BR-163 remains closed affecting 210,000 tons of soy exports

The Brazilian Vegetable Oil Industry Association (Abiove) estimates that the Port of Barcarena has missed out on shipping a total of R$242m worth of soybeans and corn over the last six days due to a road-blockage on the BR-163. Heavy rains have caused large potholes on a stretch of the road in the southwest of Pará, between Novo Progresso and Moraes Almeida (refer to the map below). Grain arriving at Mirituba in Pará by truck is unloaded and then sent in barges to Barcarena.

According to the latest bulletin from Brazil’s National Transport Infrastructure Department, DNIT, the stretch of road is closed while the state completes emergency repair work to five segments. Over the last six days around 3,000 grain trucks have been stranded; many are now returning to Mato Grosso to seek alternative export routes. Abiove reports that up to 210,000 tons of soybean and corn have been affected so far as a result of the stoppage.

Brazil shipped 29.6m tons of soybean and corn via northern ports in 2018, up from 6.1m ton in 2010, according to data from Antaq. Shippers prefer the Port of Barcarena due to its proximity to the Panama Canal, reducing the distance to export to Asian countries, such as China, as well as the USA and Europe. Last week DatamarNews reported the authorities closed part of the BR-163, in the Serra da Anita area, due to heavy rain.

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