Brazil - Mainland China Trade 2024 Whole Year: Volatile Growth, Strong Surplus
Key Market Takeaways: Brazil - Mainland China Trade
The bilateral trade relationship between Brazil and Mainland China shows volatile growth but maintains a strong surplus in 2024.
- Economic Pulse: Brazil posted a $25.22B trade surplus ($94.41B exports vs. $69.19B imports), though export volatility (e.g., -40.59% YoY in Dec) offset H1 gains.
- Exchange Structure: Brazil - Mainland China trade statistics reveal a resource-for-tech model—77.9% of Brazil’s exports are raw materials (soybeans, ores), while 25.65% of imports are Chinese electronics (HS 85).
- Strategic Interdependence: Highly complementary but imbalanced; Brazil relies on China for high-tech goods, while China depends on Brazilian commodities for industrial inputs.
This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.
Brazil-Mainland China Trade Trend in Whole Year 2024
Brazil Export Performance: Shipments to Mainland China
- Total Volume: $94.41B in 2024.
- Growth Trend & Context:
- Volatile YoY performance, with sharp declines in Q4 (-40.59% YoY in Dec) offsetting strong H1 growth (54.64% YoY in Jan).
- August (-28.79% MoM) and November (-15.12% MoM) saw steep monthly contractions.
- Key Volatility: July ($10.17B, +6.14% MoM) was the peak, while December ($5.25B) marked the lowest monthly value.
Brazil Import Performance: Sourcing from Mainland China
- Total Volume: $69.19B in 2024.
- Growth Trend & Context:
- Robust YoY growth overall (+16.46% YoY in Dec), with October (+55.15% YoY) as the standout month.
- Mid-year surge (June: $6.28B, +29.17% MoM) contrasted with Q4 softness (-17.21% MoM in Nov).
- Key Volatility: June ($6.28B) and October ($7.40B) were peaks, while February ($4.74B) was the trough.
Brazil - Mainland China Trade Balance & Market Dynamics
- Net Position: Trade surplus of $25.22B (Exports $94.41B > Imports $69.19B).
- Relationship Status: Brazil maintains a strong net exporter role, though import reliance on Chinese goods grew YoY in key months (e.g., October +55.15% YoY).
Brazil Import Trend from Mainland China 2024 Whole Year (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.35B | 9.59% | 8.57% |
| Feb | 4.74B | -11.35% | 20.6% |
| Mar | 4.86B | 2.53% | 8.98% |
| Apr | 4.96B | 2.06% | 21.65% |
| May | 4.86B | -1.98% | 2.0% |
| Jun | 6.28B | 29.17% | 31.89% |
| Jul | 6.03B | -3.89% | 37.23% |
| Aug | 6.46B | 7.05% | 22.56% |
| Sep | 6.45B | -0.16% | 27.12% |
| Oct | 7.40B | 14.79% | 55.15% |
| Nov | 6.13B | -17.21% | 30.74% |
| Dec | 5.68B | -7.3% | 16.46% |
| Total | 69.19B | - | - |
Brazil Export Trend to Mainland China 2024 Whole Year (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.81B | -11.66% | 54.64% |
| Feb | 6.78B | -13.27% | 37.24% |
| Mar | 8.28B | 22.21% | -24.39% |
| Apr | 9.52B | 15.01% | 4.8% |
| May | 9.59B | 0.64% | -9.2% |
| Jun | 9.58B | -0.01% | 3.11% |
| Jul | 10.17B | 6.14% | 16.93% |
| Aug | 7.24B | -28.79% | -22.38% |
| Sep | 7.43B | 2.53% | -22.2% |
| Oct | 6.90B | -7.15% | -24.38% |
| Nov | 5.85B | -15.12% | -33.51% |
| Dec | 5.25B | -10.23% | -40.59% |
| Total | 94.41B | - | - |
Get Historical Brazil Mainland China Trade Records
Brazil-Mainland China Top Trading Products in Whole Year 2024
Brazil Export Profile: What Does Brazil Sell to Mainland China
- Top Commodity: Rank #1 export is HS Code 12 (Oilseeds, grains, seeds, fruits) with 33.37% share.
- Demand Driver: Mainland China uses these for industrial processing (e.g., soybean crushing for animal feed and cooking oil).
