Brazil - Mainland China Trade 2023 Whole Year: $48.25B Surplus

Key Market Takeaways: Brazil - Mainland China Trade

The bilateral trade relationship between Brazil and Mainland China solidified Brazil’s net exporter role in 2023, driven by resilient commodity demand amid volatile import contractions.

• Economic Pulse: Brazil posted a $48.25B trade surplus ($104.23B exports vs. $55.98B imports), with export growth rebounding sharply in key months (e.g., +40.82% YoY in September) despite import declines.
• Exchange Structure: Brazil - Mainland China trade statistics reveal a resource-for-tech complementarity—76.4% of Brazil’s exports are raw materials (soybeans, ores), while 44.34% of imports are Chinese machinery (HS 84, 85).
• Strategic Interdependence: Highly complementary but asymmetric: China secures critical inputs, while Brazil depends on Chinese tech and manufacturing.

This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Brazil-Mainland China Trade Trend in Whole Year 2023

Brazil Export Performance: Shipments to Mainland China

• Total Volume: $104.23B in 2023.
• Growth Trend & Context:
  • Mixed YoY performance: Strong rebounds in March (+121.82% MoM, +17.45% YoY) and May (+16.15% MoM, +25.52% YoY), but February saw a -21.21% YoY drop.
  • Q4 sustained high YoY growth (Sep: +40.82%, Dec: +35.4%), suggesting resilient demand despite volatility.
• Key Volatility: March’s 121.82% MoM surge was the sharpest monthly spike, likely due to commodity shipment timing.

Brazil Import Performance: Sourcing from Mainland China

• Total Volume: $55.98B in 2023.
• Growth Trend & Context:
  • Persistent YoY declines: All months except December (-5.74% YoY) saw double-digit drops, with August worst at -26.21% YoY.
  • No recovery trend; imports remained subdued throughout the year.
• Key Volatility: August’s 19.86% MoM rise was the largest monthly gain but still ended -26.21% YoY, highlighting structural demand weakness.

Brazil - Mainland China Trade Balance & Market Dynamics

• Net Position: Brazil held a $48.25B trade surplus (Exports $104.23B - Imports $55.98B).
• Relationship Status: Brazil solidified its net exporter role, driven by commodity demand (e.g., soy, iron ore). Import contraction suggests reduced reliance on Chinese manufactured goods or domestic substitution.

Brazil Import Trend from Mainland China 2023 Whole Year (Source: yTrade)**

Brazil Export Trend to Mainland China 2023 Whole Year (Source: yTrade)**

Get Historical Brazil Mainland China Trade Records

Brazil-Mainland China Top Trading Products in Whole Year 2023

Brazil Export Profile: What Does Brazil Sell to Mainland China

• Top Commodity: Rank #1 export is HS Code 12 (Oilseeds, grains, seeds, fruits) at 37.35% of total exports to Mainland China.
• Demand Driver: Mainland China uses these for industrial processing (e.g., soybean crushing for animal feed and edible oil).
• Concentration: The top 3 exports (HS 12, 26, 27) dominate 76.4% of trade, indicating heavy reliance on raw materials.

Brazil Import Profile: What Does Brazil Buy from Mainland China

• Top Commodity: Rank #1 import is HS Code 85 (Electrical machinery, equipment) at 28.81% of total imports from Mainland China.
• Dependency Nature: Critical technology dependency, with machinery (HS 84, 85) accounting for 44.34% of imports.

Brazil - Mainland China Trade Relationship Dynamics

• The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Tech Complementarity—Brazil supplies raw materials (soybeans, ores, oil) in exchange for Chinese machinery and electronics.
• Value Chain Position: Mainland China holds the higher value-add position, exporting advanced manufactured goods, while Brazil remains a commodity supplier.

Import Analysis by Product: Mainland China to Brazil (Source: yTrade)

Export Analysis by Product: Brazil to Mainland China (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed Brazil-Mainland China Trade HS Code Breakdown

Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations

Forecast

Brazil’s trade surplus with Mainland China is expected to widen further in 2024, driven by sustained demand for key commodities like soybeans (HS 12) and iron ore (HS 26). While Chinese imports of Brazilian raw materials will remain robust, Brazil’s declining purchases of Chinese manufactured goods signal a structural shift—either toward domestic production or alternative suppliers. Volatility in monthly export growth (e.g., March’s 121.82% MoM surge) suggests traders should prepare for shipment timing disruptions, particularly around commodity price cycles. The resource-for-tech exchange model will persist, but Brazil must address over-reliance on raw material exports to avoid long-term vulnerability.

Strategic Moves

• Lock in Commodity Prices: Brazilian exporters of soybeans and ores should secure long-term contracts with Chinese buyers to mitigate price swings and ensure stable revenue streams.
• Diversify Import Sources: Brazilian manufacturers reliant on Chinese machinery (HS 84, 85) must explore alternative suppliers in Southeast Asia or Europe to reduce dependency and hedge against geopolitical risks.
• Invest in Value-Add Processing: Brazil should prioritize domestic processing of raw materials (e.g., soybean crushing, steel production) to capture higher margins and reduce exposure to commodity price volatility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Brazil - Mainland China trade perform in 2023 Whole Year?

Brazil exported $104.23B to Mainland China, with mixed YoY growth, while imports from China fell to $55.98B, showing persistent declines.

What are the top exports from Brazil to Mainland China?

The top exports are Oilseeds, grains, seeds, fruits (HS Code 12), alongside ores and mineral fuels (HS Codes 26, 27), dominating 76.4% of trade.

What does Brazil import from Mainland China?

Brazil primarily imports Electrical machinery and equipment (HS Code 85), with machinery (HS 84, 85) accounting for 44.34% of total imports.

What is the trade balance between Brazil and Mainland China?

Brazil held a $48.25B trade surplus, driven by strong commodity exports and reduced imports of Chinese manufactured goods.