Latin American Grain Exports Strain Port Operations Amid Seasonal Rush

By Maria Kalamatas | July 22, 2025

Section: International / Maritime & Agricultural Logistics

Buenos Aires, July 22 — Major grain ports across Argentina and Brazil are facing heavy congestion as peak-season corn and wheat exports flood terminals, creating backlogs both on land and at sea.

“Berth schedules are packed, and truck queues outside the terminals stretch for kilometers,” said Diego Salazar, logistics director at a grain trading company based in Rosario. “We’re coordinating 24-hour operations just to keep cargo flowing.”

Seasonal volumes at record levels

Export data from regional authorities shows shipments of corn and wheat in July running nearly 25 percent above last year’s seasonal average, as traders rush to meet contracts with buyers in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

“This year’s harvest came in strong, and global demand is robust,” Salazar noted. “But our infrastructure is being tested.”

Terminals running at capacity

Storage silos and loading berths at Rosario, Paranaguá, and Santos are operating at full tilt. Some exporters are diverting cargo to smaller ports or delaying loadings until additional vessels arrive.

“Every slot is being used, but bottlenecks are inevitable at these volumes,” Salazar said.

Freight and demurrage costs rise

With wait times mounting, charterers are paying higher demurrage fees and spot freight rates are climbing for Panamax and Handymax vessels.

“For major grain houses, it’s part of the game,” said Valeria Ruiz, a shipping analyst in Montevideo. “For smaller traders, these delays cut deeply into margins.”

Looking ahead

Analysts expect strong export activity to continue through mid-August, with congestion easing only after peak contracts are fulfilled.

“The pressure will remain until volumes taper off,” Ruiz said. “Until then, every hour in port matters.”

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