The role of commodities for the Brazilian exports performance

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the prices and quantum of commodities exports in order to understand the Brazilian export performance in the last two decades. For this, we investigate the behavior of Brazilian trade balance; exports by type of product – food, raw materials, mineral and fuels; the quantum of commodities exports; and the development of external markets for Brazilian commodities exports. Finally, we estimated an econometric model about the commodity prices behavior using cointegration analysis. The results show that the nominal exchange rate appreciation and external demand pressures are associated with high commodity prices, which enhances the performance of Brazilian natural resources exports. Key words Commodities; Exports; Prices. Artigo recebido em abr. 2012