Operations at a major grain transshipment hub in Rondonopolis, Mato Grosso, have returned to normal after a significant disruption caused by thousands of trucks struggling to unload grains. The facility, managed by Rumo, serves as a crucial link between Brazil’s agricultural heartland and the port of Santos.
Key Highlights:
Disruption Details:
At the peak of the issue, lines of up to 3,500 trucks formed at the Rondonopolis facility, leading to unloading times extending to 24 or even 48 hours.
The ANATC, representing 2.2 million truckers, expressed concern over the alarming situation.
Resolution:
Rumo announced on Wednesday that the bottleneck has been resolved and that operations are now functioning smoothly.
The company emphasized the importance of a scheduling service for the unloading system, noting that punctuality from truck drivers is essential to avoid queues.
Impact on Soybean Exports:
The disruptions come at a time when Brazil’s soybean export program is experiencing a slow start. Exports in January dropped to 1.3 million metric tons, down from 2.4 million tons in the same month last year.
Anec, the grains exporters’ lobby, indicated that recent rains have disrupted soy harvesting and affected truck flow and ship loading times, which may further reduce export volumes in February.
Future Expectations:
Brazil, the world’s largest soybean producer and exporter, is projected to harvest a record soy crop of approximately 170 million metric tons in 2025.
The country is expected to export around 7 million tons more than the previous year, competing primarily with the United States and Argentina in global markets, with China being the largest destination for Brazilian soy.
Recent Incidents:
A fire occurred at Rumo’s Rondonopolis facility last week; however, the company reported that operations continued after the fire was controlled, without detailing any operational impacts.
Rumo operates more than eight trains daily from the facility to Santos, each transporting over 11,500 tons of grain.
Mato Grosso’s Production:
Mato Grosso, Brazil’s leading soybean-producing state, is anticipated to yield around 47 million tons this year.