Latin America

Latin America Supply Chain

Brazil hits China beef quota, faces 55% tariff from Oct 1

Brazil has exhausted its 1.1 million-tonne annual beef export quota to China as of September 29, 2026, triggering a 55% additional tariff effective October 1, 2026. In 2025, Brazil supplied approximately half of China’s 2.8 million tonnes of imported beef. The quota, introduced in early 2026, aims to protect domestic cattle producers amid slowing economic growth and rising domestic output. Brazilian meatpackers have already begun cutting operations, and Australia reached its own China beef quota in June. The tariff shift may redirect global beef flows and intensify competition among exporters.

2026-10-02

Latin America Supply Chain

Brazil’s US Exports Fall 9.7% to $24.1B, Bilateral Deficit Hits $3.2B

Brazilian exports to the U.S. dropped 9.7% to $24.1 billion between January and August 2026, generating a bilateral trade deficit of $3.2 billion. Extractive and agribusiness exports fell 28.9% and 26.7%, respectively, while manufacturing declined 4.9%. Aircraft exports—exempt from new U.S. surtaxes—rose 18.2%, reaching over $1.8 billion year-to-date. Exporters pivoted to 17 other markets, achieving $19.3 billion in shipments—7.5 times the U.S. shortfall. August saw a 12.1% value gain but a 17.3% volume drop, reflecting price-driven performance.

2026-09-25

Latin America Supply Chain

Brazilian Tobacco Completes 2025/26 Pre-Inspection for China Export

Brazil’s tobacco industry has completed the pre-inspection process for the 2025/26 crop destined for China, following strict GACC requirements. Laboratory tests found no quarantine pests in samples analyzed at Unisc, satisfying the bilateral phytosanitary protocol. GACC’s Fayu Huang commended improvements in product quality—especially reduced Non-Tobacco Related Material—and called for stronger producer awareness. Jin Quiang of CTIB stressed that GACC certification remains mandatory for export. In 2025, China imported US$ 577 million worth of Brazilian tobacco, making it the sector’s second-largest market. The process supports shipments under the 2025/26 harvest cycle.

2026-09-22

Latin America Supply Chain

Brazil Coffee Exports Rise Over 50%, Beef Falls 30% Amid EU Audit

Brazil’s green coffee exports rose over 50% in early September 2026 to 107.9 thousand tons, while beef exports fell 30.3% amid an EU import suspension. The EU halted Brazilian beef and honey on 3 September 2026 over antimicrobial and traceability concerns; 2025 EU sales of Brazilian beef and poultry totaled US$ 1.8 billion. Petroleum exports surged 75.6% to 5.25 million tons, and Brent crude dropped 3.92% to US$ 101.68 on 17 September 2026.

2026-09-20

Latin America Supply Chain

DHL acquires Open Market, adds 21 warehouses and 4,100 employees in Colombia

DHL Supply Chain has acquired Colombian logistics operator Open Market to expand its footprint in Latin America. The deal brings 21 warehouses (120,000m²), 13 cross-docking platforms, and 4,100 employees into DHL’s network. It supports DHL Group’s strategy to grow in healthcare and logistics sectors by 2030. Integration will strengthen DHL Health Logistics capabilities, especially for pharmaceuticals and medical products. Open Market’s chairman confirmed the sale aligns with its strategic pivot to focus exclusively on Brazil.

2026-09-18

Latin America Supply Chain

Mexico’s Pacific Ports Surge: Manzanillo Up 11.7%, Lázaro Cárdenas Up 6%

Mexico’s Pacific ports are surging amid double-digit container growth: Manzanillo handled 2,455,953 TEU (+11.7%) in the first seven months, while Lázaro Cárdenas reached 1.34 million TEU (+6%). APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas saw 35% growth to 684,599 TEU in H1 2025. Contecon Manzanillo now accommodates ULCVs up to 23,000 TEU and deployed cranes for 18- and 22-container spans. Customs failures caused 5,000-truck backups in July; inspection delays at Lázaro Cárdenas stretched to 30 days. ASIPONA’s MX$1.729bn road project aims to ease congestion but risks new bottlenecks.

