A new agreement between the National Supply Company (Conab), Itaipu Binacional, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) will invest €8.9 million to modernise grain storage facilities in Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul.
The partnership aims to improve operational efficiency and enhance food security. Itaipu Binacional, a joint venture between Brazil and Paraguay, will invest R$55 million (€8.9 million) in modernising Conab’s warehouses in Rolândia, Cambé, and Ponta Grossa in Paraná, and Maracajú in Mato Grosso do Sul. The Ponta Grossa warehouse, located near key grain-producing regions, will see its storage capacity increase by 120,000 tonnes, from 300,000 to 420,000 tonnes.
Conab’s president, Edegar Pretto, emphasized that the modernisation was critical, as infrastructure neglect in recent years led to a 30% reduction in storage capacity. The upgraded facilities will improve the flow of wheat and soybeans from southern Brazil, especially to the Port of Paranaguá, located 200 kilometres away.
UNOPS will oversee the project’s execution, with the first phase beginning this year. This phase includes diagnosing the current infrastructure and preparing engineering plans. Renovation work is expected to start in April 2026 and complete within two years.
Fernando Barbieri, UNOPS representative in Brazil, highlighted the project’s role in strengthening food security and contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.