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

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). ...