Cargo activity grows 3.2% in Santos
Valor Econômico
The increase of 3.2% in the activities in the port of Santos, from January to May, to 31.2 million tons, shows the trend of the Brazilian trade balance. Considered good, such performance is attributed to the increase of the exports, focused on agricultural products, whose demand, after reaching the bottom of the well, has been resumed.
The rhythm of the total shipments increased 20.6%, to 23.2 million tons, with outstanding performances of sugar, coffee, corn, vegetal oil, citrus pellets and soy beans, according to Codesp, State Company that manages the port. The demand for sugar increased 59.5% (5.5 million tons), compared to the same period of 2008. Coffee beans, 36.3%; corn, 223.8% with 852,802 tons; soy beans, 25.5%, related to 5.5 million tons.
The imports, from January to May, decreased 26.4%, to 8 million tons, pushed by the fall in the purchase of fertilizers (58.9%), to 541,24 thousand tons; ammonia, with less 17.3%; coal (less 25.3%, to 961,78 thousand), among others.
The segment of containers presented an international adverse situation in products of greater added value (exports and imports). Until May, the reduction of activity amounted to 18.8%, to 863.8 thousand (corresponding to 9.1 million tons of several products).
The performance in the first five months benefited from the operations of the month of May, which increased 11.3% to 7.5 million tons. Codesp says it was a historical record for that month. In line with the trend, the exports went 26.6% up and imports 21.6% down. Codesp projects, with these numbers, an activity equivalent to 81.4 million tons in 2009, slightly above that of 2008, with 81 million.