Argentina's trade closed in February with the second consecutive surplus of more than 1.000 billion dollars, according to a report by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (Indec). That month, the figure reached XNUMX billion dollars. 1.062 million, due to the fact that income was recorded for exports for 4.775 million, while the imports totaled 3.713 billion.
Thus, with its renewed presence, the commercial exchange (exports plus imports) reached a value of 8.488 million, with an increase of 12,1 percent compared to the same month of the previous year.
The Exports rose by 9,1 percent in February compared to the same month in 2020 (397 million), mainly due to a 14,2 percent increase in prices, while quantities decreased by 4,5 percent.
By category, the Exports of manufactured goods of agricultural origin (MOA) increased by 41,9 percent, manufactures of industrial origin (MOI) showed a slight decrease of 0,2 percent, while fuels and energy and primary products decreased 24,8 percent and 10,5, respectively.
For their part, even with the import restrictions reported by companies and the delays in the approval of the DJAI, imports increased 16,4 percent compared to the same month of the previous year (522 million), mainly due to a 19 percent increase in quantities since prices decreased 2,2 percent; and, in seasonally adjusted and trend-cycle terms, imports grew 1,5 percent and 2,8 percent, in each case, compared to January 2021.
All economic uses registered positive variations, except fuels and lubricants, which decreased by 31,1 percent. Capital goods increased by 42,4 percent; intermediate goods, by 16,1 percent; parts and accessories for capital goods, by 19,8 percent; consumer goods, by 1,8 percent; and passenger motor vehicles, by 28,1 percent.
According to INDEC, the trade balance was 1.062 billion dollars, 125 million less than the same month in 2020, due to the fact that the rise in imports - driven by an increase in quantities - exceeded the growth of exports, whose rise was mainly due to the increase in prices.
Destinations
In February, the main destinations for Argentine exports were Brazil, Vietnam, United States, China, India, Chile, Netherlands, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Iran , which together accounted for 57,8% of total foreign sales.
The main countries of origin of imports were China, Brazil, the United States, Germany, Thailand, Italy, Vietnam, India, Japan and Bolivia, which accounted for 71,8 percent of total purchases abroad.
In the case of Brazil, Argentina's main trading partner, exports totaled 771 million, a drop of 6,8%, while imports totaled 852 million, an increase of 23,1%.
For its part, China bought products worth 253 million, with an increase of 29,1 percent, and sold products worth 865 million to Argentina, which meant an increase of 49,1 percent, so the balance was -612 million.
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