2026-09-15

Latin America Supply Chain

Mexico Logistics Market to Grow 7.4% Annually Through 2030

Mexico’s logistics market is projected to grow 7.4% annually through 2030, fueled by nearshoring and industrial FDI. UPS has partnered with Nuevo León to boost SME exports, while CONTECON Manzanillo moved nearly 4,000 import containers in two days on Aug. 20–21. Experts stress that AI adoption requires workforce transformation—not just tool deployment—and that peak-season performance in 2026 will shape margins well into Q1 2027.

2026-09-14

Latin America Supply Chain

Brazilian Ports Handle 95% of Exports Amid New Maritime Law Push

Brazil’s port sector handles approximately 95% of national exports, according to World Bank data cited in portalbenews.com.br. Ahead of the Sul Export 2025 forum — set for 28–29 in Porto Alegre — policymakers and industry leaders are aligning on a new port-sector legal framework expected to enter congressional consideration before the event. The National Council of Brasil Export met on 16 in Brasília, with participation from the Superior Labor Court and STF Minister André Mendonça confirmed for a keynote on 28. Key ports include Santos, Paranaguá, and Suape.

2026-09-11

Latin America Supply Chain

Brazil Soy Exports Rise 5.2% in August to 9.81M Tonnes

Brazil’s soybean exports rose 5.2% year-on-year in August 2026 to 9.810 million tonnes, generating US$ 4.411 billion in revenue — a 14% increase. The average export price climbed 8.3% to US$ 449.70 per tonne. Daily shipments averaged 467,137 tonnes, up from 444,153 tonnes in August 2025. Though August showed strong annual growth, exports declined 26.8% in volume and 24.9% in revenue compared to July 2026. Year-to-date totals through August 2026 reached 92.790 million tonnes and US$ 39.502 billion — up 7.2% and 15.1%, respectively, versus the same period in 2025.

2026-09-09

Latin America Supply Chain

China-Brazil Supply Chain Loans Cut Financing Cost by 13–15 Points

Brazilian firms engaged in trade with China can now tap into cross-border financing structures leveraging China’s 2%–4% benchmark loan rates — a stark contrast to Brazil’s ~17% domestic financing cost. The 13–15 percentage-point gap enables extended payment terms (up to 12 months vs. three months) for Brazilian subsidiaries buying from Chinese parents. Tian Bin of IEST Group and CECPS confirmed the initiative targets high-value imports and projects. Additional fees like letters of credit and guarantees may add 1%–3% to total cost. Chinese state banks apply strict criteria, while Hong Kong and Macau institutions show greater flexibility for Brazil-linked deals.

2026-08-29

Latin America Supply Chain

Peru’s OLCI Demands Customs Modernization to Curb $143.3M Used Clothing Smuggling

Peru’s Observatory for Illicit Trade (OLCI) has urged comprehensive customs modernization to disrupt a transnational smuggling network moving $143.3 million in used clothing annually into South America—primarily via Chile, which imported an average of 136,095 tons per year from 2021–2023. The Institute of Criminology’s study maps an 11-link criminal chain involving document fraud, corruption, and environmental dumping across 24 waste sites. OLCI recommends digital risk systems, coordinated law enforcement targeting organized networks—not informal vendors—and municipal enforcement against prohibited sales. It stresses that anti-smuggling and environmental protection are inseparable goals requiring trilateral cooperation with Chile and Bolivia.

2026-08-20

Supply Chain

Maersk Q2 revenue jumps 20% to $15.8B, raises 2026 outlook

Maersk reported a 20% year-on-year revenue increase to $15.8 billion in Q2 2026, driven by its Ocean and Logistics segments. The company raised its full-year 2026 financial guidance, projecting EBITDA between $10.5 billion and $12.5 billion. Strategic investments, including a $350 million electrified container terminal in Brazil, and a $1.7 billion project in Vietnam, support its growth outlook.

2026-08-19