The largest enterprises and famous businessmen of Brazil. Brazil

Among the Latin American states, it is Brazil that holds the lead in terms of overall economic potential. The industry of this country is importance However, agriculture remains the main filler of the state budget. It employs over 20 percent of the population.

Main economic indicators of the country

Football, textiles, wheat, coffee... What country are we talking about? Of course, about a state called Brazil! Industry and agriculture in this country are developed approximately equally, although the agricultural complex still leads in terms of the number of employees (20% versus 13%). Another 60% of the population works in the service sector.

In the 1990s, Brazil experienced a crisis in the economy, so investors were in no hurry to invest in this country. However, over time, thanks to a competent policy, the situation in the state improved. And already at the beginning of the new millennium, all experts noted a noticeable growth in the Brazilian economy.

Today, Brazil, whose industry provides almost 30 percent of GDP, is the country No. 1 in terms of economic potential among South American states. Despite this, about 23% of its inhabitants, according to the UN, are below the poverty line.

The country annually exports products worth almost $200 billion (imports $187 billion). Brazil's top exports are coffee, cars, biofuels, clothing, soybeans and wheat. The main partners of Brazil in the world market are: the USA, China, Argentina, Germany, the Netherlands and Japan.

Brazil: industry and its location

Brazil is a country that, due to its natural features, is in dire need of a competent regional policy. Thus, the territorial distribution of Brazilian industry is uneven. The contrast in economic development between the east and west of the country is striking.

The most developed region of Brazil is its southeast coast. It is here that the main financial centers of the country are located - the cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte. The city of São Paulo is often compared to a powerful locomotive that pulls the whole country on itself.

A large agricultural region has formed in the south of Brazil. The west and the center are "wild", often undeveloped, expanses of Brazil, where animal husbandry is fragmentarily developed.

Brazil: industry and its specialization

The number of people employed in Brazilian industry is declining from year to year. To date, the main industries in Brazil are:

• energy;
• mining industry;
• light industry;
• automotive.

In particular, the country is one of the world leaders in the production of biofuels and textiles, and the extraction of iron ore. This is the modern specialization of Brazilian industry.

About forty types of minerals are mined today in this country. Among them, the most important for the economy are iron and tungsten ores, gold, zirconium and bauxite. But Brazil meets its needs for oil only half. Therefore, it is forced to import this energy resource.

The automotive industry in Brazil is represented by numerous enterprises of the international companies Mercedes-Benz, Scania and Fiat. About one and a half million cars and buses are produced annually in the country.

Other Brazils are also quite developed. It's about about light industry (production of fabrics and footwear), chemical industry and oil refining.

Energy and biofuel production

2756 power plants operate today in Brazil. Their total capacity is 121,226 MW. Interestingly, over 80 percent of all electricity in the country is produced at environmentally friendly hydroelectric power plants (HPPs).

Brazil provides electricity not only to itself, but also to neighboring states - Paraguay and Venezuela.

The country ranks second in the world in the production of biological fuel - bioethanol. In 2006, Brazil produced almost 17 million liters of this fuel, although the technological capacities of enterprises in this country are much higher. The raw material for this purpose is sugar cane, plantations of which are also located in Brazil. Thus, here the Brazilian economy is absolutely independent of the world market conditions: if the demand for cane sugar falls - the country instantly reacts to this and produces more bioethanol.

Agriculture in Brazil

In terms of the scale of agricultural production, the country is in the top three world leaders. Thus, Brazil supplies the world market with about 6% of all agricultural products on the planet.

Brazil is, above all, the production of coffee, soybeans, cane, cocoa and bananas. Huge prospects for development in the country has forestry. But this resource is still poorly developed: it all comes down to the collection of rubber and nuts. Although this is a definite plus for the preservation of the Amazon forests.

In recent years, Brazil has been harvesting at least 600 million tons of cane annually. This figure is a record in the world. Of the grains, corn is most revered in the country: two crops of this useful crop are harvested here a year.

Livestock - is approximately 40% of the value of all agricultural products in Brazil. It is developed in the central-western part of the country and is represented mainly by pasture cattle breeding.

