Brazil Hit its Highest Export Value at US$348.7 Billion in 2025

Written by Amir Richani for IIR News (Sugar Land Texas)

---

Summary

Brazil exported US$348.7 billion in 2025, led by the manufacturing (US$188.68 billion) and extractive (US$80.43 billion) sectors. Volumes of oil and iron ore exported in 2025 broke all previous records.

---

Record Exports for Brazil

Brazil closed 2025 with a total export value of US$348.7 billion, a new historical high and US$9 billion more than the previous record in 2023, according to information published by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services. In terms of volume, iron ore and oil hit new record highs.

Last year's export value was 3.5% higher than in 2024. Additionally, in terms of volume, exports in 2025 were up 5.7%.

The manufacturing sector led export values totaling US$188.68 billion, up 3.8% from 2024. The beef industry accounted for the largest chunk at US$16.60 billion, a 42.46% year-over-year increase. In second place was sugar at US$14.12 billion, 24.14% less than in 2024, and fuels ranked third at US$10.44 billion, a 10.35% decline from 2024 due to lower prices.

The extractive sector was the second most influential for export values, accounting for US$80.43 billion, down 0.74%. Oil and iron ore exports accounted for 21.1% of total exports in 2025, reaching US$44.67 billion and US$28.96 billion, respectively.

In terms of volume, oil and iron ore set new records, reaching 98 million tons and 416 million tons, respectively, in 2025. Despite record volumes, oil's total export value fell 0.65%, and iron ore fell 3% due to lower market prices.

Yet these two industries are led by Petrobras (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Vale (Rio de Janeiro), both Brazilian companies with clear plans to expand production over the next few years. For Petrobras, it is already the largest Latin American hydrocarbon producer, with plans to further expand production by deploying several new platforms in the near term.

Vale, for its part, seeks to regain its spot as the largest iron ore producer worldwide by expanding production, as shown by the inauguration of the Capanema mine in September, which will add another 15 million tons per year.

Industrial Info is tracking 600 projects across Brazil owned by Petrobras and Vale worth US$92.42 billion.

Trade Balance & Economic Partners

Brazil registered an export surplus over imports of US$68.29 billion, the third-highest since 2023 and 2024.

In terms of the largest partners, the trade balance with Argentina was a surplus of US$5.17 billion, and with China, US$29.09 billion.

Brazilian exports to its biggest international partners increased in 2025. Exports to Argentina, in terms of value, increased by 31.4% to US$18.11 billion, followed by China, which reached US$100.02 billion and a 5.9% year-on-year increase. Total exports to the European Union totaled US$49.81 billion, 3.2% more than in 2024.

Exports to Argentina were dominated by car sales, as well automobile parts and accessories, whereas exports to China were driven by soybeans, oil, and iron ore. European shipments were led by oil and coffee.

Among the largest partners, exports to the United States declined 6.57% year over year to US$37.72 billion due to U.S. tariffs on Brazilian products. Brazil mainly exported oil and semi-finished steel products throughout 2025.

Key Takeaways

• Brazil reached its highest export value in 2025 at US$348.7 billion.
• Export volumes of iron ore and oil were the highest on record.
• Exports to China, Argentina and the EU were higher than in 2024.

---

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).