China leads East Coast South America in container trade for 2026, with significant increases in exports and imports across multiple countries.
China remained the leading trade partner for East Coast South America in containerised trade during the first four months of 2026, reports Miami's DataMar.
Brazil's exports to China rose 19.8 per cent year on year to 175,502 TEU, while shipments to the United States fell 26.4 per cent to 103,215 TEU. Mexico ranked third with volumes up 7.1 per cent. Other notable increases included India, up 39.9 per cent, and Indonesia, up 65 per cent.
On the import side, China also led Brazil's ranking with 643,511 TEU, a 15.5 per cent increase. Imports from the United States dropped 34.1 per cent to 71,902 TEU, while India rose 4.5 per cent. Vietnam posted a 52.5 per cent increase, and Saudi Arabia surged 155.3 per cent.
In Argentina, exports to China grew 28.2 per cent to 40,687 TEU, followed by the United States with a 45.9 per cent rise and Brazil with a 40.9 per cent increase. Imports were led by China at 115,621 TEU, down 4.4 per cent, while the United States rose 6.1 per cent and Brazil fell 14.7 per cent.
Paraguay and Uruguay also saw China lead exports, up 28.1 per cent to 13,234 TEU. The United States followed with a 13.3 per cent rise, while Vietnam grew 42.4 per cent. Imports into the two countries from China increased 27.6 per cent, with the United States up 21.3 per cent and Spain ranking third despite a 9.6 per cent decline.
