Brazilian ports of the Northern Arc handled 33% of soy exports in the first half of this year, with 19.2 million tons of the 57.7 million that left the country. Shipments of grains through the Northern Arc reduce transports costs and give a boost to the sector. This advantage is not so evident now, for prices of grain are higher, however, it will be felt when prices of commodities start to decline in the domestic and foreign markets. Antonio Galvan, president of Aprosoja Brasil, says that prices in Mato Grosso are starting to get closer to those in Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul. Transport costs are lower, making the producer gets a higher added value. This great movement through the northern arch is due to the main Brazilian grain producing state, Mato Grosso. More than half of the state’s soy exports are made through the Nothern Arc. This year, it was 54%, while ten years ago, it was only 16%. The output of corn through these ports also increased, reaching 29% in the first half of this year.
Sources: Valor/Portos e Navios (*Translated by Ia Niani)