Soybean Transportation Guide 

BRAZIL 2021
United States Department of Agriculture

Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Agricultural Marketing Service

Transportation and Marketing Program

November 2022

Author:

Delmy L. Salin, USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service

Graphic Designer:

Jessica E. Ladd, USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service

Preferred Citation

Salin, Delmy. Soybean Transportation Guide: Brazil 2021. November 2022. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 

Agricultural Marketing Service. Web. <http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS048.11-2022>

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 
C

Contents

Soybean Transportation Guide: Brazil 2021.

General Information.

2021 Summary.

Transportation Infrastructure. 

Transportation Indicators. 

Soybean Production. 

Exports. 

Exports to China. 

Transportation Modes. 

Reference Material. 

Photo Credits. 
1

Soybean Transportation Guide: Brazil 2021

Executive Summary

The Soybean Transportation Guide is a visual snapshot of Brazilian soybean transportation in 2021. It provides 

data on the cost of shipping soybeans to Shanghai, China, and Hamburg, Germany. It also includes information 

about soybean production, exports, railways, ports, and infrastructural developments. 

Brazil is the foremost U.S. competitor in the world oilseed market. Brazil largely bases its competitiveness on 

continually improving its transportation infrastructure to reduce transportation costs. The country’s position 

has also benefited from low production costs, increases in planted area, high productivity, and weak currency. 

Because Brazilian and U.S. producers use the same advanced production and technological methods, their 

soybeans are relatively interchangeable for buyers. Similar to Brazil, U.S. soybean competitiveness worldwide 

rests (at least, in part) on keeping transportation costs low through continual infrastructure improvements. 

Since 2013, Brazil has gained enough of a cost advantage to surpass U.S. soybean exports, becoming the top 

world soybean exporter. However, the United States retains a significant share of global soybean exports. USDA 

forecasts Brazil will retain its position as the world’s largest soybean exporter through 2031. In recent years, 

the United States and Brazil have continued to vie for the position of the world’s leading exporter. The United 

States remains the second-largest exporter, followed by Argentina, Paraguay, and Canada. China represents the 

largest market for global soybean trade, accounting for more than half of soybean imports worldwide. 

Soybean Transportation Cost and Export Demand

In 2021, Brazil exported nearly 86.1 million metric tons (mmt) of soybeans, 4 percent more than 2020’s total 

of 83.0 mmt—an increase that also raised transportation demand. From 2020 to 2021, the rise in Brazil’s 

soybean transportation costs reflected a significant rise in ocean rates. Ocean rates to Shanghai, China, rose 

64-76 percent (from all ports) and doubled from the northern ports to Hamburg, Germany. The 2021 ocean 

rates were the highest levels seen since the second quarters of 2007 and 2008. The 2020-21 increases were 

due to strong demand for shipping bulk items. The increases also resulted from tight vessel supply caused by 

congestion and other pandemic-related logistic challenges. The cost of shipping a metric ton (mt) of soybeans 

100 miles by truck decreased from $5.49 per mt in 2020 to $5.29 per mt in 2021. This nearly 4-percent drop 

was mostly due to the Brazilian real’s (R$) depreciation against the U.S. dollar—5 percent from 2020 to 2021, 

from R$5.15 per U.S. dollar to R$5.40 per U.S. dollar.

From 2020 to 2021, in selected routes of shipping Brazilian soybeans to China, total transportation costs as a 

share of total landed costs declined. The diminished share reflected the fact that farm prices rose more than 

total transportation costs. In Mato Grosso, Brazil’s largest soybean-producing State, 2021 transportation costs 

from Sorriso were 18-19 percent of the total landed costs of shipping to Shanghai through the Port of Santos. 

For comparison, transportation costs were 45 percent in 2006 and 34 percent in 2008.

Average Brazilian soybean export prices increased 31 percent, from $344 per mt to $449 per mt. Brazilian 

farmers have benefited from the real’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar, because exported soybeans are 

priced in U.S. dollars, but producers are paid in reais. Measured in U.S. dollars, average soybean farm gate 

prices increased 40 percent from 2020 to 2021—from $346.55/mt to $485.13/mt. The depreciation of the real 

also led to higher domestic prices. On average, in reais, farm gate prices increased 46 percent from 2020 to 

2021—from R$1,796.88/mt to R$2,614.67.
2

In 2021, Brazil exported 60.5 mmt of soybeans to China, valued at $27.2 billion, slightly less than 2020’s total 

(60.6 mmt), accounting for 70 percent of Brazil’s total 2021 exports (86.1 mmt). The next highest shares of 

Brazil’s soybean exports (in declining order) went to Spain, the Netherlands, Thailand, and Turkey. Santos was 

the largest Brazilian soybean export port, followed by Rio Grande, Paranaguá, São Luís, Barcarena, and São 

Francisco do Sul. These six ports accounted for 83 percent of Brazil’s 2021 total exports. 

The southern ports of Santos, Rio Grande, Paranaguá, and São Francisco do Sul still dominate the soybean 

trade to China, collectively accounting for 74 percent of Brazil’s soybean exports to China in 2021. Also, in 

2021, the northeastern ports of São Luís, Vitória, Salvador, and Barcarena accounted for nearly 25 percent 

of soybean exports to China. The Amazon River ports of Manaus and Santarém exported a small amount to 

China (mainly from Manaus), but exported mostly to the European Union, North America, and Africa. Typically, 

Brazilian soybean exports peak in May and decline through the end of the year. In 2021, the ocean freight 

spread between the Shanghai routes from the northeastern port of São Luís ($57.90/mt) and the port of 

Santos ($53.40/mt) was $4.50/mt. Ocean freight spread is the cost difference between two vessel routes to the 

same destination.

Acknowledgments

For data, regional information, and maps of Brazil, the author would like to thank the Associação Nacional dos 

Transportadores Ferroviários; Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”/ Grupo de Pesquisa e Extensão 

em Logística Agroindustrial; Assesoria de Comunicação dos Portos de Paranaguá e Antonina; and USDA, 

Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Global Market Analysis. The author is, also, grateful for comments and 

critiques by Keith Menzie (USDA, Office of the Chief Economist); Maria Bukowski (USDA, Economic Research 

Service); Agata Kingsbury, Timothy ONeil (USDA, FAS) and Joseph Degreenia (USDA, FAS, Agricultural Attaché, 

Brasilia). Thanks, also, to USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service employees Maria Williams, editor; Jessica Ladd, 

graphic designer; and Alexis Heyman, economist.
3

General Information

State and Abbreviation

Acre (AC)

Alagoas (AL)

Amapá (AP)

Amazonas (AM)

Bahia (BA)

Ceará (CE)

Distrito Federal (DF)

Espírito Santo (ES)

Goiás (GO)

Maranhão (MA)

Mato Grosso (MT)

Mato Grosso do Sul (MS)

Minas Gerais (MG)

Pará (PA) 

Paraíba (PB)

Paraná (PR)

Pernambuco (PE)

Piauí (PI)

Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

Rio Grande do Sul (RS)

Rondônia (RO)

Roraima (RR)

Santa Catarina (SC)

São Paulo (SP)

Sergipe (SE)

Tocantins (TO)

Information about Brazil

Population: 213,317,639 (July 2021 estimate, Census, Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia 

e Estatística (IBGE))

Gross Domestic Product per Capita, 2021: $16,161 (International Monetary Fund)

Inflation, 2021: 10.06 percent (IBGE)

Unemployment, 4th Quarter 2021: 11.1 percent (IBGE)

Area: 8,515,770 square kilometers

Languages: Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, and French
4

2021 Summary

Routes1 and regions considered in the 

Brazilian soybean export transportation indicator2

1 Table defining routes by number is shown on page 31.

2 Regions comprised about 79 percent of Brazilian soybean production in 2019 (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics—Produção Agricola 

Municipal).

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
5

Brazil is the largest soybean-exporting country, followed by the United States, Paraguay, Argentina, and 

Canada. In 2021, Santos was the largest Brazilian soybean export port, followed by Paranaguá, Rio Grande, 

São Luís, Barcarena, and São Francisco do Sul. These six ports accounted for nearly 83 percent of Brazil’s total 

exports. The southern ports of Santos, Rio Grande, Paranaguá, and São Francisco do Sul still dominate the 

soybean trade to China, accounting for 74 percent of Brazil’s soybean exports to China. The northeastern ports 

of São Luís, Vitória, Salvador, and Barcarena accounted for nearly 25 percent of soybean exports to China. The 

Amazon River ports of Manaus accounted for 0.1 percent of soybean exports to China in 2021.

Brazilian soybean exports by port, 2019-21 

From 2020 to 2021, the average cost in Brazil of shipping a metric ton (mt) of soybeans 100 miles by truck 

decreased from $5.49 per mt to $5.29 per mt.

Brazilian soybean export truck cost index, 2019-21

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

8.00

9.00

10.00

1st qtr. 2nd qtr. 3rd qtr. 4th qtr.

US$/metric ton/100 miles

2019

2020

2021

Average 2019: $7.19 Average 2020: $5.49 Average 2021: $5.29

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Santos

Paranaguá

Rio Grande

São Luís

Barcarena/Belém

São Francisco do Sul

Vitória

Salvador

Manaus

Santarém

Percentage

2019

2020

2021
From 2020 to 2021, in selected routes of shipping Brazilian soybeans to China, total transportation costs as a share of toThe diminished share reflected the fact that farm prices rose more than total transportation costs. In Mato Grosso, Brazproducing State, 2021 transportation costs from Sorriso were 18-19 percent of the total landed costs of shipping to ShaSantos. For comparison, transportation costs were 45 percent in 2006 and 34 percent in 2008.

Costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports to Shanghai, Chin

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 % Change 2020-21 2016 2017 2018 201

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 

—US$/

Truck 75.49 92.95 91.76 79.28 60.65 59.30 -2.2 18.38 30.72 29.20 25.0Ocean 16.63 26.88 30.31 33.65 31.40 53.40 70.1 20.50 27.30 31.06 33.9Total transportation 92.12 119.82 122.08 112.92 92.04 112.70 22.4 38.88 58.02 60.27 58.9Farm gate price3 331.91 293.60 306.03 285.35 357.23 482.47 35.1 352.69 322.30 333.21 305.5Landed cost 424.03 413.43 428.11 398.28 449.27 595.16 32.5 391.57 380.32 393.48 364.5Transport % of landed cost 21.9 29.0 28.5 28.4 21.2 18.9 -10.9 9.9 15.3 15.3 16.2 

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

South GO1 

—US$/

Truck - - 33.49 27.62 21.47 20.64 -3.9 34.66 44.22 43.25 37.3Rail4 - - 43.29 39.98 32.13 29.69 -7.6 - - - - Ocean - - 30.31 33.65 31.40 53.40 70.1 16.63 26.88 30.31 33.6Total transportation - - 107.10 101.25 85.00 103.73 22.0 51.28 71.09 73.56 70.9Farm gate price3 - - 306.03 285.35 357.23 482.47 35.1 329.15 301.99 312.31 291.4Landed cost - - 413.13 386.60 442.22 586.19 32.6 380.43 373.08 385.88 362.4Transport % of landed cost - - 25.9 26.2 19.9 17.7 -11.4 13.6 19.1 19.1 19.6 

1Producing regions: RS=Rio Grande do Sul, MT=Mato Grosso, and GO=Goiás.2Export port.3The source of the farm gate price is the Brazilian Government, Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB).4In Brazil there are no published rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be approxi

mately 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on volumes hauled and the terms of c

railroad company and shippers.Note: mt=metric ton.Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
From 2020 to 2021, transportation costs to ship soybeans to Hamburg, Germany, from Mato Grosso, decreased 11-12 planded costs.

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 % Change 2020-21 2016 2017 2018 20

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS

—US$

Truck 75.49 92.95 91.76 79.28 60.65 59.30 -2.2 23.85 30.72 29.20 25.Ocean 18.13 24.50 25.25 25.63 24.75 45.11 82.3 17.25 25.50 26.25 25.Total transportation 93.62 117.45 117.01 104.90 85.40 104.41 22.3 41.10 56.22 55.45 50.Farm gate price3 331.91 293.60 306.03 285.35 357.23 482.47 35.1 348.28 322.30 333.21 305Landed cost 425.53 411.05 423.05 390.25 442.62 586.88 32.6 389.37 378.52 388.66 356Transport % of landed cost 22.1 28.6 27.6 26.9 20.0 17.8 -11.2 10.6 14.9 14.3 14

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

South GO

—US$

Truck - - 33.49 27.62 21.47 20.64 -3.9 34.66 44.22 43.25 37.Rail4 - - 43.29 39.98 32.13 29.69 -7.6 - - - - Ocean - - 25.25 25.63 24.75 45.11 82.3 18.13 24.50 25.25 25.Total transportation - - 102.03 93.23 78.35 95.44 21.8 52.78 68.72 68.50 62.Farm gate price3 - - 306.03 285.35 357.23 482.47 35.1 329.15 301.99 312.31 291Landed cost - - 408.07 378.58 435.58 577.90 32.7 381.93 370.71 380.81 354Transport % of landed cost - - 25.0 24.6 18.7 16.5 -11.7 13.9 18.6 18.0 17

1Producing regions: RS=Rio Grande do Sul, MT=Mato Grosso, and GO=Goiás.2Export port.3The source of the farm gate price is the Brazilian Government, Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB).4In Brazil there are no published rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be approxi

mately 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on volumes hauled and the terms of c

company and shippers.Note: mt=metric ton.Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports to Hamburg, Germa
8

Transportation costs increased from the selected routes of Brazil’s northern and northeastern ports to 

Shanghai, China, and Hamburg, Germany.

