Brazilian volumes almost reach previous record levels

ANTAQ predicts volume for the full year will reach 760m tonnes, which would almost equal the record of 768m tonnes, indicating a near complete recovery from the economic crisis.

The greatest growth so far this year was in bulk trades, particularly iron ore, much of which is exported to China, the Far East and Europe. Chemicals, soybeans, bauxite, sugar, fertilisers, and steel also registered double-digit gains.

ANTAQ data shows Brazil’s container trade rebounding from the steep decline that followed the onset of the 2008 financial crisis. Thanks largely to a resurgent domestic demand for imported goods, container throughput was up by 18.6% for Q1 to 1.29m teu and by 14.3% for the first nine months to 4.08m teu from 2009. However, despite the improvement, volumes still remain below the record levels of 2008.