Exports exceed US$1.8 billion, up 44% from the same period last year; Products like sugar, coffee, and beef drive trade growth
By Pedro Augusto
Trade between Brazil and Canada continues on a record-breaking trajectory. In the first quarter of 2025, Brazilian exports to the North American country reached the highest value ever recorded for the period: US$1.8 billion, according to the Quick Trade Facts, a quarterly report produced by the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CCBC). This amount represents a significant 44% increase compared to the same period in 2024, establishing Canada as one of the main destinations for Brazilian products.
Driven by strong performance in agribusiness products – such as sugar, green coffee, beef, pork, and chicken – as well as mining and manufacturing industry goods like gold, iron, copper ore, and nickel, Brazil recorded a positive trade balance of US$1.253 billion for the quarter. Total trade volume (exports + imports) between the two countries also increased, with a 27% year-over-year growth. Manufactured goods such as alumina, machinery, and aircraft also stood out.
“This result reinforces the Canadian market’s interest in Brazilian products and highlights the consolidation of a strategic trade partnership. We’re seeing growth not only in volume but also in export diversification,” says Hilton Nascimento, CEO of the CCBC. “Once again, we’ve reached a historic record for the first quarter, which is a direct outcome of the internationalization of Brazilian companies and the joint efforts of public and private institutions,” he adds.
Drop in Imports Reflects Macroeconomic Context
Brazilian imports of Canadian products totaled US$550 million (FOB) in the first quarter – a 7% decrease compared to 2024. This decline is attributed to the depreciation of the Brazilian real against the U.S. and Canadian dollars, making foreign products more expensive for the domestic market. Additionally, comparisons with previous years are skewed by atypical fertilizer imports in 2022 and 2023.
Despite the decline, Canada remains an important supplier of chemical and pharmaceutical goods, such as fertilizers, medicines, and plastics, as well as machinery, including helicopters, turbofan engines, turbines, and tractors. Canada also provides key mineral extraction items, such as coke, petroleum bitumen, nickel and aluminum residues, and mineral coal. Products like niobium, lentils, and goods related to the oil and gas sector also saw growth in imports.