Cost of transporting soybeans from the northern and northeastern ports 

to Shanghai, China, 2019-21

2019 2020 2021 % Change 

2020-21 2019 2020 2021 % Change 2020-21

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 52.04 39.20 37.91 -3.3 32.99 26.83 24.85 -7.4

Ocean 35.06 33.66 57.31 70.3 34.81 34.02 57.90 70.2

Total transportation 87.10 72.86 95.22 30.7 67.80 60.85 82.75 36.0

Farm gate price3 285.35 357.23 482.47 35.1 297.05 353.30 484.89 37.2

Landed cost 372.45 430.08 577.69 34.3 364.85 414.15 567.63 37.1

Transport % of landed cost 23.4 17.6 16.5 -6.3 18.6 15.0 14.5 -3.3

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

Truck 39.34 29.81 29.15 -2.2 46.64 31.72 31.84 0.4

Barge4 - - - - 18.85 14.68 15.53 5.8

Ocean 34.81 34.02 57.90 70.2 34.96 34.96 59.55 70.3

Total transportation 74.15 63.83 87.05 36.4 100.45 81.35 106.92 31.4

Farm gate price3 295.87 342.39 475.78 39.0 285.35 357.23 482.47 35.1

Landed cost 370.02 406.23 562.82 38.5 385.80 438.58 589.38 34.4

Transport % of landed cost 20.9 16.0 15.5 -3.4 26.1 19.2 18.1 -5.8

1

Producing regions: MT=Mato Grosso, PI=Piauí, and MA=Maranhão.

2

Export port.

3

The source of the farm gate price is the Brazilian Government, Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB). 

4

In Brazil, there are no published barge rates. Barge rates can be up to 60 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled and 

the terms of contracts signed between the barge company and shippers. The distance is in nautical miles.

Note: mt=metric ton. 

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
9

Cost of transporting soybeans from the northern and northeastern ports 

to Hamburg, Germany, 2019-21

2019 2020 2021 % Change 

2020-21 2019 2020 2021 % Change 2020-21

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 52.04 39.20 37.91 -3.3 32.99 26.83 24.85 -7.4

Ocean 23.42 20.94 42.09 101.0 20.34 22.76 48.36 112.5

Total transportation 75.45 60.14 80.00 33.0 53.33 49.59 73.21 47.6

Farm gate price3 285.35 357.23 482.47 35.1 297.05 353.30 484.89 37.2

Landed cost 360.81 417.37 562.47 34.8 350.38 402.89 558.10 38.5

Transport % of landed cost 20.9 15.0 14.2 -5.4 15.2 12.6 13.1 4.1

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

Truck 39.34 29.81 29.15 -2.2 46.64 31.72 31.84 0.4

Barge4 - - - - 18.85 14.68 15.53 5.8

Ocean 20.34 22.76 48.36 112.5 21.16 20.31 41.00 101.8

Total transportation 59.68 52.58 77.51 47.4 86.64 66.71 88.37 32.5

Farm gate price3 295.87 342.39 475.78 39.0 285.35 357.23 482.47 35.1

Landed cost 355.55 394.97 553.28 40.1 372.00 423.93 570.83 34.7

Transport % of landed cost 16.8 13.6 14.0 3.4 23.3 16.4 15.5 -5.7

1

Producing regions: MT=Mato Grosso, PI=Piauí, and MA=Maranhão.

2

Export port.

3

The source of the farm gate price is the Brazilian Government, Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB).

4

In Brazil, there are no published barge rates. Barge rates can be up to 60 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled and 

the terms of contracts signed between the barge company and shippers. The distance is in nautical miles.

Note: mt=metric ton. 

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
10

In response to higher transportation costs and farm prices, total landed costs of U.S. soybeans increased via the 

U.S. Gulf to Germany and China. From 2020 to 2021, transportation costs rose in response to many factors: strong 

demand for U.S. soybeans; flooding and infrastructure damage from Hurricane Ida; tight vessel supply caused by 

congestion and other pandemic-related logistic challenges; and severe winter weather, which limited barge and 

labor supplies.

Average costs of transporting U.S. soybeans via U.S. Gulf to 

Hamburg, Germany, and Shanghai, China, 2017-21

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 % Change 

2020-21 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 % Change 2020-21

To Hamburg, Germany

Minneapolis, Minnesota

—US$/mt—

Davenport, Iowa

—US$/mt—

Truck 12.71 12.14 10.10 11.04 13.58 23.0 12.71 12.14 10.10 11.04 13.58 23.0

Rail1 45.91 46.37 47.96 36.73 36.38 -1.0 34.98 30.92 32.13 33.03 33.33 0.9

Barge2 22.62 29.97 21.99 26.14 27.48 5.1 17.60 24.51 20.43 20.05 23.09 15.1

Ocean3 15.46 19.85 18.15 16.61 25.31 52.4 15.47 19.85 18.15 16.61 25.31 52.4

Total transportation4 62.26 73.55 74.22 62.97 75.47 19.9 54.53 64.23 64.73 55.96 70.32 25.7

Farm price5 338.20 330.51 305.65 321.45 481.65 49.8 344.53 336.05 307.27 330.02 482.26 46.1

Landed cost6 400.46 404.06 379.86 384.42 557.12 44.9 399.06 400.28 372.00 385.98 552.58 43.2

Transport % of 

landed cost 15.5 18.1 19.4 16.4 13.6 -16.8 13.6 16.0 17.4 14.4 12.8 -11.2

To Shanghai, China

Minneapolis, Minnesota

—US$/mt—

Davenport, Iowa

—US$/mt—

Truck 12.71 12.14 10.10 11.04 13.58 23.0 12.71 12.14 10.10 11.04 13.58 23.0

Rail1 45.91 46.37 47.96 36.73 36.38 -1.0 34.98 30.92 32.12 33.03 33.33 0.9

Barge2 22.62 29.97 21.99 26.14 27.48 5.1 17.60 24.51 20.43 20.05 23.09 15.1

Ocean3 38.37 44.42 44.55 40.08 68.58 71.1 38.37 44.42 44.55 40.08 68.58 71.1

Total transportation4 85.17 98.12 100.62 86.44 118.74 37.4 77.43 88.80 91.14 79.43 113.58 43.0

Farm price5 338.20 330.56 305.65 321.45 481.65 49.8 344.53 336.05 307.27 330.02 482.26 46.1

Landed cost6 423.37 428.68 406.27 407.89 600.39 47.2 421.96 424.85 398.41 409.45 595.85 45.5

Transport % of 

landed cost 20.1 22.8 24.7 21.2 19.8 -6.5 18.3 20.9 22.9 19.4 19.1 -1.2

1

Rail rates include fuel surcharges, but do not include the cost of purchasing empty rail cars in the secondary rail markets, which could exceed the rail 

tariff rate plus fuel surcharge shown in the table.

2

The Mississippi River closes from Minneapolis to just north of St. Louis during mid-December to late March; the distance by barge between Minneapolis 

and Davenport to the Port of New Orleans is 1,713 and 1,343 miles, respectively.

3

Source: The Baltic Exchange and O’Neil Commodity Consulting; excludes handling charges.

4

The average of the sum of the total costs may not be equal to the sum of the individual average costs of truck, rail, barge, and ocean because rail is used 

only in the first quarter.

5

Source for the U.S. farm prices: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

6

Landed cost is transportation cost plus farm price.

Note: mt=metric ton; totals may not add exactly due to rounding.

Source: Compiled by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
11

From North and South Dakota to Shanghai, China, via the Pacific Northwest (PNW), U.S. soybean transportation 

costs, as a share of total landed costs, decreased 15-16 percent from 2020 to 2021 in response to higher soybean 

prices.

Average costs of transporting U.S. soybeans via Pacific Northwest to Shanghai, China, 2017-21

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 % Change 

2020-21 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 % Change 2020-21

To Shanghai, China

Fargo, North Dakota 

—US$/mt— 

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

—US$/mt— 

Truck 12.71 12.14 10.10 11.04 13.58 23.0 12.71 12.14 10.10 11.04 13.58 23.0

Rail1 54.66 55.12 56.36 57.10 57.76 1.2 55.65 56.11 57.35 58.09 58.76 1.1

Ocean2 20.37 24.34 24.59 21.38 38.05 78.0 20.37 24.34 24.59 21.38 38.05 78.0

Total transportation 87.74 91.60 91.05 89.52 109.39 22.2 88.74 92.59 92.04 90.51 110.39 22.0

Farm price3 324.57 319.55 285.65 306.11 465.42 52.0 328.98 320.38 293.98 315.51 474.61 50.4

Landed cost4 412.31 411.14 376.70 395.62 574.81 45.3 417.72 412.96 386.02 406.01 584.99 44.1

Transport % of 

landed cost 21.3 22.3 24.2 22.7 19.1 -16.0 21.2 22.5 23.8 22.4 18.9 -15.4

1

Rail rates include fuel surcharges, but do not include the cost of purchasing empty rail cars in the secondary rail markets, which could exceed the rail tariff 

rate plus fuel surcharge shown in the table.

2

Source for the U.S. ocean freight rates: O’Neil Commodity Consulting.

3

Source for the U.S. farm prices: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

4

Landed cost is transportation cost plus farm price.

Note: mt=metric ton; totals may not add up exactly due to rounding.

Source: Compiled by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

In 2021, the cost per metric ton (mt) to ship soybeans from Sorriso, North Mato Grosso, via rail-Santos-Shanghai, 

China, was $9.86 less than from Davenport, IA, via U.S. Gulf. From 2020 to 2021, the U.S. cost advantage narrowed. 

More than two thirds of soybeans exported from Santos were hauled by rail. Sorriso is located 1,190 miles from the 

Port of Santos. From the Port of New Orleans, Davenport is about 900 miles by truck, 908 miles by rail, and 1,343 

miles by barge.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service. 

Transportation cost differences between Mato Grosso (MT) via rail and 

Iowa (IA) via U.S. Gulf to Shanghai, China, 2020-21
12

In 2021, the cost of shipping a metric ton of soybeans from Cruz Alta, Northwest Rio Grande do Sul, to 

Shanghai, China, was $40.80 less than from Davenport, IA. From 2020 to 2021, the Brazilian cost advantage 

widened, as Iowa transportation costs increased more than the Brazilian costs. The distance from Cruz Alta to 

the port of Rio Grande is 288 miles. 

Transportation cost differences between Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and Iowa (IA) 

to Shanghai, China, 2020-21

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service. 

During 2021, soybeans shipped by rail from Sorriso, North Mato Grosso, to Shanghai, China, cost about $9-10 

per metric ton less than U.S. shipments to Shanghai, by the U.S. Gulf and $6 per metric ton less by the PNW 

routes. However, the cost advantage narrowed to $0.88 per metric ton when North Mato Grosso soybeans 

were shipped by truck to Santos and widened to about $7 per metric ton when shipped by barge to Barcarena. 

In Brazil, there are no published rail and barge tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck 

rates. Barge rates can be up to 60 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled and the 

terms of contracts signed between the railroad and barge companies and shippers.

Transportation cost differences between selected Brazil-U.S. routes 

to Shanghai, China, 2021

Note: MT=Mato Grosso, MA=Maranhão, RS=Rio Grande do Sul, SD=South Dakota, IA=Iowa, and ND=North Dakota.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

2020 2021

Davenport, IA through U.S. Gulf 79.43 113.58

Northwest RS, through Rio Grande 52.13 72.78

$0.00

$20.00

$40.00

$60.00

$80.00

$100.00

$120.00

U.S.$/metric ton

-$27.30

-$40.80

IA RS IA RS

Davenport, IA, through U.S. Gulf $113.58

Sorriso, North MT, through Santos via truck $112.70

Sioux Falls, SD, through Pacific Northwest $110.39

Fargo, ND, through Pacific Northwest $109.39

Sorriso, North MT, through Barcarena $106.92

Sorriso, North MT, through Santos via rail $103.73

Balsas, South MA, through São Luís $82.75

Cruz Alta, Northwest RS, through Rio Grande $72.78

$0.00

$20.00

$40.00

$60.00

$80.00

$100.00

$120.00

U.S.$/metric ton

IA SD ND MT via MA RS

barge

MT via 

truck 

MT via

rail
13

In 2021, selected Brazilian export truck routes, measured in reais (R$), saw proportionally higher 

transportation costs than those estimated in U.S. dollars. Brazil’s higher costs were due to the 5 percent 

depreciation of the Brazilian Real (R$) against the U.S. dollar.

