Brazil’s Arab-bound machinery exports fall 42%

São Paulo – Brazilian exports of machinery and equipment to Arab countries are declining sharply this year, signaling a divergence from the industry’s overall growth. According to figures compiled by Brazil’s Machinery and Equipment Industry Association (Abimaq) and submitted to ANBA, Arab countries purchased $210 million worth of Brazilian machinery and equipment during the first nine months of the year, marking a 42.71% drop compared to the same period in 2025.

The sector’s total exports, however, rose 5.5% to $10.1 billion over the same period. Among Arab nations, Gulf countries lead the buying, with the UAE importing $101.6 million worth of Brazilian machinery, a 33.9% decline, and Saudi Arabia, the second biggest market, witnessing a 22.6% fall to $38.9 million. Qatar's imports, meanwhile, nearly doubled compared to last year, totaling $18 million.

Brazil's machinery exports to the rest of the world continue to dominate, with South America accounting for 33.4% of total shipments, North America 32.4%, and Europe 12.8%, while the remaining 21.4% goes to other destinations. In contrast, Brazilian imports of machinery and equipment from Arab countries have surged by 44.4% this year, reaching $48.1 million through September, up from $33.3 million in the same period last year.

The leading suppliers to Brazil among Arab nations are the United Arab Emirates, with a 66.2% increase to $38.9 million, followed by Tunisia, with a 6% rise to $8.3 million. Brazil’s top overall suppliers of machinery and equipment remain China, the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, and South Korea.