Port Disruptions Cost Brazil’s Coffee Exporters Millions

In Short:

Brazilian coffee exporters incurred R$8.7 million in additional costs in October 2025 as logistical bottlenecks prevented the shipment of 2,065 containers, according to data from the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafé). The delayed cargo totaled 681,590 60-kilogram bags, driving higher expenses related to storage, pre-stacking and demurrage.

The failure to ship that volume resulted in a loss of $278.1 million in foreign-exchange revenue during the month, equivalent to R$1.5 billion, based on the average FOB price for green coffee of $407.99 per bag and an average October exchange rate of R$5.3849 per dollar.

The Port of Santos emerged as the main chokepoint. Accounting for 79% of Brazil’s coffee exports from January through October, the port saw delays or schedule changes in 73% of vessels calling at the terminal during the period — 148 out of 203 container ships. In some cases, waiting times reached as long as 61 days..