Route 

# Origin1 (reference city) Destination Distance2(miles)

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 % 

change 

2020-21 Freight price, US$/metric ton3

1 Northwest RS4 (Cruz Alta) Rio Grande 288 23.85 30.72 29.20 25.06 19.24 18.85 -2.0

2 North MT (Sorriso) Santos 1,190 75.49 92.95 91.76 79.28 60.65 59.30 -2.2

3 North MT (Sorriso) Paranaguá 1,262 74.42 89.41 90.20 75.78 59.87 58.62 -2.1

4 South GO (Rio Verde) Santos 587 34.66 44.22 43.25 37.34 28.48 27.18 -4.6

6 North Central PR (Londrina) Paranaguá 268 21.31 29.29 27.22 22.64 18.13 17.20 -5.1

11 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Santos 901 51.29 63.63 62.16 53.56 41.57 40.89 -1.6

27 North MT (Sorriso) Itaituba 672 41.72 59.65 56.27 46.64 31.72 31.84 0.4

29 North MT (Sorriso) Santarém 876 49.60 55.08 58.86 52.04 39.20 37.91 -3.3

30 South MA (Balsas) São Luís 482 31.04 37.69 37.60 32.99 26.83 24.85 -7.4

31 Southwest PI (Bom Jesus) São Luís 606 34.23 44.44 46.52 39.34 29.81 29.15 -2.2

32 Southeast PA (Paragominas) Barcarena 249 17.93 25.00 22.39 20.12 15.20 14.42 -5.2

33 East TO (Campos Lindos) São Luís 842 50.55 61.69 56.94 50.55 37.72 36.02 -4.5

34 North MT (Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 –na– –na– 33.49 27.62 21.47 20.64 -3.9

35 Rondonópolis MT (Rail teminal)5 Santos 1019 –na– –na– 43.29 39.98 32.13 29.69 -7.6

36 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)6 Santarém 224 –na– –na– –na– 14.67 9.17 9.89 7.9

37 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)6 Barcarena 738 –na– –na– –na– 18.85 14.68 15.53 5.8

1

Although each origin region comprises several cities, the main city is considered as a reference to establish the freight price; na=not available.

2

Distance from the main city of the considered region to the mentioned ports. 

3

Average monthly exchange rate from “Banco Central do Brasil” was used to convert Brazilian reais to U.S. dollars.

4

RS=Rio Grande do Sul, MT=Mato Grosso, GO=Goiás, PR=Paraná, PI=Piauí, MA=Maranhão, PA=Pará, and TO=Tocantins.

5

In Brazil, there are no published rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled and the terms of 

contracts signed between the railroad company and shippers.

6

In Brazil, there are no published barge rates. Barge rates can be up to 60 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled and the terms of 

contracts signed between the barge company and shippers. The distance is in nautical miles.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export routes, US$/metric ton, 2016-21
14

Truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export routes, reais/metric ton, 2016-21

Route 

# Origin1 (reference city) Destination Distance2(miles)

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 % 

change 

Freight price, reais/metric ton 2020-21 3

1 Northwest RS4 (Cruz Alta) Rio Grande 288 83.70 97.91 106.15 98.63 98.34 101.66 3.4

2 North MT (Sorriso) Santos 1,190 263.26 296.36 334.43 312.20 310.69 319.76 2.9

3 North MT (Sorriso) Paranaguá 1,262 259.49 285.12 328.71 298.83 306.56 316.02 3.1

4 South GO (Rio Verde) Santos 587 121.33 140.95 157.35 146.75 145.87 146.61 0.5

6 North Central PR (Londrina) Paranaguá 268 74.77 93.34 98.87 89.07 92.75 92.80 0.1

11 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Santos 901 179.27 202.86 226.32 210.83 212.84 220.44 3.6

27 North MT (Sorriso) Itaituba 672 145.97 190.01 204.53 183.26 162.06 171.70 6.0

29 North MT (Sorriso) Santarém 876 174.02 175.70 214.29 204.53 200.87 204.50 1.8

30 South MA (Balsas) São Luís 482 107.94 120.16 137.16 129.69 138.13 133.96 -3.0

31 Southwest PI (Bom Jesus) São Luís 606 119.74 141.67 169.77 154.46 153.25 157.30 2.6

32 Southeast PA (Paragominas) Barcarena 249 62.95 79.64 81.19 78.95 77.84 77.83 0.0

33 East TO (Campos Lindos) São Luís 842 175.24 196.74 207.55 198.95 193.24 194.31 0.6

34 North MT (Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 –na– –na– 121.48 108.61 109.95 111.36 1.3

35 Rondonópolis MT (Rail teminal)5 Santos 1019 –na– –na– 157.64 157.62 164.24 160.22 -2.4

36 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)6 Santarém 224 –na– –na– –na– 25.78 21.19 24.12 13.8

37 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)6 Barcarena 738 –na– –na– –na– 74.17 75.24 83.88 11.5

1

Although each origin region comprises several cities, the main city is considered as a reference to establish the freight price; na = not available.

2

Distance from the main city of the considered region to the mentioned ports. 

3

Average monthly exchange rate from “Banco Central do Brasil” was used to convert Brazilian reais to U.S. dollars.

4

RS = Rio Grande do Sul, MT= Mato Grosso, GO = Goiás, PR = Paraná, PI = Piauí, MA = Maranhão, PA = Pará, and TO = Tocantins.

5

In Brazil, there are no published rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled and the terms of 

contracts signed between the railroad company and shippers.

6

In Brazil, there are no published barge rates. Barge rates can be up to 60 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled and the terms of 

contracts signed between the barge company and shippers. The distance is in nautical miles.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
15

The 2021 ocean rates were the highest levels seen since the second quarters of 2007 and 2008. From 2020 to 

2021, on average, ocean rates from the southern Brazilian ports increased 6 percent to Hamburg, Germany, and 

3 percent to Shanghai, China. The increases were due to strong demand for shipping bulk items. The increases 

also resulted from tight vessel supply caused by congestion and other pandemic-related logistic challenges.

Brazilian soybean ocean freight from Santos to Shanghai, China, and Hamburg, Germany, 

2007-2021

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

$0.00

$20.00

$40.00

$60.00

$80.00

$100.00

$120.00

Q1_07Q3_07Q1_08Q3_08Q1_09Q3_09Q1_10Q3_10Q1_11Q3_11Q1_12Q3_12Q1_13Q3_13Q1_14Q3_14Q1_15Q3_15Q1_16Q3_16Q1_17Q3_17Q1_18Q3_18Q1_19Q3_19Q1_20Q3_20Q1_21Q3_21

U.S.$ per metric ton

Santos-Hamburg

Santos-Shanghai
16

Brazilian soybean ocean freight from selected ports to Shanghai, China, 2021

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

70.00

1st qtr 2nd qtr 3rd qtr 4th qtr

US$/metric ton

Santos-Shanghai

Santos-Hamburg

0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

70.00

80.00

1st qtr 2nd qtr 3rd qtr 4th qtr

US$/metric ton

Rio Grande

São Luís

Santos

Brazilian soybean ocean freight from Santos to Shanghai, China and Hamburg, Germany, 2021
17

On average, the cost to ship 1 mt of soybeans from Brazil to Hamburg, Germany, by oceangoing vessel 

increased from $25.11/mt in 2020 to $45.25/mt in 2021.

Ocean rates from Brazil to Hamburg, Germany, increased in 2021

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

On average, the cost to ship 1 mt of soybeans from Brazil to Shanghai by ocean vessel increased from 

$32.48/mt in 2020 to $54.21/mt in 2021. 

Ocean rates from Brazil to Shanghai, China, increased in 2021

0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

Santos Paranagua Rio Grande

US$/metric ton

Port of origin

3-port average 2021: $45.25 2020 2021

3-port average 2020: $25.11

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

Santos Paranagua Rio Grande

US$/metric ton

Port of origin

2020 2021

3-port average 2021: $54.21

3-port average 2020: $32.48
18

Brazilian farmers have benefited from the real’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar, because exported 

soybeans are priced in U.S. dollars, but producers are paid in reais. Measured in U.S. dollars, average soybean 

farm gate prices increased 40 percent from 2020 to 2021—from $346.55/mt to $485.13/mt. The depreciation 

of the real also led to higher domestic prices. On average, in reais, farm gate prices increased nearly 46 percent 

from 2020 to 2021—from R$1,796.88/mt to R$2,614.67.

Selected Brazilian farm prices, US$/metric ton, 2020-21

Note: RS=Rio Grande do Sul, MT=Mato Grosso, GO=Goiás, PR=Paraná, PI=Piauí, PA=Pará, and MA=Maranhão.

Source: Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB).

Selected Brazilian farm prices, reais/metric ton, 2020-21

Note: RS=Rio Grande do Sul, MT=Mato Grosso, GO=Goiás, PR=Paraná, PI=Piauí, PA=Pará, and MA=Maranhão.

Source: Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB).

RS MT GO PR PI PA MA

2020 1,840.19 1,858.18 1,715.82 1,777.75 1,772.10 1,780.71 1,831.99

2021 2,638.47 2,599.26 2,585.31 2,604.83 2,564.88 2,697.24 2,612.69

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

Reais/metric ton

+43% +40% +51% +47% +45% +51% +43%

RS MT GO PR PI PA MA

2020 354.57 357.23 331.01 343.22 342.39 344.10 353.30

2021 489.39 482.47 479.82 483.19 475.78 500.40 484.89

0.00

100.00

200.00

300.00

400.00

500.00

600.00

US$/metric ton

+38% +35% +45% +41% +39% +45% +37%
19

From 2020 to 2021, the Brazilian real depreciated nearly 5 percent against the U.S. dollar, from R$5.15 per U.S. 

dollar to R$5.40 per U.S. dollar.

Average quarterly exchange rate, real per U.S. dollar, 2019-21

Source: Banco Central do Brasil

Nearly half of Brazilian soybeans exports are moved by truck.

In Brazil, the mode that shipped the most soybeans to major export facilities was trucking, followed by rail, and 

barge. In contrast, in the United States, the mode that shipped the most soybeans to major export facilities 

was barge, followed by rail, and truck. Brazil continues to depend heavily on trucks to transport grain to 

major destinations. This dependence is ensured for some time, because of the long distances between major 

production regions and terminals for barge and rail, as well as limited rail and inland waterway infrastructure 

capacity. In Brazil, short-haul movements’ average distance is about 440 miles (707 kilometers (km)) from 

farm to rail and barge terminals. In the United States, the average distance from farm to inland grain elevators 

terminals is about 25-100 miles.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th

2019 3.77 3.92 3.97 4.11

2020 4.47 5.38 5.38 5.39

2021 5.48 5.29 5.23 5.59

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

5.00

5.50

6.00

6.50

7.00

Reais per US$

Average 2019: 3.94

Average 2021: 5.40

Average 2020: 5.15

U.S.-Brazil soybeans modal share, 2019, 

percent*

Mode Brazil United States

Total

Truck 67 53

Rail 24 20

Barge 9 27

Exports

Truck 49 9

Rail 38 29

Barge 13 62

Domestic

Truck 97 86

Rail 1 12

Barge 2 2

US-Brazil soybeans modal share for exports, 2019, 

percent*

Note: Brazil data compiled from the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT); National Water Transport Agency (ANTAQ), Comex-Vis, Ministry of 

Economy, and National Supply Company (CONAB). 

*Because of rounding, shares do not sum exactly to 100. 

Source: Modal share analysis results—calculations by the University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), 

Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Brazil United States

Truck 49 9

Rail 38 29

Barge 13 62

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Percentage shaare
20

Note: Data for 2020 are not available.

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

28.6

23.5

31.0

27.3

38.4

25.2

22.0

28.6

25.6

40.0

30.0 27.7

31.3 30.3

40.5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

South Southeast Center West Northeast North

Additional cost (%)

Brazil regions

2018 2019 2021

Average 2018: 26.7% Average 2019: 28.5%

Average 2021: 30.9% 

According to estimates based on the 2021 Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT) survey of overall 

highway conditions in Brazil, the 2021 marginal operational cost of cargo trucks was nearly 31 percent higher 

than it would have been if the trucks had used only paved roads in optimal condition. This additional cost 

reflects number of paved roads in poor condition. The share of the cost for not using paved roads in optimal 

condition continues to grow, rising from 29 percent in 2019 to 31 percent in 2021. For example, according to 

CNT, the actual cost in 2021 of shipping a metric ton of soybeans from Sorriso, North MT, to Santos was $100 

per metric ton (mt), but the optimal cost was $69.1/mt. 

Cost increases because of poor road pavement conditions, 2018-21
21

Transportation Infrastructure

Brazilian Minimum Freight Rates Law Update

On January 16, 2020, Brazil’s National Land Transportation Agency (ANTT) published updated guidelines to the 

National Policy of Minimum Freight Rates Law for truck cargo transportation.3

1. Shippers are obligated to pay backhaul freight rates for the return of empty containers. Shippers 

must also pay backhaul freight rates for trucks in specific fleets that cannot legally carry backhaul 

cargo—for example, trucks that carry fuel or gases and cannot return with another type of cargo.

2. The truck driver’s daily rate (salary and expenses for lodging and food) is included in the 

calculation of the minimum rate.

3. Pressurized cargo—such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen gases utilized in the food 

industry—have been added as a new type of cargo covered by the law.

4. Two new tables were created for high efficiency loading operations that take less time to load and 

unload, thereby reducing the waiting time for trucks and drivers. 

5. The costs of items included in the table (such as tires and maintenance) are to be updated every 6 

months.

Current status: The Brazilian Supreme Court held several conciliation hearings about the constitutionality of 

the law. Conciliation hearings are suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new date will be appointed 

in due time. Until then, the current law remains in force. The Brazilian Government created a provisional 

measure that changes the automatic parameters of the freight table according to the variation in the price 

of diesel from 10 percent to 5 percent due to the high volatility of fuel in Brazil. In July 2022, the ANTT’s

adjustments to the minimum freight rates resulted in an average increase of nearly 2 percent.

