Brazilian Trade Surplus May Narrow by Half, Estado Reports

Brazil's trade excess this year may be half of the value registered in 2007 because of the increase in imports, O Estado de Sao Paulo reported on its Web site, citing revised estimates from banks and economic institutions.

Estimates for the trade surplus this year have been cut to about $20 billion from forecasts of about $30 billion some weeks ago, the Brazilian newspaper said. Brazil had a trade surplus of $40 billion last year, Estado reported.