Paraguay may have a record soybean harvest, but low river levels affect exports

Published 2024년 4월 18일

Tridge summary

Paraguay is poised to achieve a record soybean harvest, projecting a production of 10.4 million tons, which positions it as the third largest global soybean exporter. Despite this, the country faces logistical challenges due to low water levels in the Paraguay-Paraná waterway, a consequence of a drought in Brazil. This situation has led to reduced cargo capacity for barges, causing delays in soybean exports. Nevertheless, exports have risen to 2.5 million tons in the first quarter of the year, up from 1.6 million tons the previous year. The scenario is exacerbated by labor movements in Brazil and a persistent drought in Brazil's Pantanal region, posing ongoing threats to river transport efficiency and soybean export volumes.

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Original content

By Daniela Desantis and Lucinda Elliott ASUNCION (Reuters) - Paraguay is heading for a record soybean harvest, but exporters are worried about low river levels, which are delaying shipments along the important Paraguay-Paraná waterway, with a drought in central-western Brazil. Brazil affecting water levels downstream. Industry sources and an analysis of river level data showed that the Paraguay River, the main channel used for the landlocked country's grain exports, is much shallower than at this time last year, affecting the barges that transport grains downstream. Paraguay is the third largest exporter of soybeans in the world and is finishing its oilseed harvest, with a record production forecast of 10.4 million tons. Among its main soy exporters are Cargill, Viterra and Bunge. "Low rivers mean that barges cannot carry as much cargo, which delays the entire process," said Sonia Tomassone, foreign trade advisor at the Paraguayan Chamber of Oilseed and Cereal Exporters (CAPECO). ...

Source: NoticiasAgricolas