Background: On August 9, 2018, the National Policy of Minimum Freight Rates Law was enacted to end 

an 11-day nationwide strike in late May by the truck drivers who blocked highways, creating immediate 

shortages of critical products such as fuel, food, and medicines. The poultry and pork industries were hit 

especially hard (USDA, FAS, Gain Report BR1810). Shortages of fuel and animal feed affected farms and 

feedlots. Slaughterhouses idled their production lines when transportation to the ports was cut off and their 

refrigerated warehouses reached full capacity (USDA, FAS, Gain Report BR1810). Soybean exports were 

not significantly affected for the limited duration of the strike. The law allows ANTT to set minimum freight 

rates for trucking nationwide, reflecting total operating costs based on fuel costs, distances, tolls, and other 

factors (Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT) and AgriCensus). The minimum freight rates include a 

charge on backhaul trips, even if the truck is empty. Truckers are forbidden to negotiate contracts below the 

ANTT minimum. The law requires freight rates to be equal to, or above, the minimum rates set by the ANTT. 

Rates are published twice a year, on January 20 and July 20.4 The minimum freight rates are adjusted every 6 

months, based on several criteria, including fuel prices, inflation, and the cost of operations for independent 

drivers. Since 2018, organizations opposing these minimum mandatory freight rates have challenged the 

constitutionality of the law before Brazil’s Supreme Court.

3 On January 1, 2019, ANTT and the Fundação de Estudos Agrários Luiz de Queiroz (FEALQ) signed a 21-month contract to update the methodology 

and the minimum freight rate table.

4 The frequency with which freight rates will be published will change if the price of diesel fluctuates more than 10 percent from the set minimum 

price (USDA, FAS, Gain Report BR1812). If the freight rates are not published within the identified timeframe, the previous period’s freight rates—

updated by the National Consumer Price Index (IPCA)—will be valid. 
22

Investment Partnership Program (PPI): Selected Infrastructure Project Priorities That 

Facilitate Agricultural Exports

On February 1, 2019, the Brazilian government announced the infrastructure priorities for President 

Bolsonaro’s Administration (ANTT and CNT): 

1. The North-South (EF-151) Railroad: Porto National, Tocantins-Estrela d’Oeste, São Paulo. This 

railroad integrates four States: Tocantins, Goiás, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo with access to 

the northeastern port of Itaquí-Sâo Luis, Maranhão, and the southern port of Santos with an 

extension that is 955 miles (1,537 km) long. On August 8, 2019, Rumo S.A. signed the 30-year 

concession contract for Ferrovia Norte-Sul (North-South Railway) from Estrela d’Oeste to Porto 

Nacional. Rumo has 2 years to complete the 424 miles (682 km) between Anápolis and Estrela 

d’Oeste (95 percent completed) and start operations in 2021. Rumo has 2 years to make the 

railroad operate. 

Current Status:At the end of July 2021, Rumo started operating the most important section of 

Norte-Sul Railroad between Estrela D’Oeste (São Paulo), and São Simão (Goiás) (Globo.com). In 

addition, the company set up a rail terminal in Rio Verde (Goiás) with a capacity to handle 11 

million metric tons of grain and soybean meal per year to serve Goiás and eastern Mato Grosso. 

Despite being 124 miles (200 km) from São Simão, the terminal is now the closest one to the 

southwest Goiás producers. These two infrastructure investments facilitate the production flow 

from the largest agribusiness region in the country to the southern Port of Santos, bringing 

fertilizers in as backhaul. According to Rumo, this rail expansion offers an alternative route to 

Center-West producers that currently costs 15-20 percent less than trucking and offers even 

greater savings over barge through the Tietê-Paraná waterway.

In April 2022, Rumo stopped work on the last 180 miles (290 km) of the Norte-Sul Railroad 

between Rio Verde and Ouro Verde de Goiás. The previously constructed railroad section, ending 

in Tocantins, is already operating. Expected to be completed by the end of 2022, the Norte-Sul 

Railroad will be used to haul agricultural cargo from the north Goiás and south Tocantins to the 

Port of Santos. In addition, the new railroad will be used to transport containers from Maranhão 

to the Southeast region. Currently, Rumo’s focus is on transporting grain and oilseeds, such as 

soybeans, corn, and soybean meal. However, there is potential for other cargoes. In Rio Verde, a 

fertilizer plant was built in partnership with Andali—a joint venture of BRFertil with CHS Inc. (the 

largest U.S. agricultural cooperative). On August 9, 2022, the plant began operations and will offer 

structures for cargo transportation and fertilizer mixing.

2. The West-East Integration (FIOL) Railroad (EF-334): Ilhéus, Bahia, to Figueirópolis, Tocantins. 

Extension: 949 miles (1,527 km). FIOL will haul grains from Western Bahia and iron ore typical of 

the Caetité region in Central Bahia to the port city of Ilhéus. In the future, FIOL may be integrated 

with the North-South railroad. The project is divided into three sections: Section I: Ilhéus - Caetité, 

Bahia (334 miles (537 km)); Section 2: Caetité - Barreiras, Bahia (301 miles (485 km)); and Section 

3: Barreiras - Figueirópolis, Tocantins (314 miles (505 km)). 

Current Status: The Brazilian Government announced that Valec Engenharia, Construções 

e Ferrovias S.A. in partnership with the Army Engineering Construction Battalion will build 

the railroad. On April 8, 2021, Bahia Mineração S.A. (Bamin) won the auction of the 35-year 

concession to complete and operate section 1 (between Caetité and Ilhéus), which will facilitate 

iron ore exports from Bamin’s mines to the ports. In 2025, this section is expected to begin 

operations.
23

3. Ferrogrão Railroad (EF-170): The purpose is to consolidate the new Brazilian export rail corridor 

of the “Arco Norte” by connecting the grain-producing region of the Center-West to the State 

of Pará, ending at Miritituba Port. The EF-170 is expected to increase transport capacity and 

competitiveness within the corridor and alleviate traffic conditions on highway BR-163 by serving 

as an alternative route for soybean and corn exports. The estimated cost of the project is

$2.5 billion (R$14 billion).5 The concession is for 65 years. Public hearings and technical studies 

are complete. 

Current status: Currently, the project is under evaluation by the Federal Supreme Court and the 

Federal Audit Court.

4. BR-163: The 663-mile (1,067 km) stretch of BR-163 from Sorriso, North Mato Grosso, (Brazil’s 

largest grain producer) to Miritituba was completed in late November 2019. Currently, using this 

new route, it takes about 2 days to ship grain by truck to Miritituba. 

Current status: On April 1, 2022, Consortium Via Brasil signed the contract to operate Brazilian 

toll road BR 163. The concession is for 10 years, renewable for 2 more years. There are reports of 

road deterioration (A Tribuna).

Brazil’s New Transportation Regulations 

Rail regulations: On December 3, 2021, Brazil’s National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) established rules 

for the execution of projects by railroad concessionaires, ANTT Resolution no 5956. The purpose of the law 

is to expedite the technical analysis required for the ANTT to approve infrastructure improvements of the 

Concessionaire’s Interest Projects (PIC) and Third-Party Interest (PIT) projects. 

The PIC are now categorized as the following:

• Small-scale railway project, developed within the area covered by the concession, without the 

need for expropriation and with low environmental impact. Examples of small-scale projects 

include an expansion of a yard and the installation and relocation or demolition of a lane-change 

device.

• Large-scale railway project, with an extension equal to or greater than 6.2 miles (10 kilometers). 

Examples include a railway bypass, new stretch, branch, variant, or duplication of a railway line.

• Special artwork design project, such as a bridge, railway viaduct, underpass, and footbridge.

• Auxiliary installation project, such as an administrative building, filling and washing station, 

sandpit, and wagon and locomotive workshop; and

• Diverse project, such as level crossing (PN), pedestrian crossing (PNP) and signaling, as well as 

control system.

In the case of the PIC, if the project is classified as small railroads, special works of art, auxiliary installations 

and diverse, there will be an automatic authorization, after the presentation of PIC’s standard form. Except 

those projects that impact the economic-financial balance of the contract.

In the case of PIT projects, the works will be authorized after the concessionaire approves them and submits 

a standard form to ANTT. Most PIT projects encompass essential public services, such as railway crossings; 

5 Exchange rate of 5.48 real per U.S. dollar, July 22, 2022.
24

sanitation networks (water supply network, sewage collection network, urban drainage network); and electricpower-transmission lines, required by third parties (city halls, sanitation, and energy companies, among 

others).

BR do Mar Law: On January 10, 2022, the Brazilian Congress approved a cabotage project called “BR do 

Mar” (Road of the Sea) changing the rules to allow foreign ships to compete with Brazilian ones. The change 

increases fleet availability to cabotage in the national territory. With “BR do Mar,” the Government’s intention 

is to make the cabotage sector more attractive, stimulating competition and lowering costs. According to 

the Planning and Logistics Company (EPL), a public company linked to the Federal Government, cabotage 

accounts for only 11 percent of cargo transport in Brazil. Most of the freight is carried by truck (65 percent). 

EPL estimates that the BR do Mar program could reduce cabotage costs by more than 15 percent. According to 

EPL, the program could also increase containers transported per year from 1.2 million containers in 2019 to 2 

million in 2022. Finally, EPL estimates the fleet dedicated to cabotage could increase by 40 percent in the next 

3 years.
25

*Because of rounding, 2017 shares do not sum exactly to 100.

Source: National Logistics Plan (NLP) 2035, Scenario 4: planned projects and BR do Mar, Brazil Ministry of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics 

Company (EPL) 2021.

2017* 2035

Highways 66.2 50.8

Railways 17.7 31.1

Cabotage 9.2 10.6

Waterways 5.6 6.0

Others 5.0 1.9

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Percentage shaare

-15%

+13%

+1.4%

+0.4%

-3%

In 2021, the Brazilian Enterprise for Planning and Logistics (EPL) presented the Brazilian National Logistics 

Plan 2035 (NLP 2035) through joint efforts with the Ministry of Infrastructure to systematize and integrate 

the entire transport planning cycle at the federal level. The intention is that within the next 13 years, truck 

shipments will be reduced by 15 percent, from 66 to nearly 51 percent; railways’ participation will increase 

13 percent, from 18 to 31 percent; and cabotage and waterways usage will increase slightly. The improved 

infrastructure has significantly contributed to higher production of corn and soybeans in major agricultural 

producing regions. The NLP 2035 is a database with an integrated strategic plan of all modes of transport.

Brazil modal share for general cargo, 2017-35
26

Tonnages and modal share for Brazil soybeans, 2010-2019

Year

Long-haul truck* Short-haul truck* Total 

soybeans

1,000 tons Percent

Rail Barge

1,000 tons Percent 1,000 tons Percent 1,000 tons

Total

2010 51,218 74.7 13,908 20.2 3,562 5.1 68,688

2011 54,936 73.0 16,169 21.4 4,219 5.6 75,324

2012 47,679 72.0 14,596 21.9 4,108 6.1 66,383

2013 60,908 74.9 16,120 19.7 4,472 5.4 81,500

2014 66,119 76.8 15,985 18.5 4,069 4.7 86,173

2015 73,941 76.2 17,691 18.2 5,462 5.6 97,094

2016 71,408 74.7 17,666 18.4 6,624 6.9 95,698

2017 81,817 71.2 24,324 21.1 8,886 7.7 115,027

2018 79,390 64.5 32,841 26.6 11,028 8.9 123,259

2019 80,557 67.4 28,783 24.0 10,378 8.6 119,718

Export

2010 12,980 44.7 13,676 47.0 2,417 8.3 29,073

2011 13,964 42.4 15,960 48.4 3,051 9.2 32,975

2012 15,396 46.9 14,462 43.9 3,048 9.2 32,906

2013 23,492 55.0 15,997 37.3 3,307 7.7 42,796

2014 26,320 57.7 15,796 34.5 3,577 7.8 45,693

2015 31,406 57.9 17,456 32.1 5,462 10.0 54,324

2016 28,165 54.7 17,393 33.7 6,024 11.6 51,582

2017 36,323 53.4 24,017 35.2 7,815 11.4 68,154

2018 40,975 49.3 32,565 39.1 9,718 11.6 83,258

2019 36,225 49.1 28,442 38.3 9,406 12.6 74,073

Domestic

2010 38,239 96.7 232 0.5 1,145 2.9 39,614

2011 40,972 96.9 208 0.4 1,168 2.8 42,349

2012 32,283 96.5 134 0.4 1,060 3.1 33,477

2013 37,416 96.7 123 0.3 1,165 3.0 38,703

2014 39,799 98.4 190 0.4 492 1.2 40,481

2015 42,535 99.5 234 0.5 0 0 42,770

2016 43,243 98.1 273 0.6 600 1.3 44,116

2017 45,494 97.2 307 0.6 1,071 2.2 46,873

2018 38,416 96.2 276 0.6 1,310 3.2 40,001

2019 44,332 97.2 342 0.7 972 2.1 45,645

Note: Data compiled from the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT); National Water Transport Agency (ANTAQ), Comex-Vis, Ministry of Economy, 

and National Supply Company (CONAB). Data for 2020-21 is not available.

*Short-haul truck shipments refer to the average distance of 440 miles (707 kilometers) from the farm to rail and barge terminals.

