The sum of exports and imports was US$ 41 billion in the period.

Santa Catarina broke a record in foreign trade in 2022. In terms of exports, the amount was US$ 12 billion, an increase of 16.2% compared to 2021. compared to the previous year, according to an analysis by the FIESC Observatory, released last Wednesday, January 18th.

“The export record is a reflection of a combination of factors. Among them, the international appreciation of our products, the diversification of commercial partners, the expansion of sales of technology-intensive items with high added value and the level of competitiveness of the Santa Catarina industry”, highlighted the president of FIESC, Mario Cezar de Aguiar .

The main product exported in the year was poultry meat (US$ 1.9 billion), followed by pork (US$ 1.3 billion), electric motors (US$ 711.9 million), soybeans (US$ 643, 7m) and engine parts ($545.7m). In the list of items that had the biggest increase in amount compared to 2021, poultry meat also leads, with US$ 335.6 million. The second highest increase in 2022 was with electric motors, with foreign sales reaching US$ 228.3 million more than the previous year and kraft paper, with US$ 120.8 million.

Regarding the main destinations for exports from Santa Catarina, the United States continues to be the main consumer of products from the state (US$ 2.1 billion), followed by China (US$ 1.6 billion), Argentina (US$ 820.1 billion ) and Chile ($605.1m).

Imports

Aguiar recalls that, although the state has a negative trade balance, due to the high volume of international purchases, imports are positive for Santa Catarina. They move the ports and the economy of the state, through a wide range of demanded services, creating many jobs, in addition to generating taxes.

Refined copper was the product that stood out the most in international purchases from Santa Catarina (US$ 1.2 billion), followed by semiconductors (US$ 855.4 million), nitrogen fertilizers (US$ 827.9 million), iron coating flat laminates (US$745.9m) and ethylene polymers (US$605.7m). “Among the main trading partners of the state, China continues to occupy the lead, with an amount of US$ 11.5 billion traded in 2022, followed by Chile (US$ 1.9 billion), the United States (US$ 1.8 billion ), Argentina (US$ 1.8 billion) and Germany (US$ 1.1 billion)”, explained FIESC Observatory economist Camila Morais.

Source: www.engeplus.com.br