Brazil posted a trade surplus of 14.9 billion U.S. dollars in the first 11 months of 2010, down 35.4 percent from the same period last year, the Development, Trade and Industry Ministry announced on Wednesday.

The sharp fall was attributed to a rise in the imports, which were boosted by the good conditions of the Brazilian economy in 2010. Imports totaled 166 billion U.S. dollars from January to November, up 43.9 percent from the same period in 2009. Exports also increased, but at a lower pace, totaling 180.9 billion dollars, up 30.7 percent year on year.

In November, Brazil registered a trade surplus of 312 million dollars, down 83.2 percent from October and 48.9 percent from the same period last year. According to the ministry, the figures were the lowest registered since January, when Brazil had a trade deficit of 177 million dollars.

The low figures can also be attributed to the imports, which reached 17.3 billion dollars last month, up 5.1 percent from October and 44.3 percent year on year. Exports totaled 17.6 billion dollars, down 3.8 percent from October and up 39.8 percent from November 2009.

People's Daily