South America Calling

Brazil exported a record volume of soybeans for one month in April, continuing the impressive performance of the ports this year.

Shipments totaled 8.25 million metric tons, surpassing the previous record of 7.95 mmt sent in May 2013.

With April's shipments, Brazil exported 17 mmt in the first four months of the year, well up on the 11.6 mmt exported last year and already corresponding to 40% of all projected shipments.

Small improvements to Brazil's infrastructure and better organization of truck deliveries have improved port performance, while dry weather has allowed for uninterrupted operations at Paranagua and Santos ports -- berths are not covered and loading has to stop when it rains.

Brazil also benefited from an early start to the export season, shipping 2.8 mmt in February -- a month in which little is traditionally shipped.

April soybean exports raised $4.1 billion, equivalent to nearly 20% of all Brazilian export revenue last month.

(AG)

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