March 30, 2020

Brazil seeks to ensure grains, feed and meat transports keep moving

The Agriculture Ministry labelled truck stops, petrol stations and highway eateries as essential services so grains, feed and meat transports keep moving to supply domestic and international markets, reported Reuters.

This is because of strict quarantine restrictions imposed by state and municipalities in the country's battle against COVID-19, which threatens its food production and food transportation.

The imposed restrictions hampers transporters journeys, as they have to travel as much as 2,000 km to ship grains to ports. Without a strong railway, Brazil leans on cargo trucks to transport grains, feed and meat around the country.

Brazil is biggest exporter of soy and beef.

One of the country's top freight companies SotranLogística said its business has grown 30% in March to ship grains, a majority of which are soybeans. It expects business to grow by 40% in April 2020.

Abiove said costs to transport freight has gone up as transporters are reluctant to travel far due to COVID-19.

In addition to highway rest areas and convenience stores, other essential services under the ministry's order include ports, warehouses, railways and highways, as well as agricultural and food processing facilities.

President of Aprosoja, Brazil's grain grower group Bartolomeu Braz said the country continues to harvest and export soybeans without any disruptuons.

-      Reuters