- Record volume of 11.7 million tons exported in September 2026.
- Oil export revenue surged 77.3% to $6.5 billion.
- Cumulative 2026 trade surplus reached $62.396 billion.
Brazilian oil exports reached an unprecedented level in September 2026, fueled by rising pre-salt production and high international prices. The robust performance bolsters the country's trade balance and provides a meaningful foreign exchange inflow.
What Was the Record Volume Reported by Secex?
Brazilian oil exports totaled 11.7 million tons in September 2026, according to data released by the Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex). According to a report by the Money Times news portal, the result topped the previous record of 11 million tons set in March 2023.
Compared to September 2025, shipped volume rose 42.2%. Over the same period, export revenue jumped 77.3% to reach approximately $6.5 billion, supported by an average export price of $556 per ton (up 24.7% year-over-year).
What Drove the Surge in Foreign Sales?
Expanding domestic supply and a tight external environment supported shipments. On the production side, pre-salt fields in the Santos Basin—notably Búzios and Mero—continue to boost national production capacity, which had already set a record in August.
On the international front, geopolitical tensions involving Iran and risks in the Strait of Hormuz drove up global commodity prices. This tightening in fuel and oil supply favored alternative suppliers, opening the door for Brazilian crude in overseas markets.
How Does This Affect the Trade Balance and the Economy?
The strong performance of the extractive sector anchors a cumulative trade surplus of $62.396 billion through September 2026, according to data reported by InfoMoney based on Secex figures. The total comprises $284.654 billion in exports against $222.259 billion in imports for the period, outpacing the cumulative result through September 2025 by 34.8%.
The robust commercial influx of U.S. dollars from commodity exports acts as an important support for the Brazilian real, helping to ease currency pressures and supporting the currency's recent trading levels below R$ 5.00.
What to Watch in the Coming Months?
The sustainability of international prices and the pace of pre-salt extraction remain in focus. Investors should monitor developments regarding Middle East tensions and upcoming Secex reports to evaluate whether record shipping volumes will hold through the end of 2026.
Monitor Secex reports — Track upcoming trade balance figures to verify whether the cumulative surplus is sustained.
Watch Brent crude prices — Follow geopolitical developments in the Strait of Hormuz and their impact on international pricing.
Track foreign exchange flows — Assess the ongoing support for the real stemming from export revenues.
