LatinNews Daily - 20 March 2024

*Argentina’s national statistics institute (Indec) has released new figures showing that the country registered a trade surplus of US$1.44bn in February, up from a surplus of US$182m in February 2023. This was the third consecutive month of trade surpluses, following a surplus of US$797m in January 2024 and US$1.02bn in December 2023. According to the latest Indec report, Argentina’s exports totalled US$5.53bn in February, up 5.6% year-on-year, while imports totalled US$4.09bn, down 18.6% on February 2023. Brazil was Argentina’s main export destination, accounting for US$1.03bn or 18.6% of total exports, followed by Chile (US$416m), the US (US$407m), and China (US$391m). Brazil was also the main source of imports, accounting for US$1.01bn or 24.7% of imports, followed by China (US$730m), and the US (US$395m).