Brazil’s Exports to Pick Up With Improved Weather at the Ports

The export of soybeans and corn from Brazil is expected to increase this week as dryer weather moves in along the southeast coast of Brazil allowing for more loading activity at the ports of Paranagua and Santos. At both ports, recent loading activity has been slowed by wet weather because vessels must close their holds during periods of rainy weather.

Wet weather during the first half of March disrupted loading activity at both ports. During the first 16 days or March, wet weather at the Port of Paranagua stopped loading activities for the equivalent of almost seven days.

Loading activity should pick up this week with the onset of dryer weather. The Port of Paranagua is expected to receive 46 mm of rainfall this week (1.8 inches) compared to 81.6 mm last week (3.2 inches). The Port of Santos is expected to receive 26.6 mm of rainfall this week (1.0 inches) compared to 118.4 mm last week (4.7 inches).

In recent days, there have been minor disruptions due to landslides temporarily blocking part of the main highway leading to the Port of Paranagua and a secondary highway leading to the Port of Santos, but these disruptions have been minor compared to the frequent rains at the ports themselves.

Wait times at the Port of Paranagua have been in the range of 35 days, but loading activity should accelerate with the onset of dryer weather.

Tags: ports, Santos, corn, export, Brazil, weather, rainfall, soybeans, Paranagua