By PortalPortuario Editorial Staff
With over six million tons handled, Portos do Paraná recorded its best April in history, with an 11% increase compared to April 2025. The data is contained in a report prepared by the statistics team of the Port Operations Directorate of the public company.
In April alone, export volume grew 16.06% compared to the same month of the previous year. Soybean grain shipments increased 43%, vegetable oils 35%, and petroleum derivatives 33%.
In the cumulative period between January and April, soybeans continue to rise, with a 19% growth. Vegetable oils advanced 33%, followed by containerized cargo exports, with an increase of 9%, and petroleum derivatives, with a 2% increase compared to the first four months of 2025.
Paranaguá maintains a leading role in meat exports
Frozen chicken meat exports grew 10.5% compared to April 2025. In the year-to-date, shipments made in Paranaguá represent 47.5% of all Brazilian exports of the product. This corresponds to more than 834 thousand tons sent to other countries.
Considering all animal proteins, growth in April was 8.7%, with over 1.1 million tons shipped, mainly to China, South Africa, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. The volume represents 38% of all animal protein exports made by Brazil in the first four months of 2026.
Cargo diversification maintains operational balance
In April, imports grew 2.7% compared to the same month of 2025. General cargo — handled outside containers — recorded a 254% increase. Wheat unloading showed a 50% growth, followed by fertilizers (18%) and containers (14%).
In the cumulative total for the first four months of the year, however, imports show a 5.8% contraction. The result, however, indicates a recovery compared to the months of February and March, when cargo movements from other countries recorded even lower rates. The drop in imports is directly related to the conflict in the Middle East.
Despite this, the diversity of cargo handled by the ports of Paranaguá and Antonina ensured stability for the cumulative four-month balance, which reached 22.7 million tons, a volume in line with that recorded in the same period of 2025.
The movement of rolling cargo — such as vehicles, machinery, and agricultural equipment — also contributed to maintaining operational balance. In April alone, more than 15.5 thousand units were loaded or unloaded. Between January and April, the total movement amounted to 42,657 units.
