New DataLiner Data Show Brazilian Container Throughput Hits Record High in January

Newly released data from Datamar’s Business Intelligence team on Brazilian container throughput show that the country imported 300,504 TEUs in January, an 18.7% increase from the same month last year. This marks the highest import volume in the past decade.

Brazilian Container Imports | Jan 2021 – Jan 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

China remains Brazil’s top source of containerized imports in the first month of 2025. Shipments from the Asian country surged 25.2% compared to January 2024. Meanwhile, imports from the United States—Brazil’s second-largest trade partner—dropped 6.5% year over year. Imports from India (+62.6%) and Italy (+42.3%) saw a significant uptick.

Reactors, boilers, and machinery were Brazil’s most-imported product category in January 2024, with a 40.1% increase over the previous year. Electrical equipment followed, up 35%, while plastics saw a modest 4.6% rise.

Brazilian containerized exports also performed strongly in January, with shipments rising 6.1%—the highest January figure in a decade.

Brazilian Container Exports | Jan 2021 – Jan 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

China remains the top destination for Brazilian containerized exports, although shipments to the country fell 19.4% in January compared to the same period last year. Exports to the United States remained nearly unchanged, edging up 1.1%. Meanwhile, shipments to Mexico—the third-largest destination for Brazilian container exports—dropped 16.1%. On the other hand, exports to Vietnam surged 59.6% year over year.

Meat continues to be Brazil’s top export category in January 2025, with a 9.6% increase from the same month last year, followed by wood (-10.3%), cotton (+41.5%), and coffee, tea, mate, and spices (+11.5%).

Plate Region Performance

Argentina posted a 3.6% increase in containerized exports in January 2025 compared to January 2024, while imports surged 47.7%.

Paraguay, however, saw an 18.5% drop in exports and a 45% decline in imports over the same period.

Uruguay also recorded declines, with exports down 4.6% and imports falling 5% year over year.

Plate Region Container Exports | Jan 2021 – Jan 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Plate Region Container Imports | Jan 2021 – Jan 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Outlook

According to a report by Bradesco, the impact of rising global economic uncertainty on Brazil remains difficult to quantify. “A potential increase in reciprocal tariffs may slightly reduce our exports, though it is unlikely to significantly affect the country’s external fundamentals. So far, the impact on asset prices, particularly exchange rates, has been limited,” the document states.

“On one hand, uncertainty could foster a more risk-averse environment. On the other hand, expectations of a slowdown in the U.S. economy could weaken the U.S. dollar. This is a key concern regarding the external outlook—a sharper-than-expected downturn in the U.S. economy, given heightened uncertainty and declining confidence in a volatile environment with potentially higher costs for businesses and households. In any case, the situation remains fluid, with multiple shifts in recent days, including tariff announcements and geopolitical strategies. However, it is worth noting that Brazil is not among the primary targets of the new U.S. administration’s trade policies,” the report adds.

In 2025, Brazil’s maritime transport sector is expected to undergo a period of adjustment to new environmental regulations, the adoption of innovative technologies, and global economic challenges. Additionally, investments in port infrastructure and the modernization of Brazilian terminals will be critical for the sector’s continued growth.

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