PARANAGUÁ, BRAZIL — The Port of Paranaguá soy exports tripled in September to 460,000 tonnes, up from 136,000 tonnes compared to the same time last year.

Agriculture producers in the Paraná, Brazil area took advantage of the currency’s surge to sell the remainder of the summer harvest, causing the high export activity.
 
Soybean meal also closed the month with a 53% increase to 351,000 tonnes, compared to 229,000 tonnes in September 2014. 

José Richa Son, secretary of infrastructure and logistics at Port Administration of Paranaguá and Antonina (APPA), said the high productivity is also a result of the investments and upgrades that have been made to the port. On Oct. 20, the third of four new shiploaders began operations to increase export efficiency.

The new shiploaders can operate at a speed of 2,000 tonnes per hour. They will increase the export corridor capacity by 33% and enlarge the loading capacity for the next grain crop.

General total exports in September increased 26.9% from 1.88 million tonnes to 2.4 million tonnes.

Cargo handling for September increased 7%, or 210,000 tonnes, to total 3.38 million tonnes, compared to the same time last year.

Despite the excessive rainfall, the port experienced an increase in activity.

"Eleven days of rain in September and, even so, we were able to triple the export of soybeans," said Luiz Henrique, president of APPA. .

The solid bulk handling in September was 20% higher than the same time last year, with 2.4 million tonnes moved throughout the month.

Liquid bulk also saw an increase of 18.5%, and 355,000 tonnes were either exported or imported.