Argentina-Brazil Trade Deficit Narrows
Bilateral trade between Argentina and Brazil totaled $2.662 billion in September 2026, marking a 12.7 percent decline compared to the $3.049 billion recorded in September 2025, according to the latest bilateral trade report from the Chamber of Commerce and Services of the Argentine Republic (CAC). Despite the year-on-year drop, the exchange represented a 3.3 percent increase compared to August.
The figures highlight a shifting commercial dynamic. While Argentine exports to Brazil expanded for the seventh month, a sharp contraction in imports drove down the overall volume of trade while shrinking the bilateral deficit.
Export Growth Driven by Automotive and Energy Sectors
Argentine exports to Brazil reached $1.305 billion in September, representing a 5.7 percent increase compared to the same month in 2025. The growth was led primarily by shipments of motor vehicles for cargo transportation and special uses, aluminum, fuel oil, and crude petroleum or bituminous mineral oils.
These gains sustained a positive streak for Argentine outbound shipments. However, they were outpaced by inbound shipments from Brazil, keeping the monthly trade balance in negative territory.
Import Contraction Cuts Down the Monthly Deficit
Imports from Brazil totaled $1.357 billion in September, marking a steep 25.2 percent decrease compared to September 2025. The downturn was driven largely by lower purchases of passenger motor vehicles, automotive parts and accessories, road vehicles, and electrical energy.
Because imports exceeded exports, Argentina posted a monthly trade deficit of $51 million for September. However, this shortfall was significantly narrower than those recorded in preceding months.
Nine-Month Bilateral Balance Shows Significant Compression
During the first nine months of 2026, Argentina accumulated a cumulative trade deficit with Brazil of $1.687 billion. That figure represents a sharp reduction compared to the same period in 2025, when the deficit stood at $4.681 billion.
While the negative balance persisted through September—maintaining a trend that began in January 2026—the deficit continued to decelerate compared to the two previous months.
Argentina Ranks as a Top Trade Partner for Brazil
In September, Argentina ranked as Brazil’s third-largest supplier, trailing China, Hong Kong, and Macao at $7.063 billion and the United States at $4.428 billion. On the buyer side, Argentina positioned itself as Brazil’s fourth-largest export destination, behind China, Hong Kong, and Macao ($7.890 billion), the United States ($3.516 billion), and the Netherlands ($1.734 billion).
Meanwhile, Brazil’s global trade performance remained strong. Brazilian exports to the world grew 12.9 percent in September 2026, rising to $34.418 billion from $30.487 billion a year earlier. Imports edged down 2.4 percent to $26.678 billion, securing a Brazilian global trade surplus of $7.741 billion and marking 19 months of positive monthly balances.
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