The Port of Santos shipped more than 26 million tonnes of sugar in 2024, representing 14.6% of total local throughput and 72% of Brazil’s sugar exports, according to data from the Santos Port Authority (APS). However, the Sugar and Alcohol Exporters Association (Aexa) warns that inadequate infrastructure and taxation are undermining the product’s competitiveness in international markets.
The issue was discussed during an industry event in Santos last week. At the event, APS Operations Director Beto Mendes presented cargo figures that place Santos as the leader among Brazil’s five main ports.
“In 2024, the Port of Santos alone handled more cargo than Paranaguá (PR), Antonina (PR), Itaguaí (RJ), and Itaqui (MA) combined. That was 179.8 million tonnes compared with 161 million tonnes at those four ports together,” Mendes said. “To give you an idea of its relevance, 29% of the country’s net trade flows through here,” he added.
Brazilian Sugar Exports via Port of Santos | Jan 2022 to Aug 2025 | WTMT
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Rail transport
Almost all of the sugar cargo—94%—arrives at the Port of Santos by rail. The main destinations are China, India, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Despite record volumes, Mendes warned of signs of a slowdown in 2025.
“For sugar specifically, our share of port throughput this year is 11.4%, compared with 14.6% last year. That’s a warning signal for the entire sector. We are relying on dialogue and ongoing trade talks to address the impacts of tariffs and other market challenges,” he said.
Outlook
Still, Aexa Executive Secretary Angela Quintanilha stressed that the discussion should not focus only on current performance but also on future bottlenecks.
“Sugar is the second most exported product through the Port of Santos, but, along with other agribusiness sectors, it faces challenges related to access to infrastructure and taxation,” she said.
She highlighted the importance of ongoing debates over Bill /2024, on railways, and Bill /2025, on port regulation. “It is essential to ensure the right conditions so that these records can be sustained and not become bottlenecks to competitiveness,” Angela emphasized.
The discussions took place at the 1st Sugar Day, held on September 25 by the Santos Commercial Association (ACS) in partnership with Aexa.
Source: A Tribuna
