A view of Recife, Brazil
A view of Recife, Brazil Reuters

Brazil is a booming, resource-rich emerging market economy. Exporting to Brazil from the U.S. has become an increasingly lucrative activity for U.S. business.

The U.S. has a trade surplus with Brazil, selling $52 billion worth of goods and services to Brazil while buying $29 billion worth of goods and services from Brazil in 2010, according to U.S. government data.

“The continued growth of the Brazilian economy provides an opportunity for increased consumption of American-made goods and services by Brazilian consumers. As a result, USTR is working to improve and grow the United States’ relationship with Brazil,” stated the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

U.S. exports to Brazil (like U.S. exports to most countries) are dominated by giant corporations that make aircraft and machinery.

Still, there are ample opportunities for small and medium sized business to benefit from Brazil’s booming market.

Brazil is set to host the World Cup in 2014 and the summer Olympics Games in 2016; preparations for these big events will provide even more opportunities for U.S. businesses in the next few years.

Below are some of the sectors identified by the U.S. government as potentially attractive opportunities for U.S. exporters:

Agriculture

field refrigeration units/storage for tropical fruits; fruit, grain, seed and vegetable cleaning, sorting and grading machinery; GPS and precision agriculture devices; and poultry equipment.

Airports

passenger bridges, baggage handling systems, handling equipment, check-in conveyors, x-ray integration, baggage claim carousels, x-ray machines and others safety and security equipment for airports

Energy

liquid pumps for photovoltaic (PV) generation, air cooling systems, photovoltaic panels, solar inverters and batteries

compact substations, SF6 - gas insulation transformers, glass and polymer insulators for 600 kV bipolar DC transmission lines, electrical switches to open circuits, circuit breakers, capacitor banks, relays, and electrical protection panels.

lightning arresters, ground and surge protection systems, relays, insulated electric conductors, surge suppressors, smart grid technologies

Safety and Security

access control, closed circuit television systems (CCTVs), alarm systems, surveillance technology, drug and explosive detectors, metal detectors, fire prevention and detection systems, cellular telephone blockers, biometrics, and home security equipment

radio and communication equipment, consultancy services for image control centers, cameras and control centers with digital recording and monitors, software and hardware, localization systems (GPS), investigation software, license plate readers, biometric equipment, cellular phone call blocking, systems for prisons, metal detectors, bullet proof vests (grades II and III), pepper spray, fluorescent vests (for highway patrol and firefighters), fire protection equipment, and shooting range simulators

Environmental Technologies

advanced water treatment (filtration), water loss prevention solutions, “intelligent valves,” efficient water distribution and reuse projects, water saving devices, and rain water systems

solid waste treatment technologies and air pollution control products

Medical Equipment

medical equipment and devices, dental equipment and products, radiological and diagnostic imaging equipment, laboratory equipment