- Concentration: The top 3 exports (HS 12, 26, 27) account for 77.9% of total exports, 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) with 25.65% share.
- Dependency Nature: Critical technology dependency, as imports are dominated by high-tech and machinery (HS 84, 85, 87, 90).
Brazil - Mainland China Trade Relationship Dynamics
- The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Tech Complementarity—Brazil supplies raw materials (soybeans, ores, oil) while Mainland China provides industrial machinery and electronics.
- Value Chain Position: Mainland China holds the higher value-add position, exporting advanced manufactured goods, while Brazil remains a supplier of low-margin commodities.
Import Analysis by Product: Mainland China to Brazil (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | 17.75B | 25.65% |
| 84 | 11.90B | 17.20% |
| 87 | 6.22B | 8.98% |
| 29 | 5.27B | 7.62% |
| 39 | 2.64B | 3.81% |
| 38 | 2.55B | 3.69% |
| 72 | 2.53B | 3.65% |
| 31 | 2.11B | 3.06% |
| 73 | 1.70B | 2.46% |
| 90 | 1.60B | 2.31% |
Export Analysis by Product: Brazil to Mainland China (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 31.50B | 33.37% |
| 26 | 21.33B | 22.59% |
| 27 | 20.72B | 21.94% |
| 02 | 7.80B | 8.27% |
| 47 | 4.62B | 4.90% |
| 52 | 1.73B | 1.83% |
| 17 | 1.41B | 1.49% |
| 72 | 1.27B | 1.35% |
| 24 | 584.68M | 0.62% |
| 25 | 522.20M | 0.55% |
Check Detailed Brazil-Mainland China Trade HS Code Breakdown
Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations
Forecast
Brazil’s trade with Mainland China is expected to remain robust in 2025, driven by sustained Chinese demand for agricultural commodities (HS 12) and minerals (HS 26, 27). However, exporters must brace for volatility, as fluctuating global commodity prices and seasonal demand shifts could lead to uneven monthly performance. Meanwhile, Brazil’s reliance on Chinese high-tech imports (HS 85, 84) will likely deepen, reinforcing the resource-for-tech exchange model. Traders should anticipate tighter margins on raw material exports while navigating rising competition in key industrial supply chains.
Strategic Moves
- Lock in Long-Term Supply Contracts: Brazilian soybean and iron ore exporters should secure multi-year agreements with Chinese buyers to mitigate price volatility and ensure stable revenue streams.
- Diversify Import Sources for Critical Tech: Reduce overreliance on Chinese electronics by exploring partnerships with South Korea, Japan, or EU suppliers for machinery (HS 84, 85) to hedge against geopolitical risks.
- Invest in Value-Added Processing: Shift from raw commodity exports to semi-processed goods (e.g., soybean oil instead of beans) to capture higher margins and reduce exposure to China’s industrial demand cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Brazil - Mainland China trade perform in 2024 Whole Year?
Brazil exported $94.41B to Mainland China and imported $69.19B, with volatile export growth but robust import growth (+16.46% YoY in December).
What are the top exports from Brazil to Mainland China?
The top exports are HS Code 12 (Oilseeds, grains, seeds, fruits), HS 26 (Ores, slag, ash), and HS 27 (Mineral fuels, oils), accounting for 77.9% of total exports.
What does Brazil import from Mainland China?
The top import is HS Code 85 (Electrical machinery, equipment), followed by other high-tech and machinery products (HS 84, 87, 90).
What is the trade balance between Brazil and Mainland China?
Brazil recorded a trade surplus of $25.22B, maintaining its role as a net exporter despite growing reliance on Chinese imports in key months.
Brazil - Mainland China Trade 2023 Q1: Resilient Surplus
Brazil's trade surplus with Mainland China hit $7.63B in Q1 2023, driven by soybeans & ores exports. Explore Brazil Mainland China trade trends & top trading products via yTrade data.
Brazil - Mainland China Trade 2024 Q2: Commodity Surplus & Tech Imbalance
Brazil's $12.59B surplus with Mainland China highlights a resource-for-tech exchange, with 85% of exports as raw materials. Explore Brazil Mainland China trade trends and top products via yTrade data.
