DataLiner data shows drop in container shipping trade on East Coast South America

With DataLiner data for April almost complete, it can be seen that in the first four months of this year, container exports fell 1.9% compared to the same period last year, reaching 1.02 million TEU. Imports reached 1 million TEU, an increase of 2% in relation to the first four months of the previous year.

When analyzing these figures, one can have a false impression that Covid-19 did not significantly impact foreign trade in the ECSA region. But, if we analyze monthly data, the story is different. This is because container shipping in the first three months of the year was going at a good pace, with growth in relation to the first quarter of 2019.  However, both imports and exports have plummeted in April 2020 compared to April 2019. Brazil exported 20% less cargo in containers in April 2020 and imported 15% less during the month.

In the vehicles and auto parts category, for example, April 2020 exports dropped 74.2% compared to April 2019. On a positive note is the 41% growth seen in fertilizer imports in April 2020 compared to April 2019, propped up by demand from the agribusiness sector.  Exports from this sector, (much of which is not containerized) continued to grow in April.  Data for the coming months will be much more telling about the full impact of the coronavirus pandemic on East Coast South America’s container shipping. (Click here to request a DataLiner demo)

Sharing is caring!