4/21/2004 - Strikes plaguing Brazilian ports cost the country some $500million last week alone, the government said Monday.

Industry and Trade Minister Luiz Fernando Furlan said the dock workers'strike in Paranagua and the ensuing truckers' strike blocked the export ofgoods in the millions of dollars.

The walkout ended Saturday at the south Brazil port that land-lockedParaguay uses to ship its products overseas, but trailer trucks waiting tounload were still backed up at least 50 kilometers (31 miles).

The stoppages sent Brazilian exports plummeting from an average $338million to $260 million per day.

Of 12 cargo ships in Paranagua port last week only two managed to beloaded, each with a 60,000-ton cargo of soy beans. docking permission,including 10 that would take on soy-bean cargoes.