China remained Brazil's leading destination for containerized exports in the first quarter of 2026, with volumes up 18.2 per cent year on year, while shipments to the United States fell 32.1 per cent amid tariff hikes, reported Miami's DataMar.

Mexico ranked third, with exports rising 7.4 per cent. Other notable gains included India, up 38.2 per cent; Colombia, up 22.6 per cent; and the Philippines, up 37.7 per cent. Declines were recorded for Vietnam, Turkey, and Pakistan. Total Brazilian exports reached 768,344 TEU, broadly flat compared with 766,650 TEU in the same period of 2025.

On the import side, China was also Brazil's largest origin, with inbound volumes up 12.5 per cent. US imports fell 33 per cent, while India rose 4.5 per cent. Vietnam surged 62.4 per cent, and Saudi Arabia more than doubled. Total imports reached 895,305 TEU, up 2.6 per cent year on year.

In Argentina, China was the leading export destination, with volumes up 32.7 per cent. The US followed with a 36.1 per cent rise, while Brazil grew 26.2 per cent. Overall Argentine exports rose 23.8 per cent to 144,410 TEU. Imports were led by China, down 10.4 per cent, followed by the US, up 5.8 per cent, and Brazil, down 15.8 per cent.

For Paraguay and Uruguay, China accounted for the largest share of exports, up 24.8 per cent. The US rose 14 per cent, and Vietnam increased by 39 per cent. Total exports from the two countries reached 56,808 TEU, up 16.3 per cent. Imports were also led by China, up 19.1 per cent, followed by the US, up 13.4 per cent, while Spain declined 14.6 per cent.