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Agreement reached in Brazilian truckers’ strike

Representatives of Brazil’s trucking industry and the government have reached an agreement that officials hope will bring an end to the nine-day Brazilian truckers’ strike. But many roadways in Brazil remained blocked on Thursday as some truckers continued to hold out for more concessions from the government.

Brazil’s government has agreed to extend a year of free financing for vehicles from a state development bank, keep diesel prices unchanged for six months, and help truckers and transport companies work out a framework for setting freight rates. In return, trucker representatives agreed to recommend an end to the protests, but warned they do not represent all truckers.

The truckers’ strike has disrupted food and fuel supplies in several Brazilian states, including the major soybean producing state of Mato Grosso. Diesel shortages caused by the strike have put the harvest on hold in Mato Grosso and several other soybean producing states.