Port of Santos Sets Record for Start of 2026 as Cargo Climbs
BRAZIL · ECONOMY
Key Facts
—Record start: Santos handled 59.3 million tonnes in the first four months of 2026, up 6.6%, its best-ever first-quadrimester.
—April high: April alone moved 16.5 million tonnes, up 11.5% year on year, a record for the month.
—Farm-led: Solid bulk hit a record 29.2 million tonnes, with soybeans up 54.8% and sugar up 16%.
—China on top: China was the leading trade partner at 31.9%, worth US$18.98 billion, ahead of the United States.
—Latin American impact: The region’s busiest port handles about 28.5% of Brazil’s trade, a barometer for its exports.
The Port of Santos, the largest in Latin America, posted its strongest-ever start to a year in 2026, moving a record 59.3 million tonnes of cargo in the first four months as farm exports drove the gains.
A record first four months for the Port of Santos
Cargo through the port reached 59.3 million tonnes from January through April, a rise of 6.6% over the same period in 2025, according to the Santos Port Authority. The figure is the best for a first four-month stretch in the port’s recorded history.
April set its own mark, with 16.5 million tonnes moved, an increase of 11.5% from April 2025 and a record for the month. The momentum followed record figures earlier in the year, including a strong January.
Container traffic also rose, reaching 1.91 million standard units over the four months, up 5.4%. April containers came to 508,700 units, up 10.7% and a record for the month.
What drove the growth
Agricultural exports led the way. Solid bulk cargo reached a record 29.2 million tonnes for the period, up 8.2%, with soybeans climbing 54.8% and sugar rising 16%.
Liquid bulk added 6.6 million tonnes over the four months, up 10.1% and also a record for the period. The breadth of the gains, across bulk and containers alike, points to broad demand rather than a single product spike.
The port handles a wide mix of cargo and connects Brazil to hundreds of markets worldwide. It accounted for about 28.5% of the country’s foreign trade flow in the first four months of the year.
China leads the port’s trade
China strengthened its position as the port’s main trading partner, accounting for about 31.9% of the foreign-trade transactions passing through Santos in the period. That trade was worth US$18.98 billion.
The United States was the second-largest partner, at US$6.27 billion. The gap underscores how central Chinese demand, especially for farm goods, has become to Brazil’s export economy.
For the wider region, Santos serves as a bellwether. Its volumes track the strength of Brazilian exports and, by extension, demand for Latin American commodities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cargo did the Port of Santos handle in early 2026?
It moved 59.3 million tonnes in the first four months of 2026, up 6.6% from a year earlier, the best result for that stretch in its history. April alone set a monthly record at 16.5 million tonnes.
What products led the growth?
Farm exports. Solid bulk reached a record 29.2 million tonnes, with soybeans up 54.8% and sugar up 16%. Liquid bulk and container traffic also set records for the period.
Who is the port’s biggest trading partner?
China, accounting for about 31.9% of the trade through Santos in the period, worth US$18.98 billion. The United States was second at US$6.27 billion.
Why does the Port of Santos matter?
It is the largest port in Latin America and handles about 28.5% of Brazil’s foreign-trade flow, so its volumes are a useful gauge of the country’s export performance.
How does this compare with 2025?
The first four months ran 6.6% ahead of the same period in 2025. The port closed last year above 186 million tonnes, so the strong start builds on an already record-setting 2025.
Connected Coverage
The figures track with our coverage of Brazil’s record trade surplus. For another export-driven story in the region, see our report on Chile’s salmon exports.
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