Due to the paving of the BR-163 highway and the recent works in port terminals, the flow of the grain harvest in ports of Brazil’s Northern Arc has become increasingly important. Figures from the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq) show that 31.9% of Brazil’s soybeans and corn went to the foreign market through these routes in 2019. In 2010, the volume of both grains shipped by the country was 14.4% of the total. During the eight months of this year, the numbers are 31% of corn and 34% of soybeans. Other important investments were made, such as the expansion of the North-South Railway and the construction of the Grain Terminal in Maranhão (Tegram); to BR-364, known as Rio Madeira; the structuring of the Tapajós River Waterway and the construction of the Port of Barcarena (PA). As a result, the four main ports of the Northern Arc increased their capacity to 37 million tons, about 3.7 million per harvest.
Source: Revista Globo Rural
*Translated by Ia Niani