Portos do Paraná sets historic cargo handling record in the first half of the year

Containerized cargo totaled 8.7 million tonnes, up 8.9% compared to 2025 (TCP/Disclosure)

The ports of Paranaguá and Antonina, in the state of Paraná, recorded their best first half on record, handling 34.44 million tonnes of cargo, including imports and exports, between January and June this year. The volume is 0.6% higher than that recorded during the same period in 2025. The figures were released by the Statistics Center of Portos do Paraná, the authority responsible for managing the ports.

Soybeans were one of the main commodities driving this growth. During the first six months of the year, 9.47 million tonnes of soybeans were exported, a volume 21% higher than in the same period of the previous year. In 2025, soybean shipments totaled 7.86 million tonnes through June.

Containerized cargo reached 8.7 million tonnes, representing an 8.9% increase compared to 2025, when total throughput amounted to 8 million tonnes.

Year to date, Portos do Paraná has exported 22.30 million tonnes of products in 2026. This represents a 4.9% increase compared to the 21.27 million tonnes exported during the first half of 2025. Imports totaled 12.1 million tonnes, reflecting a decline from the 12.9 million tonnes recorded during the same period last year.

Soybean complex

Soybean meal was the second-largest dry bulk commodity exported through Paraná's ports during the year. A total of 3.39 million tonnes were shipped, remaining virtually stable compared to the same period in 2025, when exports reached 3.42 million tonnes.

Combined soybean and soybean meal exports totaled 12.86 million tonnes, accounting for 57.6% of all cargo exported to international markets. According to the latest available data, the Port of Paranaguá ranks as Brazil's second-largest exporter of these two commodities.

Highlights

Vehicle handling has also increased significantly in 2026, rising by 66%. During the first half of the year, 84,800 vehicle movements were recorded, compared to 51,100 during the same period last year. This volume already represents nearly 80% of the total recorded throughout 2025, when 106,700 vehicle movements were registered.

Fertilizers remained the leading import category. During the first half of the year, 4.73 million tonnes were received through the ports of Paraná.