Grain loading at the port of Rosario, Argentina's main agricultural export hub, was back to normal on Wednesday (March 18.03.2020, XNUMX) after the Argentine government published a resolution clarifying health protocols for shipping trade, the Chamber of Port and Maritime Activities (CAPyM) said.
The Rosario agro-export hub and other grain terminals in Argentina have experienced delays in recent days due to uncertainty regarding the implementation of the 15-day border closure to foreigners to contain the spread of the coronavirus that the government announced on Sunday.
However, the Argentine Ministry of Transport published a report on Tuesday official notice in which he detailed the health protocols for foreign crew members on vessels, at the same time defusing fears from unions, which in the case of grain receivers threatened to go on strike.
«Within what we are experiencing, everything is normal (…) There are no delays«, said Guillermo Wade, manager of the Chamber of Port and Maritime Activities (CAPyM).
Argentina is the world's leading exporter of soybean oil and flour, and the third largest exporter of soybeans and corn. Nearly 80% of the country's agricultural and agro-industrial exports are shipped from the Rosario region.
«(The strike measures) were not carried out. For now, activity continues as normal.«, Pablo Palacio, secretary general of the grain receivers' union URGARA, told Reuters, which had announced a strike due to fears of contagion among its members.
As of Wednesday, 79 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Argentina, as well as two deaths.
Exports from the agricultural and agro-industrial sector are the main source of foreign currency for the South American countryKeeping port activity running is critical for a nation that is going through an economic crisis while seeking to restructure a massive sovereign debt.
Source: Reuters
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