Source: Modal share analysis results—calculations by the University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), 

Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
27

Transportation Indicators

Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports 

to Shanghai, China

 2021

1st qtr 2nd qtr 3rd qtr 4th qtr Avg 1st qtr 2nd qtr 3rd qtr 4th qtr Avg

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 60.94 66.24 59.59 50.42 59.30 58.57 65.99 59.53 50.39 58.62

Ocean 37.00 50.60 64.00 62.00 53.40 38.75 52.40 66.00 64.00 55.29

Total transportation 97.94 116.84 123.59 112.42 112.70 97.32 118.39 125.53 114.39 113.91

Farm gate price3 463.10 495.57 513.31 457.88 482.47 463.10 495.57 513.31 457.88 482.47

Landed cost 561.04 612.41 636.91 570.30 595.16 560.42 613.96 638.84 572.28 596.37

Transport % of landed cost 17.5 19.1 19.4 19.7 18.9 17.4 19.3 19.6 20.0 19.1

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 22.18 23.05 19.88 17.44 20.64 19.91 21.09 18.32 16.06 18.85

Rail4 30.95 30.44 30.09 27.27 29.69 - - - - -

Ocean 37.00 50.60 64.00 62.00 53.40 37.25 51.00 64.75 62.75 53.94

Total transportation 90.13 104.10 113.97 106.71 103.73 57.16 72.09 83.07 78.81 72.78

Farm gate price3 463.10 495.57 513.31 457.88 482.47 475.64 505.86 497.59 478.45 489.39

Landed cost 553.22 599.67 627.28 564.59 586.19 532.80 577.95 580.66 557.26 562.17

Transport % of landed cost 16.3 17.4 18.2 18.9 17.7 10.7 12.5 14.3 14.1 12.9

1

Producing regions: RS=Rio Grande do Sul and MT=Mato Grosso.

2

Export port.

3

The source of the farm gate price is the Brazilian Government, Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB).

4

In Brazil, there are no published rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled and 

the terms of contracts signed between the railroad company and shippers. 

Note: qtr=quarter. mt=metric ton. Avg=average.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
28

Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports 

to Hamburg, Germany

 2021

1st qtr 2nd qtr 3rd qtr 4th qtr Avg 1st qtr 2nd qtr 3rd qtr 4th qtr Avg

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 60.94 66.24 59.59 50.42 59.30 58.57 65.99 59.53 50.39 58.62

Ocean 31.25 42.70 54.00 52.50 45.11 31.00 41.90 53.00 51.50 44.35

Total transportation 92.19 108.94 113.59 102.92 104.41 89.57 107.89 112.53 101.89 102.97

Farm gate price3 463.10 495.57 513.31 457.88 482.47 463.10 495.57 513.31 457.88 482.47

Landed cost 555.29 604.51 626.91 560.80 586.88 552.67 603.46 625.84 559.78 585.44

Transport % of landed cost 16.6 18.0 18.1 18.4 17.8 16.2 17.9 18.0 18.2 17.6

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 22.18 23.05 19.88 17.44 20.64 19.91 21.09 18.32 16.06 18.85

Rail4 30.95 30.44 30.09 27.27 29.69 - - - -

Ocean 31.25 42.70 54.00 52.50 45.11 32.00 43.80 55.50 53.80 46.28

Total transportation 84.38 96.20 103.97 97.21 95.44 51.91 64.89 73.82 69.86 65.12

Farm gate price3 463.10 495.57 513.31 457.88 482.47 475.64 505.86 497.59 478.45 489.39

Landed cost 547.47 591.77 617.28 555.09 577.90 527.55 570.75 571.41 548.31 554.51

Transport % of landed cost 15.4 16.3 16.8 17.5 16.5 9.8 11.4 12.9 12.7 11.7

1

Producing regions: RS=Rio Grande do Sul and MT=Mato Grosso.

2

Export port.

3

The source of the farm gate price is the Brazilian Government, Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB).

4

In Brazil, there are no published rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled and 

the terms of contracts signed between the railroad company and shippers. 

Note: qtr=quarter. mt=metric ton. Avg=average.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
29

Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the northern and northeastern 

ports to Shanghai, China

 2021

1st qtr 2nd qtr 3rd qtr 4th qtr Avg 1st qtr 2nd qtr 3rd qtr 4th qtr Avg

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 40.01 42.08 37.51 32.06 37.91 25.06 28.77 25.51 20.06 24.85

Ocean 40.54 55.60 67.50 65.60 57.31 41.00 55.60 68.00 66.00 57.65

Total transportation 80.55 97.68 105.01 97.66 95.22 66.06 84.37 93.51 86.06 82.50

Farm gate price3 463.10 495.57 513.31 457.88 482.47 466.73 503.18 501.47 468.17 484.89

Landed cost 543.64 593.25 618.32 555.54 577.69 532.79 587.55 594.97 554.23 567.38

Transport % of landed cost 14.8 16.5 17.0 17.6 16.5 12.4 14.4 15.7 15.5 14.5

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

Truck 29.27 34.77 27.33 25.22 29.15 34.86 38.44 29.35 24.71 31.84

Barge4 - - - - - 16.37 15.79 14.89 15.05 15.53

Ocean 41.00 55.60 68.00 66.00 57.65 42.00 58.20 70.00 68.00 59.55

Total transportation 70.27 90.37 95.33 91.22 86.80 93.23 112.44 114.24 107.76 106.92

Farm gate price3 484.07 489.79 483.65 445.58 475.78 463.10 495.57 513.31 457.88 482.47

Landed cost 554.34 580.17 578.98 536.80 562.57 556.33 608.01 627.56 565.64 589.38

Transport % of landed cost 12.7 15.7 16.5 17.0 15.5 16.8 18.5 18.2 19.1 18.1

1

Producing regions: MT=Mato Grosso, PI=Piauí, and MA=Maranhão.

2

Export port.

3

The source of the farm gate price is the Brazilian Government, Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB).

4

In Brazil, there are no published barge rates. Barge rates can be up to 60 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled and the 

terms of contracts signed between the barge company and shippers. The distance is in nautical miles. 

Note: qtr=quarter. mt=metric ton. Avg=average.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
30

Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the northern and northeastern 

ports to Hamburg, Germany

 2021

1st qtr 2nd qtr 3rd qtr 4th qtr Avg 1st qtr 2nd qtr 3rd qtr 4th qtr Avg

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 40.01 42.08 37.51 32.06 37.91 25.06 28.77 25.51 20.06 24.85

Ocean 28.65 40.00 50.60 49.10 42.09 33.25 45.90 58.00 56.30 48.36

Total transportation 68.66 82.08 88.11 81.16 80.00 58.31 74.67 83.51 76.36 73.21

Farm gate price3 463.10 495.57 513.31 457.88 482.47 466.73 503.18 501.47 468.17 484.89

Landed cost 531.75 577.65 601.42 539.04 562.47 525.04 577.85 584.97 544.53 558.10

Transport % of landed cost 12.9 14.2 14.6 15.1 14.2 11.1 12.9 14.3 14.0 13.1

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

Truck 29.27 34.77 27.33 25.22 29.15 34.86 38.44 29.35 24.71 31.84

Barge4 - - - - - 16.37 15.79 14.89 15.05 15.53

Ocean 33.25 45.90 58.00 56.30 48.36 28.10 38.90 49.20 47.80 41.00

Total transportation 62.52 80.67 85.33 81.52 77.51 79.33 93.14 93.44 87.56 88.37

Farm gate price3 484.07 489.79 483.65 445.58 475.78 463.10 495.57 513.31 457.88 482.47

Landed cost 546.59 570.47 568.98 527.10 553.28 542.43 588.71 606.76 545.44 570.83

Transport % of landed cost 11.4 14.1 15.0 15.5 14.0 14.6 15.8 15.4 16.1 15.5

1

Producing regions: MT=Mato Grosso, PI=Piauí, and MA=Maranhão.

2

Export port.

3

The source of the farm gate price is the Brazilian Government, Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB).

4

In Brazil, there are no published barge rates. Barge rates can be up to 60 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled and the 

terms of contracts signed between the barge company and shippers. The distance is in nautical miles. 

Note: qtr=quarter. mt=metric ton. Avg=average.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
31

Truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2021

Route # Origin1

(reference city) Destination Distance(miles)2

Share 

(%)3

Freight price (US$/mt/100miles) 4

1st qtr 2nd qtr 3rd qtr 4th qtr Avg

1 Northwest RS5 (Cruz Alta) Rio Grande 288 12.0 6.91 7.32 6.36 5.58 6.54

2 North MT (Sorriso) Santos 1,190 3.3 5.12 5.57 5.01 4.24 4.98

3 North MT (Sorriso) Paranaguá 1,262 3.1 4.64 5.23 4.72 3.99 4.65

4 South GO (Rio Verde) Santos 587 4.9 4.96 5.11 4.54 3.91 4.63

5 South GO (Rio Verde) Paranaguá 726 3.9 5.07 5.33 4.77 4.07 4.81

6 North Central PR (Londrina) Paranaguá 268 2.8 7.17 7.15 6.08 5.26 6.42

7 Western Central PR (Mamborê) Paranaguá 311 2.2 6.63 6.27 5.48 5.09 5.87

8 Triangle MG (Uberaba) Santos 339 3.0 6.86 6.94 6.03 5.25 6.27

9 West PR (Assis Chateaubriand) Paranaguá 377 1.7 6.08 5.93 5.23 4.60 5.46

10 West Extreme BA (São Desidério) Salvador 535 5.9 5.28 5.69 5.17 4.30 5.11

11 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Santos 901 2.5 4.69 5.27 4.43 3.77 4.54

12 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Paranaguá 975 2.3 4.58 5.08 4.43 3.77 4.47

13 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Paranaguá 612 3.0 5.68 5.51 4.92 4.23 5.09

14 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Santos 652 2.8 5.47 5.60 4.86 4.18 5.03

15 West PR (Assis Chateaubriand) Santos 550 1.2 5.35 5.54 4.92 4.24 5.01

16 East GO (Cristalina) Santos 585 1.9 5.72 6.00 5.34 4.57 5.41

17 North PR (Cornélio Procópio) Paranaguá 306 1.7 5.84 5.81 4.86 4.32 5.21

18 Eastern Central PR (Castro) Paranaguá 130 2.0 8.74 9.00 7.52 6.46 7.93

19 South Central PR (Guarapuava) Paranaguá 204 2.3 8.46 8.45 7.25 6.27 7.61

20 North Central MS 

(São Gabriel do Oeste) Santos 720 2.4 4.61 4.79 4.26 3.65 4.33

21 Ribeirão Preto SP (Guairá) Santos 314 0.0 5.42 5.69 4.76 4.21 5.02

22 Northeast MT (Canarana) Santos 950 3.6 4.78 5.34 4.55 3.88 4.64

23 East MS (Chapadão do Sul) Santos 607 0.0 4.64 4.79 4.22 3.63 4.32

24 Northeast MT (Canarana) Paranaguá 1,075 3.2 4.23 5.04 4.54 3.85 4.42

25 Western Central RS (Tupanciretã) Rio Grande 273 2.7 5.42 6.62 5.98 4.79 5.70

26 Southwest PR (Chopinzinho) Paranaguá 291 1.5 6.83 7.32 6.37 5.50 6.51

27 North MT (Sorriso) Itaituba 672 5.8 5.19 5.72 4.37 3.68 4.74

28 North MT (Sorriso) Porto Velho 632 6.2 4.55 4.94 4.39 3.77 4.41

29 North MT (Sorriso) Santarém 876 4.4 4.57 4.80 4.28 3.66 4.33

30 South MA (Balsas) São Luís 482 2.2 5.20 5.97 5.30 4.17 5.16

31 Southwest PI (Bom Jesus) São Luís 606 2.5 4.83 5.74 4.51 4.16 4.81

32 Southeast PA (Paragominas) Barcarena 249 1.6 6.61 6.46 5.36 4.77 5.80

33 East TO (Campos Lindos) São Luís 842 1.4 4.51 4.75 4.24 3.62 4.28

Weighted average 587 100.0 5.60 5.94 5.16 4.44 5.29

34 North MT (Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 5.81 6.04 5.20 4.57 5.40

35 Rondonópolis MT (Rail teminal)6 Santos 1,019 3.04 2.99 2.95 2.68 2.91

36 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)7 Santarém 224 5.97 4.49 3.51 3.69 4.41

37 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)7 Barcarena 738 2.22 2.14 2.02 2.04 2.10

1

The main city in the region is considered as a reference to establish the freight price.

2

Distance from the main city of the considered region to the mentioned ports.

3

Share of exports in total production (percentage).

4

Average monthly exchange rate from “Banco Central do Brasil” was used to convert Brazilian reais to U.S. dollars.

5

RS=Rio Grande do Sul, MT=Mato Grosso, GO=Goiás, PR=Paraná, MG=Minas Gerais, BA=Bahia, MS=Mato Grosso do Sul, SP=São Paulo, PI=Piauí, 

MA=Maranhão, PA=Pará, and TO=Tocantins.

6

Weighted average is calculated from production-based shares to weight high-volume routes more heavily than low-volume routes. The share 

associated with each route is used to define the weight of a given route’s freight price in the composition of the weighted export freight index for 

trucks (calculated monthly).

7

In Brazil, there are no published rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled and the 

terms of contracts signed between the railroad company and shippers.

