The Brazilian port of Rio Grande reported having handled 6.32mt (million tonnes) in the first quarter of this year, equivalent to growth of 25% over 2010. This is the best result posted by the port in the last decade for the first quarter. The previous record had been 5.8mt in 2008.
Wheat exports amounted to 1.28mt, up 250%, with Rio Grande accounting for 65% of all exports of this commodity from the state of Rio Grande. Exports of soyabean meal, at
600,000 tonnes, were up 88%. Grain soya exports amounted to 200,000 tonnes, which is growth of 237% over 2010. Overall, dry bulk products accounted for 51% of the ports total tonnage.
In terms of imports, there were 156,000 tonnes of wheat, up 56% over 2010. Calcium phosphate, with 118,000 tonnes, grew by 100%, while urea imports grew by 91% to 110,000 tonnes.