Freight costs for agribusiness are falling, says minister

The Minister of Infrastructure, Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas, stated this Friday (24) that the public policies implemented by his department are already “making a difference” for the country, especially with regard to reducing the cost of freight to the agribusiness.

“After 47 years, we completed the paving of BR-163 in Pará. The highway connects Sinop (MT) to Miritituba (PA), with Mato Grosso agriculture as a major benefit. The impact on shipping was immediate. We had a 26% reduction in freight to Miritituba”, said the minister, during a virtual ceremony signing a work order for the construction of a bridge over the Araguaia River, in the district of Luiz Alves, in São Miguel do Araguaia (GO). .

“And in 2020, a year in which agriculture had a record harvest, and producers were more competitive, we had an average freight reduction of 13%. It is a sign that public policy in the sector is already making a difference”, added Freitas.

The minister also highlighted that the government is “on the verge” of approving the early extension of contracts for the railway that will connect Vitória, capital of Espírito Santo, to the state of Minas Gerais, and the Carajás Railway.

“This is important because, from the Vitória-Minas Railway, we will sign, in return, the integration contract for the Central-West integration railway. Vale, to pay for its concession, will build this integration railway, and we will connect Vale do Araguaia (MT) to Água Boa (MT) and Mara Rosa (GO)”, said the minister.