A staple food in cuisines across Brazil, beans grown in the country are increasingly finding a place in international markets. According to the Brazilian Institute of Beans and Pulses (IBRAFE), 217,000 tons of beans were exported by September 2024.
Bean exports soared at the Paranaguá Container Terminal this year, reaching 176,000 tons by September—approximately 81% of the country’s total exports. The volume, transported in 7,208 TEUs (20-foot container units), represents a 113% growth in the Terminal’s performance compared to the same period in 2023.
“Since beans are a perishable commodity, producers seek greater agility and operational efficiency to ensure their shipments meet importers’ deadlines. In this scenario, TCP stands out as the best option for exports, offering weekly shipping services to the four main buyers of Brazilian beans,” says Carolina Merkle Brown, TCP’s commercial manager for shipping lines.
The most exported variety at TCP is black-eyed peas, which account for 38% of the shipments and are primarily destined for India. Guatemala, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic follow as major importers.
Paraná as a Hub for Pulse Exports
Solely exported in containers due to the need for fumigation to prevent fungus and pest infestations, the pulse market—dry seeds of legumes used in food—has been increasing its volume through Paraná.
Giovanni Guidolim, TCP’s commercial, logistics, and customer service manager, explains: “The Terminal’s partnership with warehouses in Paranaguá’s hinterland and continuous coordination with intervening agencies in the export process ensure that pulse shipments through Paranaguá are both swift and profitable for producers.”
Produced during the off-season in Brazil’s Midwest region, sesame is also gaining traction at the Paranaguá Container Terminal. From January to September 2024, TCP recorded a 5% growth in sesame exports, handling 6,387 TEUs—a volume equivalent to 88,000 tons—with India, Turkey, Guatemala, and Saudi Arabia as the primary destinations.
However, the recently announced opening of the Chinese market to Brazilian sesame, following President Xi Jinping’s visit to Brazil during the G20 summit, could shift this scenario in the near term. Carolina highlights, “Asia is the main destination and origin for maritime services at TCP, accounting for eight of the 25 weekly shipping services available at the Terminal. This robust frequency ensures efficient and reliable logistics, crucial to meeting the growing demand and strict deadlines set by Asian importers, which is expected to further drive sesame shipments through Paranaguá.”
China is the largest sesame importer in the world, representing 36.2% of the global market and accounting for $1.53 billion in imports in 2023.
Guidolim adds, “TCP had already been working proactively with warehouses in Paranaguá’s hinterland, anticipating additional sesame volumes following the Chinese market opening to Brazilian pulses.”
Primarily sourced from Brazil’s Midwest, Southeast, and South regions, pulses exported via TCP arrive at Paranaguá in grain trucks. These loads are unloaded at hinterland warehouses, then stuffed into containers for export.