Coffee production

Brazil is a "coffee" country. Probably everyone knows about it. For more than a century, it has been the world leader in the production of coffee beans.

The very first coffee bushes in Brazil were planted as early as 1727. According to legend, they were brought here from Brazil. Already in the middle of the 19th century, Brazil suffered a real coffee fever. This plant not only allowed Brazil to become an important player in the world market, but also stimulated the construction of a railway network in the country. Freight trains transported coffee beans from the hinterland to large ports on the Atlantic coast.

In 2009, the country supplied almost 2 million tons of this product to the world market, which in percentage terms amounted to 32%.

Finally

Brazil is the country with the largest economic potential in the Latin American region. The main industries here are energy, mining, chemical, automotive and light industries. Brazilian agriculture specializes in coffee production, cultivation sugar cane, soy and corn.

Brazil is a country of sun and magnificent beaches, smiling people who know how to enjoy life and appreciate the moment. Brazil- a country of supermodels and simply beautiful well-groomed women. And this is logical, because the beautiful nature around obliges people to be a match for it. And perhaps that is why the textile and fashion industries are so developed in Brazil. A fashion week in sao paulo(Eng. São Paulo Fashion Week, SPFW) is currently the fifth most important in the world (after London, Milan, Paris and New York) and the largest fashion event in all of Latin America. The best Brazilian models represent the best Brazilian designers who have long been setting the tone for fashion not only within their own country, but also abroad. So, let's talk about the most famous in the world Brazilian fashion brands.

Havaianas

The most famous in the world Brazilian fashion brand - this is, without a doubt, Havaianas. The brand of rubber flip flops and sandals originated in 1962 and was inspired by the shoes worn by Japanese immigrants. The flip-flops were an immediate hit. They were durable, comfortable, practical and, most importantly, cheap. Anyone could afford a pair of these shoes. In the end, Havaianas gained such wild popularity in Brazil that they began to be taken into account even when calculating the cost of living in the country! Imagine that we have in Russia in consumer basket rubber slippers came in :) It's funny, but Brazil is an amazing country, and it's not even possible there. In general, being cheap but rather exotic shoes, tourists began to take Havaianas take home with you as a souvenir, and very soon the fame of Brazilian slippers spread all over the world.

Mid 1990s flip flop design Havaianas has been completely updated. New colors, improved models, as well as a large advertising campaign have done their job. Even Hollywood stars began to wear Havaianas. In 2003, exclusive pairs of flip flops were presented to Oscar nominees. And at the shows of the famous Jean Paul Gaultier, the models were also in Havaianas.

Now 22 million pairs are exported annually to 80 different countries. Havaianas wear everything and everywhere. On the beach, on a city walk, at a dinner in a restaurant and even at a party, because flip flops and sandals are worn by models Havaianas such a great variety that there is plenty to choose from for all occasions. For example, there are pairs with Swarovski crystals.

Melissa

In 1979, Grendene launched unusual shoes into production. The idea was simply revolutionary: shoes began to be made of plastic. This is how the Melissa brand was born. Products in an instant became super popular in Brazil. It was the first shoe brand to be worn even by the actors in the famous Brazilian TV series. Soon, plastic shoes began to be produced for export, and the company grew so much that it turned into a real giant in the shoe market. Except Melissa, brands such as Ipanema (whose face is the Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen), Rider, Grendha and others have appeared. Now shoes of these brands are exported to 90 countries.

The main bestseller is, of course, Melissa. Plastic sandals and shoes can be bought in Miami and Paris. The main feature of the brand is working with famous designers and trendsetters. Special collections were released in collaboration with Vivienne Westwood, Karim Rashid, Thierry Mugler, Jean Paul Gaultier and other fashion designers, while the price of a pair of plastic shoes remained and remains affordable. Can't afford to wear Gauthier but really want to? Just buy a pair of shoes from Melissa.

Dumond

The high level of concentration of production is very characteristic. The share of the largest enterprises (1,000 or more employed) is about 1%, but they produce more than 30% of conventionally pure products. The territorial concentration of industry is also large. The state of São Paulo alone accounts for about 60% of all industrial output.

