UPDATE 1-Brazil Sept trade surplus lower than expected

* Brazil posts Sept trade surplus of $1.33 billion

* Trade surplus was lower than expected

* Imports grow by more than exports

(Adds details from report)

BRASILIA, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Brazil posted a lower-than-expected trade surplus in September with imports growing by more than exports, as Latin America's largest economy regained its footing.

Brazil posted a trade surplus BRTBAL=ECI of $1.33 billion in September, down from a surplus of $3.074 billion in August, the trade ministry said on Thursday.

The country was expected to report a trade surplus of $2.2 billion last month, according to the median forecast of 18 economists surveyed by Reuters. Estimates ranged from $1.7 billion to $2.5 billion.

Exports rose to $13.86 billion from $13.83 billion.

Imports jumped to $12.53 billion from $10.77 billion.

(Reporting by Elzio Barreto; Writing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)