At least 10 river ports are unable to handle agricultural exports.

 

Paraguay is facing a critical situation due to the urgent need to dredge the Paraná River, which is preventing the normal export of its agricultural production. At a recent meeting in Asunción, members of the Mixed Commission of the Paraná (Comip, which is composed of representatives from both sides of the waterway: Argentina and Paraguay), discussed the current hydro-climatological situation and defined the next actions to be taken to face the problem, according to Patricio Ortega, director of the Merchant Marine, an agency of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications.

Ortega informed that the Paraguayan Congress will be asked to declare a hydrological emergency in the Paraná River. The purpose of this measure is to speed up dredging and alleviate the situation affecting several ports along the river. 

 

Impact on grain exports

The Paraná River is a crucial route for the export of agricultural products, especially soybeans, from Paraguay. Ortega explained that from Ituzaingó to the confluence of the river with Paraguay, there are more than 10 ports from which between 2 and 3 million tons of products are exported. Currently, these ports are inoperative, which has led to a significant paralysis in the activity.

 

To address this situation, Comip will meet again on July 11 to assess the progress of the situation.

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