Paraná ports see 28.8% surge in May exports, driven by soy boom

In May 2026 the Portos do Paraná moved 6.12 million tonnes of cargo, 14.3% more than in May 2025. From January to May the total handling reached 28.87 million tonnes, a 2.4% increase over the same period last year. Export volumes rose to 4.04 million tonnes, up 28.8% year‑over‑year, while imports fell to 2.07 million tonnes, about 140 k tonnes less than a year earlier. Soybeans were the main driver, with exports climbing from 831.8 k tonnes to 1.58 million tonnes – a 91% jump that represents 14.2% of Brazil’s total soy shipments. Soymeal also grew, reaching 796 k tonnes, a 27% rise and giving the Port of Paranaguá a 26.5% share of national soymeal exports. Containerised cargo rose by roughly 30 k tonnes, supported largely by frozen animal proteins destined for markets such as China, South Africa, the UAE, the Philippines and Japan. Imports of fertilisers fell 14%, while container imports rose 12%. Director‑president Luiz Fernando Garcia said the performance shows the ports’ competitiveness and justified continued investment in infrastructure, systems and staff training.