 24.1 billion, influenced by the import of a $2.7 billion oil platform. In comparison to February 2024, exports decreased by 1.8%, while imports increased by 25.7%,” the Central Bank stated.
Trade Surplus Drops 65.1% in January
Regarding direct investments in the country (IDP), the Central Bank reported net inflows of US$ 9.3 billion in February 2025, compared to US$ 5.3 billion in February 2024. The BC data shows net inflow of US$ 5.6 billion in equity participation and US$ 3.7 billion in intra-company operations. Over the 12-month period, IDP totaled US$ 72.5 billion (3.38% of GDP) in February 2025, compared to US$ 68.5 billion (3.18% of GDP) in January 2025 and US$ 64.6 billion (2.89% of GDP) in February 2024.
Reserves
International reserves amounted to US$ 332.5 billion in February 2025, a $4.2 billion increase from January 2025. The increase in reserves was influenced by price variations amounting to US$ 1.9 billion, parities by $521 million, disbursements from international organizations by $604 million, and interest income by $661 million.
*With information from Agência Brasil
Published by Fernando Dias