Prosecutors: indigenous protesters at Cargill's Brazil terminal should not be forced out

In a statement on Friday, the federal government said dredging is routine to ensure river traffic during low water level periods. Still, the government suspended procurement of companies to carry out the work on the Tapajos pending talks with the indigenous communities and a formal consultation about any work on the river.

Last week, Cargill confirmed protesters were blocking truck traffic at the terminal gate, without elaborating.

Cargill shipped more than 5.5 million tonnes of soybeans and corn through Santarem last year, according to port sector data. The exported volume, originating mainly from the centre west, represented more than 70 per cent of the total grain volume handled at Santarem.

(Reporting by Ana Mano and additional reporting by Roberto Samora; Editing by Nia Williams)