Brazil's total export earnings from agricultural and livestock products over the first nine months of this year were 29% higher than in the whole of 2007, according to the National Agriculture and Livestock Federation (Confereração Nacional de Agricultura e Pecuária – CNA).

The total volume of soya exports increased by around 70% between January and September, and fuel ethanol has also made an important contribution with total exports of US$5.5bn – more than 50% up on the same period last year.

CNA spokesperson Matheus Zanella said Brazil now has a wider range of trade partners, with Asia and the Middle-East in particular growing in importance, which could help sustain exports in the face of an economic downturn in the US and Europe.

Source: Agência Brasil and Embassy of Brazil in London