LatinNews Daily - 11 August 2020

In brief: Chinese demand sustained Brazil’s exports, says Guedes

* Brazil’s economy minister, Paulo Guedes, has said that the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has had practically “zero” effect on Brazil’s exports, thanks to sustained demand from Asian countries, notably China. Speaking during an event organised by the Frente Parlamentar Agropecuária (FPA) agribusiness bloc in Brazil's federal congress, Guedes said that Asian consumption had compensated a drop in demand in the US, Europe and Argentina, and allowed Brazilian exports to close the first six months of 2020 at a level almost unchanged from last year. China accounted for 34% of the US$121.3bn Brazil exported between January and July 2020. “It’s very clear for the entire world that Brazil has a strong advantage in the agribusiness sector”, Guedes said, noting that Brazil is turning to new markets in Asia and the Middle East.