In the structure of the Brazilian industry, the main role is played by manufacturing, whose share is approximately 75%. In terms of reserves, it ranks first in the world. In Brazil, about 60 are now mined. Brazil supplies strategic raw materials to the world market (mainly in Germany): niobium, beryllium, tantalum and zirconium ores, quartz, mica, thorium, gold, and diamonds.

Oil reserves are quite large, but only 20% of the country's needs are met. Since 1953, oil production has been carried out by the state company Petrobras. Branch of "Petrobraz" company "Brazpetro" enters into concession agreements for oil development in the Arab and. Brazil pays for what it produces with its manufactured goods.

The production of electrical equipment (generators, transformers, motors) is produced by General Electric and Siemens.

Developed in Brazil and aircraft industry. In 1971, the state company Embraer produced the first military training aircraft. Currently, the country produces 10 types of aircraft and helicopters (mostly for export). Almost all of Brazil is concentrated in the states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Until it meets local demand. The production of soda, acids, dyes, fertilizers, synthetic rubber, plastics, and explosives is mainly developed. The petrochemical industry is developing rapidly. The largest enterprise is the Kamasari complex (a city in the state of Bahia).

National private capital is developed in the food and textile industries. The wool industry is poorly developed, mainly in the south of the country. The production of fabrics from synthetic fibers and fabrics is expanding. About half of the textile production comes from the state of Sao Paulo.

Some industries work for export (sugar, meat, oil, tobacco). Among other industries, leather and footwear stand out, a significant part of which is exported.

Association of Brazilian Manufacturers of Footwear and Leather Goods Parts
ASSINTECAL - Associacao Brasileira de Industrias de Componentes
para Couros e Calcados

Brazil produces more than 800 items for footwear and leather goods. These include chemicals, metal parts, fabric parts, packaging, heels, soles, laces, insoles, and synthetic items. Drawing on the experience of the world's leading manufacturers, the Brazilian footwear and leather goods industry consists mainly of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies using the most modern technologies and supplying their products to more than 70 countries around the world.
http://www.bybrasil.org.br

Shoe making equipment

Brazilian Association of Manufacturers of Machine Tools and Equipment for the Leather, Footwear and Affiliated Industries
ABRAMEQ - Associacao Brasileira das Industrias de Maquinas e Equipamentos para os Setores do Couro, Calcados e Afins

The Brazilian industry for the production of machinery and equipment for the leather industry covers all stages production process: cutting, sewing, recycling, adjustment and finishing. http://www.bybrasil.org.br

Paper, pulp and paper products

Brazilian Association of Paper and Pulp Manufacturers
BRACELPA - Associacao Brasileira dos Fabricantes de Papel e Celulose

Brazilian Printing Industry Association
ABIGRAF - Associacao Brasileira da Industria Grafica

Brazil is justifiably proud of its position as a world leader in the pulp and paper industry. The short-staple eucalyptus, which is artificially grown, is used for production after a seven-year cycle. This is the cornerstone of an industrial plan to manage Brazil's ever-increasing resources. Brazil is a leading exporter of short-staple wood pulp made from eucalyptus.
Brazil also produces office supplies. Brazilian pencils, exported to 50 countries of the world, enjoy the greatest success. http://www.abigraf.org.br

Forest, timber products, woodworking industry

Brazilian Association of the Forestry and Reforestation Industry
ABIMCI - Associacao Brasileira das Industrias de Madeira Compensada e Industrializada

Brazil has a strong position as the world's leading timber exporter. Recognizing the economic and environmental importance of the Amazon - one of the largest green spaces in the world - Brazil has implemented programs to reforest a vast area. Huge areas are occupied by fast-growing forests, mainly pine and eucalyptus species.

