E-commerce transactions reach BRL 196.1 bi in 2023
Brazil’s National E-Commerce Observatory, part of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, announced this week that Brazilian e-commerce grew 4 percent from 2022 and generated BRL 196.1 billion in 2023. Since 2016, the sector has more than quintupled, up from just over BRL 39 billion.
According to the Observatory, São Paulo, Espírito Santo, and Minas Gerais states together accounted for 60 percent of the country's e-commerce business in 2023.
“This shows that we have hard work ahead, particularly in the areas of digital inclusion and income distribution,” said Uallace Moreira, the ministry’s Secretary for Industrial Development, Innovation, Trade, and Services. He emphasized that e-commerce is crucial for national development.
Shopping profile
The Observatory notes that data from electronic invoices provided by the Federal Revenue Service reveal that smartphones lead Brazilian e-commerce sales, generating BRL 10.3 billion in 2023. They are followed by books, brochures, and printed materials with BRL 6.4 billion; televisions with BRL 5.3 billion; refrigerators and freezers with BRL 5 billion; tablets with BRL 4.4 billion; and food supplements with BRL 3.7 billion.
Joining online commerce
The Observatory’s data revealed significant regional differences in Brazilian e-commerce. The Southeast continued to dominate the e-commerce scene, accounting for 73.5 percent of online sales, while the South followed with 15.2 percent.
The Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, along with the Brazilian Industrial Development Agency, is developing the E-commerce.BR project to boost online commerce adoption among small businesses. Set to launch by year-end, the project aims to enhance financial performance through innovative solutions, particularly in regions where e-commerce is still emerging. Notably, interstate transactions account for 62 percent of e-commerce flow, surpassing the 38 percent for intra-state transactions.
