Port of São Francisco: Agriculture brings about 15% boost in cargo volume

Cargo throughput at the Port of São Francisco do Sul continues to surge, even after record-breaking figures in 2023.

In January, the loading and unloading of goods engaged 1.44 million tonnes, an additional 190,000 tonnes from the same month last year (1.25 million), up 15%.

Two factors related to the vitality of the national agriculture sector were instrumental in achieving this boost: the importation of fertilizers and the exportation of soybeans.

“In past years, months without the shipment of soybeans or corn were not unheard of. For instance, in January 2023, there was no soybean movement [at the port]. However, this January, 200,000 tonnes were exported,” explains the Port’s president, Cleverton Vieira.

The importation of fertilizers, essential nutrients for productivity enhancement, surged by 52% compared to the same month last year, rising from 166,000 tonnes to 253,000 tonnes in January.

“The Port plays a crucial role in the region’s agriculture: it imports fertilizers from the Middle East, which aids the development of soybeans and corn crops, and on the other end, exports the grain to China,” adds Vieira.

In January, exports totaled 781,000 tonnes (54%), primarily driven by corn (561,000 tonnes) and soybeans (200,000 tonnes).

Imports reached 658,000 tonnes (46%), with notable mentions for steel products (328,000 tonnes) and fertilizers (253,000 tonnes).

The chart below shows the top cargo handled at the Port of São Francisco do Sul between January and December last year. The data is from DataLiner.

Top Cargo | São Francisco do Sul | 2023 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Seventh Largest Public Port in Brazil

Earlier this month, the National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ) confirmed that São Francisco do Sul secured the seventh position in the ranking of Brazil’s largest public ports.

Official data, released by the Ministry of Infrastructure, indicated that the terminal in Northern Santa Catarina ascended two positions compared to the previous year, when it stood at 9th place.

Historical Record

The promotion in the national ranking was a consequence of the historical throughput achieved in 2023 when São Francisco shipped and received 16.8 million tonnes of goods, a 33% increase compared to 2022.

Among the top 10 public ports in the country, it experienced the highest growth rate (33%), and among all 32 public terminals, it achieved the second-highest percentage of growth.

Largest Port in Santa Catarina

In November, ANTAQ revealed that São Francisco do Sul had taken the lead in cargo movement among the ports of Santa Catarina, surpassing the privately-owned terminals Portonave and Itapoá, becoming the largest in the state.

Last year, São Francisco also led in cargo volume growth among the ports of Santa Catarina, with an increase of 33%. Following it were Portonave (+23%) and Itapoá (+20%).

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