8

In Brazil, there are no published barge rates. Barge rates can be up to 60 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled and the 

terms of contracts signed between the barge company and shippers. The distance is in nautical miles.

Note: qtr=quarter. mt=metric ton. Avg=average.

For more details, on the definitions/calculations contact esalqlog@esalqlog.esalq.usp.br.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
32

Truck rates for selected southern Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2018-21

Note: mt=metric ton. PR=Paraná, MT=Mato Grosso, and MS=Mato Grosso do Sul. 

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

$0

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

$7

$8

$9

$10

$11

$12

$13

$14

01/1804/1807/1810/1801/1904/1907/1910/1901/2004/2007/2010/2001/2104/2107/2110/21

US$/mt /100 miles

Western Central PR to Paranaguá

Southwest MS to Paranaguá

North MT to Paranaguá

Truck rates for selected north, south, and northeastern Brazilian soybean export 

transportation routes, 2018-21

Note: mt=metric ton. MT=Mato Grosso and MA=Maranhão.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

$0

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

$7

$8

$9

$10

$11

$12

Jan-18

Apr-18

Jul-18

Oct-18

Jan-19

Apr-19

Jul-19

Oct-19

Jan-20

Apr-20

Jul-20

Oct-20

Jan-21

Apr-21

Jul-21

Oct-21

US$/mt/100 miles

North MT (Sorriso) to

Santos

North MT to

Paranaguá

North MT (Sorriso) to

Santarém

North MT (Sorriso) to

Itaituba

 South MA (Balsas) to

São Luís
33

Brazilian soybean export truck transportation weighted average prices, 2018-21

Note: mt=metric ton.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

$0

$2

$4

$6

$8

$10

$12

Jan-18

Apr-18

Jul-18

Oct-18

Jan-19

Apr-19

Jul-19

Oct-19

Jan-20

Apr-20

Jul-20

Oct-20

Jan-21

Apr-21

Jul-21

Oct-21

US$/mt/100 miles
Monthly Brazilian soybean export truck transportation cost index, 2014-21

Month Freight price* 

(per 100 miles)

Index variation (%) 

(Base: prior month)

Index value 

(Base: Jan. 05 = 100) Month Freight price* (per 100 miles)

Index variation (%) 

(Base: prior month)

Index value 

(Base: Jan. 05 = 100)

Jan-14 8.86 -0.6 152.73 Jan-18 7.59 5.0 130.90

Feb-14 10.34 16.7 178.24 Feb-18 8.65 13.9 149.04

Mar-14 11.61 12.3 200.13 Mar-18 10.59 22.5 182.61

Apr-14 11.35 -2.2 195.65 Apr-18 9.78 -7.7 168.59

May-14 10.90 -4.0 187.89 May-18 8.96 -8.4 154.45

Jun-14 10.34 -5.1 178.24 Jun-18 8.89 -0.8 153.24

Jul-14 10.16 -1.7 175.21 Jul-18 8.97 0.9 154.58

Aug-14 10.10 -0.6 174.08 Aug-18 8.24 -8.1 142.00

Sep-14 9.66 -4.3 166.54 Sep-18 7.24 -12.1 124.78

Oct-14 8.77 -9.3 151.13 Oct-18 7.69 6.2 132.55

Nov-14 8.36 -4.6 144.16 Nov-18 7.51 -2.3 129.44

Dec-14 7.96 -4.9 137.15 Dec-18 7.19 -4.3 123.87

Jan-15 8.01 0.7 138.15 Jan-19 7.72 7.5 133.13

Feb-15 8.02 0.1 138.29 Feb-19 8.19 6.0 141.15

Mar-15 8.32 3.7 143.44 Mar-19 7.34 -10.3 126.61

Apr-15 9.00 8.2 155.13 Apr-19 7.16 -2.6 123.35

May-15 8.39 -6.8 144.58 May-19 6.73 -5.9 116.02

Jun-15 8.01 -4.5 138.12 Jun-19 6.94 3.1 119.56

Jul-15 7.56 -5.7 130.25 Jul-19 8.33 20.1 143.60

Aug-15 7.38 -2.4 127.15 Aug-19 7.85 -5.8 135.23

Sep-15 6.60 -10.5 113.78 Sep-19 7.09 -9.7 122.17

Oct-15 6.70 1.5 115.43 Oct-19 6.57 -7.4 113.19

Nov-15 7.08 5.8 122.08 Nov-19 6.41 -2.3 110.54

Dec-15 6.76 -4.5 116.56 Dec-19 5.93 -7.5 102.21

Jan-16 6.42 -5.1 110.63 Jan-20 6.03 1.7 103.90

Feb-16 6.73 4.8 115.98 Feb-20 6.76 12.2 116.52

Mar-16 7.79 15.8 134.33 Mar-20 6.20 -8.2 106.95

Apr-16 8.30 6.5 143.05 Apr-20 5.86 -5.5 101.09

May-16 7.28 -12.3 125.43 May-20 5.26 -10.4 90.58

Jun-16 7.16 -1.5 123.51 Jun-20 5.45 3.7 93.95

Jul-16 7.46 4.2 128.64 Jul-20 5.44 -0.2 93.74

Aug-16 7.33 -1.7 126.41 Aug-20 5.41 -0.4 93.34

Sep-16 6.35 -13.3 109.53 Sep-20 5.58 3.0 96.14

Oct-16 5.88 -7.5 101.35 Oct-20 4.97 -10.8 85.71

Nov-16 5.00 -14.9 86.21 Nov-20 4.58 -7.9 78.95

Dec-16 5.47 9.4 94.32 Dec-20 4.32 -5.8 74.39

Jan-17 7.32 33.8 126.20 Jan-21 4.26 -1.3 73.39

Feb-17 9.85 34.6 169.85 Feb-21 5.60 31.5 96.50

Mar-17 10.38 5.3 178.90 Mar-21 6.93 23.8 119.49

Apr-17 9.52 -8.3 164.05 Apr-21 6.20 -10.5 106.96

May-17 8.75 -8.0 150.90 May-21 5.76 -7.2 99.22

Jun-17 8.18 -6.5 141.04 Jun-21 5.87 2.0 101.22

Jul-17 8.74 6.8 150.66 Jul-21 5.09 -13.4 87.70

Aug-17 9.85 12.7 169.76 Aug-21 5.09 0.1 87.81

Sep-17 8.97 -9.0 154.55 Sep-21 5.31 4.2 91.53

Oct-17 8.64 -3.6 148.93 Oct-21 4.49 -15.5 77.36

Nov-17 8.36 -3.2 144.11 Nov-21 4.28 -4.6 73.80

Dec-17 7.23 -13.5 124.63 Dec-21 4.54 6.0 78.26

*Weighted average is calculated from production-based shares to weight high-volume routes more heavily than low-volume routes. The share associated 

with each route is used to define the weight of a given route’s freight price in the composition of the weighted export freight index for trucks (calculated 

monthly). 

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
35

Quarterly ocean freight rates for shipping soybeans from selected Brazilian ports to 

Shanghai, China, 2015-21 (US$/metric ton)*

Port 1st qtr 2018 2nd qtr 2018 3rd qtr 2018 4th qtr 2018 2018 Average

Santos 32.50 31.00 27.75 30.00 30.31

Paranaguá 32.00 32.00 28.75 31.00 30.94

Rio Grande 33.00 31.50 28.25 31.00 30.94

Santarém 38.50 35.50 31.25 34.00 34.81

São Luís 37.00 34.80 30.75 33.00 33.89

Barcarena 37.50 33.80 32.25 35.00 34.64

Port 1st qtr 2015 2nd qtr 2015 3rd qtr 2015 4th qtr 2015 2015 Average

Santos 29.50 22.50 23.25 20.00 23.81

Paranaguá 31.50 23.50 24.18 20.50 24.92

Rio Grande 29.50 25.00 25.75 21.00 25.31

Santarém 32.00 25.00 25.75 23.50 26.56

São Luís 32.00 25.00 25.75 23.50 26.56

Barcarena 32.00 25.00 25.75 23.50 26.56

Port 1st qtr 2016 2nd qtr 2016 3rd qtr 2016 4th qtr 2016 2016 Average

Santos 17.50 16.50 12.50 20.00 16.63

Paranaguá 18.00 18.50 14.50 21.50 18.13

Rio Grande 18.50 17.00 13.00 20.50 17.25

Santarém 22.00 21.00 19.40 23.75 21.54

São Luís 20.00 18.40 17.50 22.00 19.48

Barcarena 22.50 21.50 20.00 23.75 21.94

Port 1st qtr 2017 2nd qtr 2017 3rd qtr 2017 4th qtr 2017 2017 Average

Santos 18.50 29.00 30.00 30.00 26.88

Paranaguá 20.50 30.50 31.00 31.50 28.38

Rio Grande 18.00 29.50 31.00 30.70 27.30

Santarém 24.00 33.50 31.00 34.50 30.75

São Luís 23.50 30.25 31.00 33.50 29.56

Barcarena 24.00 33.50 31.00 34.50 30.75

Port 1st qtr 2019 2nd qtr 2019 3rd qtr 2019 4th qtr 2019 2019 Average

Santos 32.25 30.92 33.25 38.17 33.65

Paranaguá 33.75 31.42 34.75 39.50 34.86

Rio Grande 31.58 30.25 30.58 39.67 33.94

Santarém 32.25 30.58 38.25 39.17 35.06

São Luís 31.00 30.58 38.25 39.42 34.81

Barcarena 32.25 29.92 38.25 39.42 34.96

Port 1st qtr 2021 2nd qtr 2021 3rd qtr 2021 4th qtr 2021 2021 Average

Santos 37.00 50.60 64.00 62.00 53.40

Paranaguá 38.75 52.40 66.00 64.00 55.29

Rio Grande 37.25 51.00 64.75 62.75 53.94

Santarém 40.54 55.60 67.50 65.60 57.31

São Luís 41.00 56.60 68.00 66.00 57.90

Barcarena 42.00 58.20 70.00 68.00 59.55

*The rates correspond to the average actual values negotiated between shippers and carriers and weighted according to the magnitude of the 

shipped volume.

Note: qtr=quarter.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Port 1st qtr 2020 2nd qtr 2020 3rd qtr 2020 4th qtr 2020 2020 Average

Santos 35.50 27.08 31.33 31.67 31.40

Paranaguá 37.25 28.83 33.08 33.42 33.15

Rio Grande 37.00 28.58 32.83 33.17 32.90

Santarém 36.50 28.08 34.83 35.21 33.66

São Luís 36.75 28.33 35.33 35.67 34.02

Barcarena 38.50 28.33 36.33 36.67 34.96
36

Quarterly ocean freight rates for shipping soybeans from selected Brazilian ports 

to Hamburg, Germany, 2015-21 (US$/metric ton)*

Port 1st qtr 2016 2nd qtr 2016 3rd qtr 2016 4th qtr 2016 2016 Average

Santos 16.00 17.00 16.50 23.00 18.13

Paranaguá 16.00 17.00 16.50 24.00 18.38

Rio Grande 16.00 17.00 16.50 23.00 18.13

Santarém 11.03 14.13 15.00 19.80 14.99

São Luís 8.25 11.00 11.80 15.80 11.71

Barcarena 9.60 12.45 13.20 17.35 13.15

Port 1st qtr 2017 2nd qtr 2017 3rd qtr 2017 4th qtr 201 2017 Average

Santos 21.00 24.00 26.00 27.00 24.50

Paranaguá 22.00 25.00 27.00 28.00 25.50

Rio Grande 22.00 25.00 27.00 28.00 25.50

Santarém 21.00 23.60 25.00 26.00 23.90

São Luís 17.60 20.00 21.20 22.00 20.20

Barcarena 18.00 20.60 21.80 22.70 20.78

Port 1st qtr 2015 2nd qtr 2015 3rd qtr 2015 4th qtr 2015 2015 Average

Santos 22.00 21.00 19.00 17.00 19.75

Paranaguá 22.00 21.00 19.00 17.00 19.75

Rio Grande 22.00 21.00 19.00 17.00 19.75

Santarém 20.00 14.50 13.50 20.00 17.00

São Luís 20.00 18.25 16.38 20.50 18.78

Barcarena 20.00 16.00 15.20 21.00 18.05

Port 1st qtr 2018 2nd qtr 2018 3rd qtr 2018 4th qtr 2018 2018 Average

Santos 27.00 25.00 24.00 25.00 25.25

Paranaguá 28.00 26.00 25.00 26.00 26.25

Rio Grande 28.00 26.00 25.00 26.00 26.25

Santarém 25.00 22.90 22.50 23.00 23.35

São Luís 21.00 19.10 18.50 19.00 19.40

Barcarena 23.00 20.90 20.20 20.00 21.03

Port 1st qtr 2019 2nd qtr 2019 3rd qtr 2019 4th qtr 2019 2019 Average

Santos 23.00 21.50 27.00 31.00 25.63

Paranaguá 23.00 21.25 27.00 30.75 25.50

Rio Grande 23.00 21.25 27.00 31.25 25.63

Santarém 21.00 20.25 25.92 26.50 23.42

São Luís 18.00 17.10 22.77 23.50 20.34

Barcarena 19.00 17.85 23.52 24.25 21.16

Port 1st qtr 2021 2nd qtr 2021 3rd qtr 2021 4th qtr 2021 2021 Average

Santos 31.25 42.70 54.00 52.50 45.11

Paranaguá 31.00 41.90 53.00 51.50 44.35

Rio Grande 32.00 43.80 55.50 53.80 46.28

Santarém 28.65 40.00 50.60 49.10 42.09

São Luís 33.25 45.90 58.00 56.30 48.36

Barcarena 28.10 38.90 49.20 47.80 41.00

*The rates correspond to the average actual values negotiated between shippers and carriers and weighted according to the magnitude of the 

shipped volume.

