Reminiscent of the adage “I’m here from the government to help you” a new Argentine agency has been developed to oversee dredging of the Parana River under the management of the National Ports Administration.  Prior to the low-water crisis on the Parana River, vessels paid a Belgian dredging company directly for passage.  It is anticipated that the new arrangement will result in increased costs that will be applied to grain shipped from the cluster of ports around Rosario.  The National Ports Administration will call for competitive contracts for dredging operations that will include a deeper and wider channel to accommodate vessels capable of transporting larger cargos. 

Argentina is the third ranked corn exporter and the major supplier of soybean meal to the EU and Southeast Asia.