Bunge, the global agribusiness and food company, has temporarily suspended activities at its soybean crushing unit and port terminal in the city of Rio Grande, Brazil, effective from Thursday.
The decision was made due to forecasts of possible flooding in the region in the coming days, the company said in a statement to Reuters.
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southernmost state, has been hit by relentless rains that have flooded entire towns, left grain fields under water, killed people and livestock, and destroyed critical infrastructure. As the world’s largest soybean producer and exporter, these weather-related disruptions in the state are of significant concern.
Bunge stated that the suspension of operations at its local facilities, which employ 305 people, is a priority to ensure the safety of its employees. The company added that it will continue to monitor the situation and provide necessary support to its workforce.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of each of the 305 employees who work at our local facilities,” Bunge said. “Operations will be suspended until there is a possibility of a safe return.”
The temporary halt to Bunge’s soy crushing and port activities in Rio Grande do Sul underscores the severe impact that the ongoing floods are having on the region’s critical agricultural infrastructure and operations.