Note: qtr=quarter.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/ USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Port 1st qtr 2020 2nd qtr 2020 3rd qtr 2020 4th qtr 2020 2020 Average

Santos 29.25 20.50 24.00 25.25 24.75

Paranaguá 30.00 21.50 25.00 25.35 25.46

Rio Grande 29.50 20.75 24.50 25.75 25.13

Santarém 25.00 16.00 20.75 22.00 20.94

São Luís 22.25 17.50 25.00 26.30 22.76

Barcarena 24.00 15.00 20.50 21.75 20.31
37

Soybean Production

Soybean production by state, 2020/21-2021/22

Region/State

Production*

2020-21

(1,000 mt)

Production**

2021-22

(1,000 mt)

% Change

2020-21

NORTH

Roraima (RR) 285.0 360.0 26.3

Rondônia (RO) 1,668.8 1,705.4 2.2

Acre (AC) 20.4 17.5 -14.2

Amazonas (AM) 13.5 13.5 0.0

Amapá (AP) 17.2 17.6 2.3

Pará (PA) 2,497.9 2,790.1 11.7

Tocantins (TO) 3,877.1 3,732.0 -3.7

Total 8,379.9 8,636.1 3.1

NORTHEAST

Maranhão (MA) 3,573.6 3,759.7 5.2

Piauí (PI) 3,014.0 3,137.7 4.1

Alagoas (AL) 6.2 9.1 46.8

Bahia (BA) 7,283.1 7,488.7 2.8

Total 13,876.9 14,395.2 3.7

CENTER-WEST

Mato Grosso (MT) 41,490.20 41,146.00 -0.8

Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) 8,932.7 13,145.1 47.2

Goiás (GO) 17,389.9 17,673.6 1.6

Distrito Federal (DF) 313.2 318.5 1.7

Total 68,126.0 72,283.2 6.1

SOUTHEAST

Minas Gerais (MG) 7,590.5 7,607.5 0.2

São Paulo (SP) 4,176.5 4,427.1 6.0

Total 11,767.0 12,034.6 2.3

SOUTH

Paraná (PR) 12,250.3 20,783.6 69.7

Santa Catarina (SC) 2,038.7 2,604.5 27.8

Rio Grande do Sul (RS) 9,111.0 21,615.0 137.2

Total 23,400.0 45,003.1 92.3

 TOTAL PRODUCTION 125,549.8 152,352.2 21.3

*Data based on calendar year, January-December

**Forecast, October 2022

Source: Companhia Nacional de abastecimento (CONAB).
38

Brazil soybean supply and distribution (local marketing years)

Year*

Area harvested Beginning 

stocks Production Imports Total supply Exports Crush Domestic consumption

Ending 

stocks

1,000 hectares 1,000 metric tons

2009/10 23,500 5,877 69,000 150 75,027 29,188 35,700 38,100 7,739

2010/11 24,200 7,739 75,300 40 83,079 33,789 37,264 39,664 9,626

2011/12 25,000 9,626 66,500 298 76,424 31,905 36,230 38,630 5,889

2012/13 27,700 5,889 82,000 240 88,129 42,826 36,432 38,807 6,496

2013/14 30,100 6,496 86,200 579 93,275 45,747 38,195 40,745 6,783

2014/15 32,100 6,783 97,100 329 104,212 54,635 40,339 42,989 6,588

2015/16 33,300 6,588 95,700 362 102,650 52,099 39,967 42,642 7,909

2016/17 33,900 7,909 114,900 267 123,076 68,806 42,161 44,936 9,334

2017/18 35,150 9,334 123,400 190 132,924 83,728 43,389 46,224 2,972

2018/19 35,900 2,972 120,500 145 123,617 73,436 43,495 46,410 3,771

2019/20 36,900 3,771 128,500 884 133,155 81,626 46,473 49,568 1,961

2020/21 39,500 1,961 139,500 791 142,252 88,512 48,285 51,490 2,250

2021/22 41,500 2,250 127,000 550 129,800 73,500 50,000 53,245 3,055

2022/23** 42,900 3,055 152,000 750 155,805 96,500 52,000 55,600 3,705

*Data based on Brazil’s local February/January Marketing Year (MY). Where February 2021-January 2022 is the 2020/21 MY.

**Forecast, October 12, 2022.

Source: USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service/Market and Trade Data/Reports/Oilseeds
39

Top 15 Brazilian 

soybean exporting states, 2019-21

State

2019 2020 2021

Rank

1,000 metric ton

Mato Grosso (MT) 20,228 22,326 23,766 1 

Rio Grande do Sul (RS) 9,620 13,404 12,538 2 

Paraná (PR) 11,619 8,466 10,644 3 

Goiás (GO) 4,696 7,318 7,414 4 

Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) 3,765 4,901 5,426 5 

São Paulo (SP) 3,279 4,796 4,959 6 

Minas Gerais (MG) 3,285 4,560 4,668 7 

Bahia (BA) 3,253 3,761 3,990 8 

Tocantins (TO) 2,214 2,554 2,904 9 

Maranhão (MA) 2,306 2,299 2,794 10 

Pará (PA) 1,509 2,227 1,961 11 

Rondônia (RO) 1,176 1,188 1,539 12 

Piauí (PI) 1,115 1,244 1,501 13 

Santa Catarina (SC) 1,861 1,935 1,455 14 

Roraima (RR) 120 100 146 15 

Others 4,018 1,890 397

Total 74,064 82,968 86,100

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

Exports
40

Top five Brazilian soybean exporting states, 2019-21

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

Brazil average monthly soybean exports, 2018-21

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0

5

10

15

20

25

2019 2020 2021

Million metric tons

Mato Grosso (MT)

Rio Grande do Sul (RS)

Paraná (PR)

Goiás (GO)

Mato Grosso do Sul (MS)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2018-20 2.1 5.5 11.7 14.3 15.1 13.1 11.4 7.8 5.6 5.3 4.7 3.2

2021 0.1 3.1 14.7 18.7 17.4 12.9 10.1 7.5 5.6 3.8 3.0 3.1

Percentage

2018-20 2021
41

Main export routes for soybeans

1

World Wildlife Fund.

2

Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics—Produção Agricola Municipal.

Source: USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
42

World export routes for Brazilian soybeans

Source:USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service and USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service.

Top five Brazilian soybean-export destinations, 2019-21

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

China Netherlands Thailand Spain Turkey

Million metric tons

2019 2020 2021
43

In 2021, Brazil was the leading soybean exporter, followed by the United States, Paraguay, Argentina, and 

Canada. USDA forecasts that Brazil will sustain its leadership position in 2022.

Top five world soybean-exporting countries, 2020/21-2022/23*

*Forecast October 12, 2022.

Source:USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service/Market and Trade/Reports/PSD Reports/Oilseeds.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

 Brazil

 United States

 Paraguay

 Argentina

 Canada

 Other

(Million metric tons)

2020/21 2021/22 Sept 2022/23*
44

Exports to China

In 2021, Brazil exported 60.5 mmt of soybeans to China, valued at $27.2 billion, slightly less than 2020’s total 

(60.6 mmt), accounting for 70 percent of Brazil’s total exports (86.1 mmt). Over 90 percent of Brazilian soybean 

exports to China in 2021 originated from Mato Grosso, Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, 

São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Tocantins, and Maranhão.

Brazil average monthly soybean exports to China, 2018-21

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.
45

Top 15 Brazilian soybean exporting states to China, 2019-21

State

2019 2020 2021

Rank

1,000 metric ton

Mato Grosso 12,487 11,466 12,326 1 

Rio Grande do Sul 11,177 8,102 11,733 2 

Paraná 8,554 12,123 8,860 3 

Goiás 3,910 6,264 6,036 4 

Mato Grosso do Sul 2,491 3,917 4,411 5 

São Paulo 3,282 3,842 4,001 6 

Minas Gerais 2,569 3,545 3,704 7 

Bahia 2,699 2,801 2,776 8 

Tocantins 1,692 1,707 1,920 9 

Maranhão 1,747 1,565 1,680 10 

Santa Catarina 1,636 1,776 1,258 11 

Piauí 995 888 966 12 

Pará 778 883 552 13 

Distrito Federal 131 94 83 14 

Rondônia 122 30 1 15 

Others 3,695 1,594 168

Brazil exports to China 57,963 60,596 60,476

Brazil total exports 74,064 82,968 86,100

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.
46

Top 15 Mato Grosso soybean export destinations, 2019-21

State

2019 2020 2021

% share Rank

metric ton

China 12,487,191 11,465,981 12,325,965 51.9 1

Spain 1,146,825 1,603,747 1,918,123 8.1 2

Turkey 875,285 1,336,095 1,276,784 5.4 3

Netherlands 1,010,715 2,095,566 1,472,851 6.2 4

Mexico 497,229 645,568 895,521 3.8 5

Thailand 551,291 848,095 818,667 3.4 6

Italy 185,594 433,328 580,995 2.4 7

Russia 595,929 353,948 512,512 2.2 8

Pakistan 224,425 341,444 511,298 2.2 9

Portugal 160,391 145,895 370,583 1.6 10

Iran 747,222 315,435 337,003 1.4 11

Bangladesh 137,558 127,125 308,091 1.3 12

Vietnam 137,621 215,653 297,167 1.3 13

Algeria 326 205,340 271,435 1.1 14

Norway 346,394 300,565 232,422 1.0 15

Others 1,124,384 1,892,450 1,636,255 6.9

Mato Grosso total 20,228,380 22,326,237 23,765,673 100.0

2019 2020 2021

MT % share of Brazil exports to China 21.5 18.9 20.4

Brazil exports to China 57,963,480 60,595,851 60,476,116

Brazil total exports 74,063,633 82,968,242 86,100,404

China % share of Brazil total exports 78.3 73.0 70.2

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia. 
47

The southern ports of Santos, Rio Grande, Paranaguá, and São Francisco do Sul still dominate Brazil’s soybean 

trade to China, accounting for 74 percent of Brazil’s soybean exports to China. The northeastern ports of 

São Luís, Vitória, Salvador, and Barcarena accounted for 25 percent of soybean exports to China in 2021. The 

Amazon River port of Manaus accounted for 0.1 percent of soybean exports to China in 2021.

Total Brazilian soybean exports by port to China, 2019-21

Ports

2019 2020 2021

metric ton

Santos 14,433,778 17,392,177 17,688,345

Rio Grande 12,764,079 8,949,582 11,931,608

Paranaguá 10,542,592 13,378,303 10,934,936

São Luís 6,271,719 6,239,866 6,441,382

São Francisco do Sul 3,852,101 5,239,528 4,239,712

Subtotal 47,864,269 51,199,456 51,235,984

Others 10,099,210 9,396,395 9,240,132

Total exports to China 57,963,480 60,595,851 60,476,116

Brazil total exports 74,063,633 82,968,242 86,100,404

Ports

2019 2020 2021

% share of exports to China

Santos 24.9 28.7 29.2 

Rio Grande 22.0 14.8 19.7 

Paranaguá 18.2 22.1 18.1 

São Luís 10.8 10.3 10.7 

São Francisco do Sul 6.6 8.6 7.0 

Subtotal 82.6 84.5 84.7 

Others 17.4 15.5 15.3

Total exports to China 100.0 100.0 100.0 

Ports

2019 2020 2021

% share of Brazil total exports

Santos 19.5 21.0 20.5 

Rio Grande 17.2 10.8 13.9 

Paranaguá 14.2 16.1 12.7 

São Luís 8.5 7.5 7.5 

São Francisco do Sul 5.2 6.3 4.9 

Subtotal 64.6 61.7 59.5 

Others 13.6 11.3 10.7

Total exports to China 78.3 73.0 70.2 

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.
48

Brazil soybean exports to China by port, 2020-21

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0

Santos

Rio Grande

Paranaguá

São Luís

São Francisco do Sul

Vitória

Barcarena/Belém

Salvador

Imbitituba

Manaus

Santarém

Percentage

2020 2021
49

Distance from selected Brazilian ports to Shanghai, China, and Hamburg, Germany

Brazilian port Region Route through Destination Nautical miles Days at sea*

Santos, São Paulo South Good Hope Shanghai, China 11,056 32.22

Santos, São Paulo South Direct Hamburg, Germany 5,683 16.22

Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul South Good Hope Shanghai, China 11,129 33.03

Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul South Panama Canal Shanghai, China 13,564 40.09

Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul South Cape Horn Shanghai, China 11,397 33.22

Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul South Direct Hamburg, Germany 6,204 18.11

Paranaguá, Paraná South Good Hope Shanghai, China 11,111 33.02

Paranaguá, Paraná South Panama Canal Shanghai, China 13,165 39.04

Paranaguá, Paraná South Direct Hamburg, Germany 5,805 17.07

São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina South Good Hope Shanghai, China 11,111 33.4

São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina South Direct Hamburg, Germany 5,805 17.1

