ANALYSIS OF BRAZILIAN EXPORTS OF CONIFER WOOD MOLDINGS THROUGH GRAVITY TRADE MODEL1

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze Brazilian exports of softwood moldings between the years 1997-2013, by means of a gravity trade model. The main explanatory variables used were GDP of Brazil, importing country´s GDP, and distance between Brazil and its trade partner. The results showed that all variables had the expected behavior. The variables´ coefficient of GDP of Brazil and the importing country's GDP presented a positive influence on trade flow of softwood moldings. The distance coefficient presented a negative influence on trade flow, which showed to be a barrier to Brazilian exports of this product. Results also show that the level of trade is more influenced by the GDP in Brazil than at the importing country's GDP.