Key Brazilian ports, especially those which specialize in reefer cargo, are beginning to feel the effects of a strike by port agricultural inspectors.
The union representing the inspectors, Anffa, has said that the strike, which is currently entering its second week already, will continue indefinitely.
The inspectors are involved in a pay dispute with the country's Department of Agriculture.
Reports say that the port of Rio Grande has 1.5 million metric tonnes (mt) of produce, mostly beef and tobacco, on the quayside awaiting export.
They say there are also “serious problems” at the port of Itajai.
“It is usually after day three or four that problems start. Now we are into day six, it is hurting badly, and Santos is also beginning to be saturated with cargo waiting to be cleared. We can't take much more of this,” said one source.
Reports say the Ministry originally offered Anffa members three pay rises of 15% to be phased in by 2010, but Anffa wanted the increases started earlier.
The union representing the inspectors, Anffa, has said that the strike, which is currently entering its second week already, will continue indefinitely.
The inspectors are involved in a pay dispute with the country's Department of Agriculture.
Reports say that the port of Rio Grande has 1.5 million metric tonnes (mt) of produce, mostly beef and tobacco, on the quayside awaiting export.
They say there are also “serious problems” at the port of Itajai.
“It is usually after day three or four that problems start. Now we are into day six, it is hurting badly, and Santos is also beginning to be saturated with cargo waiting to be cleared. We can't take much more of this,” said one source.
Reports say the Ministry originally offered Anffa members three pay rises of 15% to be phased in by 2010, but Anffa wanted the increases started earlier.