SAO PAULO, May 20 (Reuters) -

The Brazilian unit of U.S.-based grain trader Bunge

is gradually resuming operations in the town of Rio Grande,

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

southern Brazil, according to a statement on Monday.

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, the company said.

Both had been closed after severe floods hit Rio Grande do

Sul state, which submerged entire towns, disrupted roads and

killed livestock in Brazil's southernmost state.

Bunge said its port and crushing facilities in Rio Grande

were not directly impacted by the floods, but activities were

suspended there on May 9 to ensure the safety of employees.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and continue

making decisions focused on people," it said in the statement.