Brazilian ports cause loss of US$ 1.6 MM to coffee exporters

Outdated infrastructure in Brazilian ports keeps posing significant losses to coffee exporters. According to CECAFÉ, the logistic bottlenecks impeded the shipment of 2,065 containers in October 2025, equivalent to 681,590 bags of 60 Kg. Primarily, extra costs with warehousing, pre stacking and detentions summed up US$ 1.6 MM (R$ 8.7 MM) to the companies.

Besides, the failure in shipments of coffee prevented Brazil from receiving US$ 278.08 MM (R$ 1,497 bn) in foreign exchange revenue in October 2025. The calculation considers average FOB price US$ 407.99 per bag and average Dollar at R$ 5,3849.

Logistcs for coffee exporters still under pressure

As mentioned by Eduardo Heron, CECAFÉ’s Technical Director, the scenario at Brazilian ports has been getting worse. Specially in Santos, where almost 80% of Brazilian coffee exports take place.

“We’ve been warning for too long about the chaotic scenario of our ports’ infrastructure. Specially in Santos, the largest port in South hemisphere”, he declared.

Heron said that some enhancements announced (as deepening of port’s draft, new links at Anchieta Road, and second access ramp to the pier) may take at least five years to be delivered.

Constant delays affect competitiveness

New DTZ Report (Boletim Detention Zero), produced by Ellox Digital, with support from CECAFÉ, indicate that 52% of ships have faced whether delays or change in schedule in October.

In Santos Port, this index reached 73% out of total ships. The largest waiting time registered was 61 days.

The situation reduces the chances of timely shipment: Only 3% of the operations had more than 4 days of open gate. Other 48% where between three and four days, and 49% had no more than two days.

Bottlenecks also in Rio de Janeiro

Potuary complex in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) is Brazil’s second larger exporting port for coffee. It responded for more than 17.4% of the share of shipments between January and October 2025. And it had delay index of 30% in September 2025, with largest interval of 77 days between the first and last deadline. Such numbers indicate that 34 out of 113 ships available for coffee exports faced change in schedule.

Still in October 2025, 22% of exportation processes had more that 4 days of open gate by ship in the ports of Rio de Janeiro. Meanwhile, 48% registered between 3 and 4 days, and 30% less than 2 days.

Pictures / release: CECAFÉ