In 2006, the Brazilian chemical industry's net sales, taking into account all the segments that comprise it, came to R$ 177.7 billion, an amount 2.3% higher than that for 2005. Measured in US dollars, net sales achieved a record US$ 81.6 billion. In spite of the small growth of the Brazilian economy in 2006, a year in which the GDP recorded an increase of a mere 2.9%, the chemical industry had a reasonable performance.
Export volumes increased 14.2%, achieving revenues of US$ 8.92 billion, 20.8% higher than the previous year. Imports also grew and came to a record US$ 17.38 billion, 13.3% more than the previous year. The Brazilian chemical products balance of trade deficit, in 2006, stood at US$ 8.46 billion, against the US$ 7.93 billion of 2005.
In the international scenario, the high rise in the price of the barrel of oil, in 2006, and, consequently, of petrochemical naphtha and natural gas, with a significant impact on the international price for several chemical products, is worthy of note.
International demand for chemical products, boosted by the growth of global economy, has remained at a high level, without the counterpart, at the same rhythm, of the increase in the offerings, which is reflected in the price pressures.
The chemical industry participates actively in nearly all industrial chains and complexes, including services and agriculture, playing an important role in the development of the Country's various economic activities. According to data recently revised by the IBGE, the chemical industry's contribution to the total GDP was of 3.1%, in 2006.
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