Chemicals deficit grows 13.6% in 2013, totaling $ 32.0 billion

The Brazil imported $ 46.1 billion in chemicals in 2013. The value represents an increase of 7.3% over the previous year. Only in intermediates for fertilizers, the main agenda item of the import sector, were purchased more than $ 8.2 billion, an increase of 0.4% before 2012. Exports, on the other hand, $ 14.1 billion in 2013, decreased 4.6% compared to 2012, particularly affected by falling sales of thermoplastic resins, 7.5%, and elastomers, 32.2%. The trade deficit of chemical products totaled US $ 32.0 billion in 2013, the largest ever in recorded history, confirming the predictions of Abiquim, disclosed in the national meeting of the chemical industry last December. The value represents an increase of 13.6% compared to 2012, when the deficit on chemicals was $ 28.1 billion.