Among the most important products of the Brazilian forest industry are plywood, chipboard and pressed fibreboard. Complex products, like doors, windows, frames and flooring, exported to USA, UK, Germany and France. http://www.abimci.com.br

Chemicals, chemical industry

Brazilian Chemical Industry Association
ABIQUIM - Associacao Brasileira da Industria Quimica

Brazil's chemical industry is the seventh largest in the world. It manufactures more than 70,000 materials and end products, and has more than 600 ISO 9000 certifications. A prime example is the production of thermoplastic resins, which are widely used in a wide range of applications - from packaging and auto parts to civil construction and textile production. http://www.abiquim.org.br

Plastic products

Brazilian Association of Plastics Manufacturers
ABIPLAST - Associacao Brasileira da Industria do Plastico

Brazilian plastic products are exported to more than one hundred countries. Brazil produces plastic products in more than 50 categories, including packaging, pipes, shopping bags, hoses, and more. http://www.abiplast.org.br

Rubber products

Brazilian Rubber Manufacturers Association
ABIARB - Associacao Brasileira das Industrias de Artefatos de Borracha

Brazil is one of the top five manufacturers of rubber products. Brazil produces components for products in constant demand, such as cars, Appliances, shoes, as well as for the construction of civil facilities. Brazil supplies most of its products to manufacturers Vehicle USA and Germany. Brazil produces over 35 million tires for cars and trucks every year. http://www.borracha.com.br

Steel

Brazilian Institute of Ferrous Metallurgy
IBS - Instituto Brasileiro de Siderurgia

In the iron and steel industry, Brazil is one of the largest exporters of iron ore, with an iron content of 68%. Brazil also exports unheated steel, pig iron, rolled metal, and ferroalloy.

In the world market of non-ferrous metals, Brazil occupies a leading position, for example: 94% of world exports of niobium, second place in the supply of tantalite. Brazil ranks third in the supply of kaolin, bauxite and aluminium. Brazil also has the largest tin deposits on the American continent and ranks fourth in the world in the production of cans.

In global steel production, Brazil ranks eighth in the world and fourth in terms of exports. In Brazilian steel exports, 63% are semi-finished steel products, as well as rolled sheets and steel rod, steel products with valuable additional properties. http://www.ibs.org.br

Vehicles

National Association of Vehicle Manufacturers
ANFAVEA - Associacao Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veiculos Automotores

The Brazilian industry, which produces tractors, bulldozers and agricultural machinery, is very competitive. Brazil exports about 300 models of multi-product products: motor graders, crawler tractors, front shovels, combines, rollers and hydraulic excavators to 120 countries around the world.

Brazil is the largest exporter of buses and vans in Latin America and is renowned for the quality of its all-terrain and city buses.

New models of heavy trucks that provide drivers with increased safety and comfort are being exported to the United States, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.

All ten of the world's largest automakers carry out production in Brazil. These leading global manufacturers have chosen Brazil as their Latin American hub for the production of both regional and international vehicles. http://www.anfavea.com.br

car parts

National Syndicate of Manufacturers of Automotive Components
S1NDIPECAS - Sindicato Nacional das Industrias de Componentes
para Veiculos Automotores

Brazil is the largest exporter of both complete equipment and spare parts. The structural changes that have taken place in the Brazilian automotive industry have had a significant impact on the production of auto parts and engines. Brazil has become the largest center for the export of spare parts with increased interchangeability.

http://www.sindipecas.org.br

Machinery, machine tools and engines

Brazilian Association of Manufacturers of Industrial Machinery and Equipment
ABIMAQ - Associacao Brasileira de Maquinas e Equipamentos

The Brazilian machine tool industry includes 4,000 companies. The leading Brazilian export destinations are: agricultural and mining machinery, as well as equipment for foundry, metallurgy and rolling, pumps, compressors and internal combustion engines. http://www.abimaq.org.br

Aviation and astronautics

Embraer

The Brazilian company Embraer has thirty years of experience in the development and production of commercial and military aircraft and is currently the fourth largest manufacturer of commercial aircraft in the world. Brazil accounts for 45% of the global regional jet market. http://www.embraer.com.br

Brazil is the largest country South America located in its central and eastern parts. The length of the land borders is about 16 thousand km, in the east, for 7.4 thousand km, the country is washed by the Atlantic. Area - 8.5 million square meters. km. According to the US Census Bureau, the population in 1999 was 171,853 thousand people. Currently, Brazil is a federal republic, administratively divided into 23 states, 3 territories and federal district. The capital is Brasilia. Monetary unit - real. The official language is Portuguese.

