SAO PAULO, May 20 (Reuters) - The Brazilian unit of

U.S.-based grain trader Bunge said on Monday it is

gradually resuming operations in the town of Rio Grande, where

it operates a port terminal and a soy crushing unit in southern

Brazil.

Grain reception and loading operations at Bunge's Rio Grande

port has resumed while its local soy crushing unit is expected

to go back online by the end of week, Bunge said. Both had been

closed for safety reasons after severe floods hit Rio Grande do

Sul state.