The port of Ilha de Areia Branca in Brazil, which is run by the CODERN port company, is reporting major increases in export salt traffic from its dedicated terminal. In April alone, traffic was up 183% compared to the same month in 2013. In total for that month, 147,100 tonnes of salt was handled. Overall, for the year, the terminal suggested that the business was up by at least 40%.
The upswing is down to low rainfall and a return of confidence in local salt production. In recent years, local companies have also been able to find overseas markets for their product. At the same time, salt exports from competitors in Chile have fallen. The lack of rainfall has also been extremely helpful, since previously downpours have damage production.
Barry Cross