Characterized by large and well developed agriculture, mining, manufacturing and service sectors, Brazil's economy outperforms that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in global markets. Since 2003, Brazil has steadily improved its macroeconomic stability by building foreign exchange reserves and reducing debt. In 2008, Brazil became a net external creditor and the Brazilian economy was given investment status by two rating agencies. After record growth in 2007 and 2008, the onset of the global financial crisis hit the country's economy in September 2008. Brazil experienced two quarters of decline as global demand for Brazilian goods declined and external lending declined.

However, Brazil was one of the first developing countries to start a recovery. Consumption and investor confidence recovered and GDP growth turned positive in 2010. The recovery of exports had a positive effect on economic growth.

Currently, strong growth in Brazil and high interest rates have made the country's economy attractive to foreign investors. Large capital inflows in 2010 contributed to the rapid appreciation of the local currency and forced the government to raise taxes on some foreign investment. President Dilma Rousseff pledged to remain committed to the previous administration's central bank inflation targeting, floating exchange rates and fiscal restraint policies.

History of the Brazilian economy

Until the mid-1990s, Brazil experienced very high inflation and foreign investors were afraid to invest in the national economy. But with the introduction of a strict monetary policy in the country, the country corrected its situation: the rise in prices for consumer goods in 1998 it amounted to 2% against 1000% in 1994. But at the same time, GDP growth fell from 5.7% in 1994 to 3% in 1997 due to a tighter credit policy.

In 1998 the country's economy is facing a serious test: the global financial crisis has led to an outflow of investment from the country. Approximately 30 billion dollars was spent in August and September 1998. The most serious consequence for Brazil, after the Russian refusal to pay its debts, was the decision to change the annual interest rate (it reached 50%). After adjusting the tax program and adopting new principles of structural transformation, the International Monetary Fund issued loans to the country in the amount of 41.5 billion dollars. In January 1999, the Central Bank of Brazil announced a one-time 8% devaluation of the real and a refusal to further artificially support the national currency. The government of the country hoped for the beginning of economic growth by the end of 1999. and declared its adherence to a strict anti-inflationary course. Even though in 1999 in the country there was a currency crisis, the country's economy, despite this, by the end of 1999. nevertheless increased. Since the end of 1999, since the end of 1999, about 20 billion dollars of investments have been invested in the country's economy after the issuance of an IMF loan.

Between 1995 and 1998 there was a decline in almost all industries in Brazil (from 7.6% to -2.3% in total), especially in engineering (from 21.4% to -4.1%), energy (from 19.0% to -10 .1%) and transportation (from 13.4% to -15.1%).

But by 2000, the world's leading economists were seeing the growth of the Brazilian economy. For example, overall production growth (but data for March 2001) was 11.2% from January 2000, while analysts had expected 6.8%. Combined with strong output, there has been a better-than-expected drop in unemployment and a surprisingly large trade deficit recorded in early 2001.

The hot period of economic activity has led to the fact that imports began to develop at a faster pace than exports, despite the fact that the devaluation helps to increase the competitiveness of Brazilian products. Between January and February, exports rose 13.8% to $8.62 billion, while imports rose 18.6% to $9.02 billion.

Many media said that with such a growth rate, the Brazilian economy would "overheat", but the country adapted to the fast-growing economy precisely through imports, and not through rising prices, as previously assumed. In 2000, the Central Bank lowered its benchmark interest rate from 45% to 15.25%, in the hope that the economy would continue to respond to the rate cut cycle over the past two years.

Brazil's GNP in 1998 was $767,578 million. Brazil's GDP in 1998 was $778,209 million. At the end of 1999, the decline in Brazil's GDP did not exceed 2%, despite the expected 3.8%.

Exports in 1998 amounted to 51 billion dollars and consisted of iron ore, coffee, soybeans, oranges, cars, aircraft, weapons. Exporting countries: EEC - 28%, Latin America (excluding Argentina) - 28%, USA - 20%, Argentina - 13%. Imports in 1998 amounted to 57.6 billion dollars and consisted of crude oil, machinery and equipment, and food products. Importing countries: EEC - 26%, USA - 22%, Argentina - 13%, Japan - 5%.

