Sugar, cotton, coffee and corn-ethanol groups back opening of Tecon Santos 10 auction

Four major organizations in Brazilian agribusiness — the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (CECAFÉ), the Logistics Committee of the National Cotton Exporters Association (ANEA), the Deliberative Council of the Sugar Exporters Association (AEXA), and the National Union of Corn Ethanol (UNEM) — have expressed support for the immediate opening of the Tecon Santos 10 auction. The position was presented during a hearing in the Chamber of Deputies on November 25 and reinforced in an official statement by UNEM.

These organizations represent supply chains that together handle tens of billions of dollars in exports and depend directly on the Port of Santos’ logistical efficiency, the main gateway for Brazilian agricultural production.

ANEA stressed that decisions regarding Tecon Santos 10 must follow technical criteria and reflect the reality faced by port users. The association’s 17 members, responsible for more than 90% of Brazilian cotton exports, advocate for transparency, predictability, and assertiveness in the process — essential for a sector that generated more than US$4 billion in exports in 2024.

AEXA highlighted that Brazil remains the world’s largest sugar producer, with nearly 44 million tonnes in the 2024/25 harvest, 80% of which is exported. For the association, the Port of Santos is no longer keeping pace with production growth and needs to expand its capacity. AEXA expressed full support for the position of Minister Antônio Anastasia, including the guideline for divestment by operators already active in the port, and argued that the auction should have taken place long ago.

CECAFÉ warned of the losses accumulated by the sector due to the port’s current insufficient operational capacity, including 98 million reais in detention and additional storage, and thousands of containers held throughout the year. The organization stated that public debate must be grounded in data and technical analysis rather than narratives, and reiterated its confidence in the assessments of ANTAQ, TCU, and CADE. For the sector, opening the auction is essential to restoring logistical efficiency and competitiveness.

UNEM expressed unconditional support for a broad, unrestricted auction, arguing that only a whole-competition among the world’s largest operators can ensure efficiency, competitive prices, and quality services for port users.

Founded in 2017, the organization represents companies that helped launch one of Brazil’s most dynamic industries — corn ethanol — which has transformed biofuel production and boosted the animal protein sector. UNEM stressed that access to international markets depends directly on maritime logistics and that the Port of Santos is crucial for the competitiveness of ethanol and its co-products.

The entity argues that unrestricted participation, including by operators already active in the port, increases investment, modernization, and integration with global routes. For UNEM, a broad auction, as highlighted by Minister Anastasia’s vote and validated by the technical rigor of the TCU, is the only way to ensure efficient services, reduce Brazil’s cost, and enhance the competitiveness of national production.

The four organizations reaffirm that the immediate and technically grounded opening of the Tecon Santos 10 auction is essential to ensure logistical efficiency, expand the capacity of the Port of Santos, reduce operational costs, and guarantee that Brazilian agribusiness — responsible for nearly half of the nation’s trade balance — continues to grow with competitiveness, predictability, and alignment with the public interest.

Source: FSB

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