Port of Paranaguá ships more than 127,000 tons of sugar

A special operation was set up at the Port of Paranaguá to meet strong demand for sugar exports, as Port of Paranaguá sugar exports gain momentum during Brazil’s peak shipping season. The operation began on August 19 with the berthing of three vessels, each receiving an average of 27,000 metric tons of bagged sugar. Another 46,200 metric tons of bulk sugar were loaded onto a fourth vessel.

Bagged sugar operations require a large workforce organized across four shifts. In all, 1,380 people are involved in the process, including casual dockworkers, truck drivers, weighbridge operators, tally clerks, forklift operators, bag handlers and general service assistants.

Another three vessels are already waiting to berth and begin loading. The more intense pace of operations is expected to continue through the end of October.

Paranaguá, in southern Brazil’s Paraná state, is the country’s second-largest sugar export port, accounting for about 20% of Brazilian sugar exports. The main buyers are countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Europe and North America also import sugar through Paranaguá, but in smaller volumes.

The stronger sugar movement seen in August is directly linked to India’s decision to suspend sugar exports until the end of September. The measure is intended to protect domestic supply amid concerns over a possible shortage of sugar and other sugarcane-based products, as the crop has been affected by weather conditions.

Because India is the world’s second-largest sugar exporter, its absence from the global market has opened additional opportunities for Brazilian sugar. Brazil leads global sugar production and exports and supplies about 25% of the international market.

Sugar is a key cargo for Paraná ports

Sugar is one of the main export products handled at the Port of Paranaguá. Together, bagged and bulk sugar accounted for 6.74 million metric tons shipped in 2025.

That volume represented nearly 15% of the 46.06 million metric tons exported by Portos do Paraná, the state-owned company that manages Paraná’s public ports, last year. Sugar was the second-largest individual export cargo, behind only soybeans.

By the end of the first half of 2026, bagged sugar exports through Portos do Paraná were already up 18% from 2025, reaching 380,800 metric tons. Most sugar exports, however, move in bulk, totaling 1.45 million metric tons in the first six months of 2026.

The chart below shows monthly sugar export volumes from the Port of Paranaguá, according to Datamar data:

Sugar Exports – Port of Paranaguá | H1 | 2022-2026 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Paranaguá exports continue to grow in 2026

Beyond sugar, Portos do Paraná has continued to post growth across several operating segments. As is historically the case, solid bulk volumes tend to increase from July onward, especially soybeans, soybean meal and corn.

Containerized cargo exports through Paranaguá have also been expanding. In the first half of 2026, the volume of products exported by container rose 10%.

The latest loading operation reinforces the role of Port of Paranaguá sugar exports in Brazil’s foreign trade, especially as global buyers look for alternatives during a period of tighter international sugar supply.

Source: A Rede

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