However, in subsequent years, Brazil was waiting for a new period of frankly weak economic development. The government of Luis Inacio Lula da Silva failed to contain the growth of domestic debt, which has long been more than half of GDP, despite a policy of lowering bank interest rates. Bank interest rates that attracted speculative short-term capital to Brazil remained the highest in the world at 14.25%. So far, economic growth has been held back by the devaluation of the local currency, the real, whose exchange rate was artificially maintained at a level of 30% below the real one against the US dollar, which naturally restrained production growth and made exports expensive.

The pace of development of the Brazilian economy in 2006-2007 remained below the global level - such a conclusion is contained in the report of the International Monetary Fund.

In December 2008, the President of Brazil signed a decree on the formation of a "sovereign wealth fund" in the amount of up to $ 6 billion, financed by a state budget surplus (up to 3.8% of GDP). The purpose of the fund is to provide investment for Brazilian companies in the face of the collapse of external sources of credit.

Relative change in GDP by years: +5.1% (2008); -0.2% (2009); +7.5% (2010). In 2010, the volume of GDP amounted to 2.023 trillion. dollars (2182 trillion dollars at PPP). GDP per capita reached $11,220 ($11,514 PPP). The inflation rate was 4.5% and the unemployment rate was 5.7%.

Brazilian industry

Brazil is one of key countries developing world. In terms of GDP, it ranks first in Latin America, and in terms of industrial production one of the ten largest countries in the world. The share of industry in GDP is 26.4%, and agriculture - 6.1%. Industry employs 14% of the workforce. Brazil has large reserves of minerals: iron (over 100 billion tons), manganese (100 million tons), uranium (256 thousand tons) ores, coal (21 billion tons), oil, etc.

Brazil industrial production growth rate, % to the previous year

Mining industry. Despite the rapid development and rich resource base of Brazil, the share of this industry in GDP is small. The extraction of apatite and iron ore is highly developed there, as well as the extraction of gold, silver, tin, diamonds and asbestos. The iron ore industry works to a large extent for export.

More than 40 types of minerals are mined in Brazil. The most significant are iron and manganese ores. More than 200 million tons of iron ore are mined per year, approximately 80% is exported. Brazil occupies one of the first places in the world in terms of bauxite mining. Zinc, copper and nickel are mined for the domestic market. Brazil is a supplier of strategic raw materials: tungsten, niobium, zirconium, mica, etc. Brazil provides only half of its oil needs and is forced to import it. The annual demand for oil is 75 million tons. In the 1970s, significant reserves of gold were found in the Amazon, and now its production is about 80 tons per year. Coal deposits have been found, but the coal is of low quality and its production is about 5 million tons per year. The most developed production of aluminum on its own bauxites, as well as nickel and copper.

Energy. Up to 90% of the country's electricity is produced by hydroelectric power plants, alternative sources are also used (most of the cars run on alcohol), firewood, coal, and one nuclear power plant. Ferrous metallurgy. operates on its own ore and imported coke. The country is one of the ten world steel producers (smelting - 25 million tons). The largest factories are located in the states of Minas Gerai and Sao Paulo.

Brazil has a huge hydropower potential. Energy is 99% based on hydropower. Brazil has the second largest hydroelectric power station in the world - Itaipu. In 2005, 546 billion kWh were generated. Brazil exported 7 million kWh of electricity and imported 39 billion kWh, mostly from Paraguay. In 2007, 438.8 billion kWh were generated, 404.3 billion kWh were consumed, and 2.034 billion kWh were exported. Electricity import in 2008 - 42.06 billion kWh (mainly from Paraguay).

Manufacturing industry. The manufacturing industry occupies over a quarter of the GDP. The main industries are oil refining and the chemical industry. Developed - transport engineering (primarily automotive), machine tool building. The country ranks fourth in the world in the construction of sea vessels, and the success of the aircraft industry is noticeable. The radio hardware structure has been developed, and the production of electronic computers is developing at a rapid pace. The main centers of the industry are Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil produces more than 1.5 million cars annually. The main car manufacturers in the country are Scania, Mercedes-Benz and Fiat. The main manufacturer of buses is Mercedes-Benz.

