North Arc consolidates leadership in fertilizer imports and grain exports

The North Arc region has established itself as Brazil’s main logistics corridor for the inflow and outflow of agricultural inputs and products. The data comes from the 2026 Agrologistics Yearbook – Volume 3, released on Tuesday (26) by the National Supply Company (Conab). The port complex has surpassed the traditional Port of Paranaguá.

The shift in trade flows began in 2024 and gained momentum throughout 2025. Last year, northern terminals handled 13.36 million tonnes of fertilizers and soil nutrients. By comparison, the Port of Paranaguá recorded the unloading of 10.89 million tonnes of the same chemical inputs.

Imports through the northern port cluster increased by 62.7% between 2021 and 2025. Conab President Sílvio Porto said the relocation of routes from the South to the North optimized operating costs. Government investments in transport infrastructure also shortened distances.

The economic efficiency of the North Arc is supported by the logistics model known as return freight. Trucks and railcars transport soybeans and corn to the ports. On the return trip, the same vehicles transport phosphate fertilizers, urea, and potash back to farms.

Conab’s Director of Operations and Supply, Arnoldo de Campos, emphasized the federal government’s role in maintaining the system. “This makes clear the importance of continuing investments in transport systems,” he said. The integration of the production chain increases Brazil’s competitiveness.

The Port of Itaqui led regional unloading operations, accounting for 34% of imported fertilizers.

Datamar data shows a 39.2% surge in imported fertilizer volumes arriving at the Port of Itaqui between January and April 2024. The following breakdown tracks monthly import figures, based on data available on the DataLiner platform:

Fertilizer Imports | Jan 2023 – Apr 2026 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

The Port of Santarém handled 22% of the volume, receiving cargo destined for Mato Grosso. The port of Salvador accounted for 21% of total volume, focusing on serving the Matopiba agricultural region.

The rise in fertilizer imports directly reflects producers’ growing preference for the North Arc as an export route for harvests. According to Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services (MDIC), grain exports through the region have risen 59% since 2021. Volumes increased from 36.56 million tonnes to 58.06 million tonnes in 2025.

The Port of Itacoatiara posted the highest percentage growth, with a 188% increase during the analyzed period. In Brazil’s overall soybean exports in 2025, northern terminals shipped 36.2% of the national volume of 108.18 million tonnes. For corn, the region accounted for 48% of the 40.98 million tonnes traded.

The consolidation of the logistics corridor has also sparked debate over the territorial impacts caused by agricultural expansion in the Amazon region. Conab’s president noted that the advance raises concerns over deforestation and land-use conflicts. The region’s strategic plan includes the addition of new transport modes in Rondônia, Pará, and Amapá.

Source: News Rondônia

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