Among Brazilian ports with the largest contribution to the country's export revenues the Port of Paranaguá, in the southern state of Paraná, ranks as number 3. According to the Brazilian Revenue Service, from January to May, the terminal generated US$ 5.6 billion in export revenues.
It loses only to the ports of Vitória, in the state of Espírito Santo and Santos, in São Paulo. The value is equivalent to 7.7% of Brazilian export revenues, which totaled US$ 72.9 billion during the period.
Information supplied by the Paranaguá and Antonina Ports Administration (Appa) shows that during the period, there was an expansion in shipments to the Middle East and North Africa. From January to May this year, tax revenues from exports to the Arab market totaled US$ 378.4 million. This means growth of 54.2% in comparison with the US$ 245.4 million recorded in the first five months of 2006.
In a comparison between 2007 and 2006, tax revenues from exports to the Arab market by the terminal in Paraná grew 17.2%. The volume of funds rose from US$ 581.8 million to US$ 681.7 million. Last year, the leading destination for shipments from Paranaguá to the region was Saudi Arabia, at US$ 274.3 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates, at US$ 129.2 million, and Egypt, at US$ 84.5 million.
In the first five months this year, shipments from the Port of Paranaguá totaled 10 million tonnes. The value is 29% greater than recorded during the same period last year. Revenues from meat exports are on top of the list. Between January and May 2008, they were little above US$ 1 billion, growth of 39% in comparison with the same period of 2007.
Between January and May, Brazil imported the equivalent to US$ 63.3 billion, growth of 47% compared with the same period of 2007. The Port of Paranaguá answered to 4.4% of that value, or US$ 3.2 billion, with approximately 5 million tonnes shipped. The volume is 57% greater than recorded in the same period last year.
Fertilizers were the main products in the list of goods arriving in Paranaguá, which is the leading terminal for receiving the input in Brazil. Imports of the item answered to approximately US$ 1 billion, growth of 67% compared with the same period last year. Next came vehicles, tractors, and capital goods.
Omar Nasser works for the Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná (Fiep).
