RIO DE JANEIRO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Brazil recorded 29,818 exporting companies in 2025, the highest number since records began in 2008, according to a report released Monday by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services.

The figure represents an increase of 3.4 percent from 2024, consolidating the expansion of the country's exporter base despite what authorities described as a challenging international environment.

The manufacturing sector remained the leading exporter in terms of the number of companies, with 27,013 exporting firms in the sector by the end of last year.

The report also showed that the number of importing companies reached 60,115 last year, up 7.6 percent from a year earlier.

According to the ministry, the record performance of Brazil's foreign trade reflects joint efforts by the public and private sectors to expand the exporter base, diversify markets and strengthen the competitiveness of domestic companies.

Authorities noted that the strategy includes measures such as improving the tax system, expanding financing and guarantee instruments for exports, negotiating trade agreements and opening new international markets.

With the growing exporter base and more companies participating in international trade, Brazil aims to consolidate its presence in global markets and further diversify its export structure, the ministry said. ■