Agriculture in Brazil

Agriculture in Brazil employs 20% of the labor force. In terms of exports of agricultural products, Brazil is in third place in the world, its share in world exports of these products is 6.1%. The share of agricultural products in Brazil's exports reaches almost a third. In the structure of the industry, crop production is leading (60% of the value of all products), and in the course of the evolution of land use and land tenure systems, the institution of large land ownership - latifundia (80% of all cultivated land) has developed. In addition, small landownership - minifundia - is widespread. Although the proportion of the latter is small, it is they who produce the bulk of food (and not export, as on latifundia plantations) crops for domestic consumption: cereals, legumes, potatoes. Brazil is a traditional producer and exporter of a number of agricultural products: coffee, sugar cane, soybeans, corn, cocoa, bananas, cotton, as well as a significant number of cattle.

In the north of Brazil there are huge forest areas of the Amazon, occupying 60% of the entire territory of the country. But stocks of valuable tree species are used unconventionally and poorly. Of greatest importance is the collection of rubber, the harvesting of nuts and medicinal plants.

Coffee is one of Brazil's main exports. In 2008, 2790.8 million tons of coffee were harvested, thus Brazil is in first place in the world in this indicator. By its production, Brazil is on the 1st place in the world. Brazil ranks 1st in the world in the production of sugar cane, from which ethanol is made, used mainly as a fuel for cars. In 2008, 648 million tons were harvested. Cocoa beans (208 thousand tons), cotton (3.9 million tons) and soybeans (59.9 million tons) are also grown.

Brazil's main consumer crops are wheat, corn and rice. In 2008, harvested: corn - 59 million tons (two crops are being harvested), rice - 12 million tons, wheat - 5 million tons.

Livestock in Brazil is predominantly meat, it provides about 40% of the value of agricultural products. Pasture cattle breeding predominates, as well as beef cattle breeding in combination with vegetable growing. Animal husbandry is most common in the Central-West of the country. In 2002, there were 176 million head of cattle, 30 million pigs, 1050 million heads poultry and 15 million sheep.

Brazil transport

Transport in Brazil is developed extremely unevenly, railways are mainly located in the east of the country. Transport highways (at first, railways) began to form in the 19th century. And now, new and modernized railway lines mainly connect mining centers and agricultural production areas with ports. The length of railways is 29,252 km, including 487 km with a wide gauge, 194 km with a standard gauge, 23,785 km with a narrow gauge, and 396 km with the rest.

The length of motor roads is 1.98 million km. (of which with a hard surface - 184,140 km.). Highways, although they are the longest in all of Latin America and carry most passengers do not meet the needs of the country, moreover, they are unevenly distributed throughout the country. Maritime (98% of all foreign trade cargo) and air transport play an exceptional role in the development of foreign trade relations.

Airports: total - 4276, with hard surface - 714, without hard surface - 3562. Water transport: total - 137 vessels with a displacement of 2,038,923 gt / 3,057,820 dwt, dry cargo ships - 21, oil tankers - 47, chemical tankers - 8, gas tankers - 12, passenger - 12, container - 8, bulk carriers - 21, ro-ro - 8.

The role of Brazil in the world economy

The Brazilian economy, with a highly developed agriculture, mining industry (it ranks first in the world in the extraction of iron ore, apatite, the second in the extraction of beryllium, the third in the extraction of bauxite, the fourth in the extraction of gold, asbestos, tin) and the service sector, is the most powerful in the region and has a significant impact on world markets. Brazil is the world's largest producer of coffee and sugar cane, and one of the largest exporters of agricultural products.

Despite the inexpressive indicators of economic development, Brazil claims to be the world leader in developing countries. A new confirmation of the government's claims to leadership among the third world countries was the intention to form a bloc of countries at the upcoming IMF forum in order to block the IMF reform project, which would give China, South Korea, Turkey and Mexico greater rights in making decisions of the international financial body. The volume of exports in 2010 amounted to 199.7 billion US dollars, and imports - 187.7 billion US dollars. Exports are transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, automobiles. Export partners China 12.49%, USA 10.5%, Argentina 8.4%, Netherlands 5.39%, Germany 4.05% (for 2009). Imports - machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum, automotive parts, electronics. Import partners USA 16.12%, China 12.61%, Argentina 8.77%, Germany 7.65%, Japan 4.3% (for 2009).