The trade and industry are preparing for a slowdown in the coming months, which is reflected in a sharp moderation of the imports of goods to sell locally, to produce or re-export.
These sectors are adjusting their stocks knowing that an increase of the product placement may not happen as it did in 2011.
The purchase of goods abroad (excluding petroleum) totaled USD 5,505 million in the first eight months of the year, 0.6% more than a year ago, according to the foreign trade report released yesterday by the Institute Uruguay XXI. In fact, when compared month after month the performance with 2011, it shows that the increases are much more modest.
Just compare it with August 2011, when the annual increase was 40%. The value in that month a year ago had been USD 226 million, and this time was only USD 2 million. The slowdown affects the trade balance that closed in August for the seventh consecutive month with a positive balance.
Moreover, if the export of goods grew 15.1% yoy in January-August, until reaching USD 6,195 million with a strong momentum of the grain harvest, income fell by 12.1% in temporary admission (when material is entering the country in order to add national value and then export them). This "is a sign" that "possibly the industry may tend to restrict their sales abroad," said Burghi.
Source: El País Digital