Itajaí, Santa Catarina South Good Hope Shanghai, China 13,158 39.2

Itajaí, Santa Catarina South Direct Hamburg, Germany 7,289 21.7

Vitória, Espírito Santo Southeast Good Hope Shanghai, China 10,857 32.08

Vitória, Espírito Santo Southeast Panama Canal Shanghai, China 12,587 37.11

Vitória, Espírito Santo Southeast Direct Hamburg, Germany 5,227 15.13

Salvador, Bahia Northeast Good Hope Shanghai, China 10,997 32.18

Salvador, Bahia Northeast Panama Canal Shanghai, China 12,170 36.05

Salvador, Bahia Northeast Direct Hamburg, Germany 4,811 14.08

Aratu, Bahia Northeast Good Hope Shanghai, China 10,997 32.18

Aratu, Bahia Northeast Panama Canal Shanghai, China 12,170 36.05

Aratu, Bahia Northeast Direct Hamburg, Germany 4,811 14.08

Itaquí/Sâo Luís - Ponta de Madeira, 

Maranhão Northeast Good Hope Shanghai, China 11,708 34.2

Itaquí/Sâo Luís - Ponta de Madeira, 

Maranhão Northeast Panama Canal Shanghai, China 11,087 33

Itaquí/Sâo Luís - Ponta de Madeira, 

Maranhão Northeast Direct Hamburg, Germany 4,361 13

Santarém, Pará**

Reference point for Itaituba/Miritituba North Good Hope Shanghai, China 12,305 37.8

Santarém, Pará**

Reference point for Itaituba/Miritituba North Panama Canal Shanghai, China 11,200 33.1

Santarém, Pará**

Reference point for Itaituba/Miritituba North Direct Hamburg, Germany 4,750 14.18

Manaus, Amazonas North Good Hope Shanghai, China 12,880 38.04

Manaus, Amazonas North Panama Canal Shanghai, China 10,926 32.12

Manaus, Amazonas North Direct Hamburg, Germany 5,283 15.17

 Barcarena, Pará** North Good Hope Shanghai, China 11,905 35.6

 Barcarena, Pará** North Panama Canal Shanghai, China 10,950 32.6

 Barcarena,Pará** North Direct Hamburg, Germany 4,510 13.6

*Vessel speed: 14 knots.

**Barcarena is located 49 nautical miles from Belém; Itaituba is located 140 nautical miles from Santarém.

Source: http://sea-distances.com/ and 1Ports.com.
50

In 2021, China was the major destination for Brazilian soybeans through the port of Santos, Brazil’s largest 

soybean-exporting port. The next-largest destinations (in descending order) were Thailand, Pakistan, Iran, and 

Vietnam. The peak of soybean shipments to China from Santos usually occurs from March to May. Nearly 44 

percent of the soybean exports through Santos originated from Mato Grosso, followed (in descending order) 

by the origins of Goiás, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Mato Grosso do Sul.

Port of Santos soybean exports by country, 2020-21

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

Port of Santos average monthly soybean exports to China, 2018-21

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0 20 40 60 80 100

China

Thailand

Pakistan

Iran

Vietnam

Percentage

2020 2021

0

5

10

15

20

25

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2018-20 1.0 10.5 18.4 16.3 19.8 14.6 9.4 3.9 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.7

2021 0.0 6.3 22.7 22.4 20.4 13.1 6.4 1.0 1.2 1.0 2.6 3.0

Percentage
51

China was the major destination for Brazilian soybeans via the port of Rio Grande, accounting for 96 percent of 

exports, followed by Vietnam, Taiwan, Iran, and Thailand. Typically, soybean shipments to China through the 

port of Rio Grande peak from April to July. About 97 percent of the soybean exports through the Port of Rio 

Grande originated from Rio Grande do Sul. The next-highest levels of exports originated (in descending order) 

from the following ports: Paraná, São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Minas Gerais.

Port of Rio Grande average monthly soybean exports to China, 2018-21

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

China was the top Brazilian soybean export destination through the Port of Paranaguá. The next-largest export 

destinations (in descending order) were Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Norway. Typically, soybean 

shipments to China from Paranaguá peak from March to May. Sixty-eight percent of Paranaguá exports 

originated from Paraná. The next-highest levels of Paranaguá exports (in descending order) originated from 

Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, São Paulo, and Goiás.

Port of Paranaguá average monthly soybean exports to China, 2018-21

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0

5

10

15

20

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2018-20 2.9 1.5 4.3 10.3 13.6 9.0 10.8 11.2 9.9 9.9 8.8 7.8

2021 0.0 0.0 3.4 15.3 14.6 10.9 11.0 16.5 10.5 11.7 3.2 2.9

Percentage

0

5

10

15

20

25

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2018-20 7.0 7.1 11.9 12.2 9.7 9.8 10.0 7.0 7.7 8.1 5.3 4.4

2021 0.2 2.0 14.8 20.1 15.9 8.8 11.5 4.9 7.0 2.7 5.8 6.4

Percentage
52

China was the top Brazilian soybean export destination through the Port of São Luís, accounting for nearly 64 

percent of exports. The next-largest export destinations (in descending order) were Spain, Thailand, Turkey, 

and Japan. Typically, soybean shipments to China from the Port of São Luís peak from March to July. São Luís is 

Brazil’s top soybean-exporting port in the northeast, accounting for nearly 11 percent of Brazil’s total soybean 

exports and 10 percent of exports to China. The next-highest levels of exports in the northeast (in descending 

order) were from the following three ports: Barcarena, Vitória, and Salvador. The top four ports accounted 

for nearly 25 percent of the total exports to China. About 54 percent of exports through the port of São Luís 

originated from Tocantins and Maranhão. The next-highest levels of São Luís exports (in descending order) 

originated from Mato Grosso, Piauí, Bahia, and Pará.

Port of São Luís average monthly soybean exports to China, 2018-21

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2018-20 10.5 8.6 12.8 12.7 9.6 11.1 10.2 8.0 4.4 6.0 4.0 2.1

2021 0.0 3.1 15.5 16.3 17.1 12.4 11.0 10.7 5.9 4.7 1.9 1.3

Percentage
53

Transportation Modes

Brazilian ports

 Sources: Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB) and Ministério dos Transportes, Brazil.

Ports

Sea port

River port

Survey port*

*Brazilian port where cargo data are 

collected. These ports are responsible 

for more than 98% of the Brazilian cargo 

movement.
54

Major rivers of the Amazonian Basin

 Source: National Agency for Waterway Transportation (ANTAQ).

Brazil has 39,146 miles of river-lake surface water and 27,340 miles of navigable rivers, but only 12,094 miles 

are commercially navigated.

Brazil waterway system

Extension Miles

River-lake surface water 39,146 

National river network 27,340 

Naturally navigable waterways 25,970 (100%) 

Commercial navigations 12,094 (47%) 

Sources: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT 2019) and National Agency for Waterway Transporation (ANTAQ 2016).
55

Brazilian port installations

The Port of Manaus access channel is 1,640 ft wide and 114.8 ft deep. Porto Velho’s access channel depth 

varies from 8.2 to 57.4 ft. The Port of Santarém’s access channel is 5,904 ft wide and 49.2 ft deep.

Sources: Agência Nacional de Transportes Aquaviários (ANTAQ).
56

Brazilian river basins

Brazil’s river system comprises eight basins: Amazônica, Northeast, Tocantins Araguaia, São Francisco, East, 

Tietê-Paraná, Paraguay, and South. The Amazônica and Paraguay Basin account for 72 percent of the total 

area of the Brazilian basins. The Paraguay Basin serves Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Its 

navigable portion is comparable with the Mississippi River in the United States and the Rhine River in Europe.

Source: Ministério dos Transportes, Brazil.

Amazônica Basin

Northeast Basin

Tocantins Araguaia 

Basin

São Francisco 

Basin

East Basin

South Basin

Paraguay Basin

Tietê-Paraná Basin
57

Brazilian commercial inland waterways

 Source: Agência Nacional de Transportes Aquavárious.
58

Major Brazilian highways

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte.
59

The Brazilian highway system extends 968,863 miles (1,562,682 kilometers), with nearly 14 percent paved. The 

U.S. highway system consists of 4,129,486 miles (6,645,747 kilometers), with 68 percent paved.

Brazil highway system, 2019

Miles % Paved % Unpaved

Federal 46,961 86 14 

State and county 921,902 10 90 

Total (federal + state and county) 968,863 

All roads 14 86 

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

U.S. highway system, 2020

Extension1 (in miles) % Paved2 % Unpaved2

Rural 2,907,358 56 44 

Urban 1,222,128 97 3 

Total 4,129,486 68 32 

1

Includes the 50 States, Puerto Rico (data may be incomplete), and the District of Columbia. Some differences from other tables may be noted 

because these are estimated from sample and summary data; some States may have missing/incomplete data.

2

Paved includes the following categories: Bituminous (bituminous asphalt-concrete (AC) overlaid on existing AC pavement); Concrete (jointed 

plain concrete pavement (JPCP), jointed reinforced concrete pavement (JRCP), continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP); unbonded 

jointed concrete overlaid on PCC pavement, bonded PCC overlaid on PCC pavement, other (includes “whitetopping”)); and Composite (AC 

overlaid on jointed concrete pavement, AC (bituminous overlaid on existing CRCP).

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics (Washington, DC: Annual Issues); Highway 

Statistics 2020.
60

Brazilian highways

According to the 2021 Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT) survey of the overall highway conditions in 

Brazil, 38 percent of the roads ranged from good to excellent in 2021 (versus 41 percent in that range in 2019). 

The remaining 62 percent ranged from acceptable to very bad. Also, in 2021, 48 percent of the paved roads 

were in good to excellent condition; 59 percent of traffic road signs had problems; and 85 percent of the paved 

roads had only two lanes. The survey sample of paved roads slightly increased from 67,495 miles in 2019 to 

67,644 miles in 2021.

Brazilian highway conditions, 2018-21

Note: Data for 2020 are not available.

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

Brazilian paved highway conditions, 2018-21

Note: Data for 2020 are not available.

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

11.6 11.9 9.7

31.4 29.1 28.5

35.2 34.6 38.7

15.3 17.5 16.3

6.5 6.9 6.9

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2018 2019 2021

Very Bad

Bad

Acceptable

Good

Excellent

38% 43% 41%

57% 59% 62%

42.3 38.6 33.2

6.8 9.0 14.6

37.0 35.0 30.6

9.5 13.7

15.8

4.4 3.7 5.8

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2018 2019 2021

Very Bad

Bad

Acceptable

Good

Excellent

52%

48%

52%

48%

51%

49%
61

Brazilian road sign conditions, 2018-21

Note: Data for 2020 are not available.

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

15.2 14.0 12.7

40.1 37.9

28.4

24.5 26.1

34.1

10.0 11.6 14.0

10.2 10.4 10.8

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2018 2019 2021

Very Bad

Bad

Acceptable

Good

Excellent

52%

59%

41%

45%

55%

48%
62

Brazilian railway expansion: ongoing projects

The Brazilian railroad system consists of 12 railroads, with an extension of 18,943 miles, mostly concentrated in 

the South, Southeast, and Northeast. 

Source: Agência Nacional de Transportes Terrestres (ANTT).
63

Brazilian rail system: gauge sizes

The gauge system (distance between two rails) varies by region, creating difficulties in integrating the system 

in regions like North America, which uses a standard gauge. There are three types of gauges: metric (39”), 

broad (63”), and mixed (39”- 63”). The metric gauge accounts for 76 percent of total Brazilian rail miles and 

predominates in the Southern region. The broad gauge accounts for 22 percent of total railroads and prevails 

in the Southeast region, leaving about 2 percent as mixed gauge.

Source: Grupo de Pesquisa e Extensão em Logística Agroindustrial (ESALQ-LOG)/University of São Paulo, Brazil, based on data from the Agência 

Nacional de Transportes Terrestres (ANTT) 2018.
64

Reference Material

Quarterly costs of transporting U.S. soybeans to Hamburg, Germany, via U.S. Gulf, 2021

Minneapolis, Minnesota (US$/mt)

2021

1st qtr

2021

2nd qtr

2021

3rd qtr

2021

4th qtr

2021

Average

Truck 13.66 13.99 13.18 13.50 13.58

Rail1 36.38 - - - 36.38

Barge2 12.49 29.61 32.62 35.21 27.48

Ocean3 19.75 23.19 28.21 30.09 25.31

Total transportation 82.28 66.79 74.01 78.80 75.47

Farm price4 465.42 529.11 483.79 448.27 481.65

Landed cost5 547.70 595.90 557.80 527.07 557.12

Transport % of landed cost 15.0 11.2 13.3 15.0 13.6

Davenport, Iowa (US$/mt)

2021

1st qtr

2021

2nd qtr

2021

3rd qtr

2021

4th qtr

2021

Average

Truck 13.66 13.99 13.18 13.50 13.58

Rail1 33.33 - - - 33.33

Barge2 12.49 20.17 26.21 33.49 23.09

Ocean3 19.75 23.19 28.21 30.09 25.31

Total transportation 79.23 57.35 67.60 77.08 70.32

Farm price4 456.85 529.11 494.82 448.27 482.26

Landed cost5 536.08 586.46 562.42 525.35 552.58

Transport % of landed cost 14.8 9.8 12.0 14.7 12.8

1

Rail rates include fuel surcharges, but do not include the cost of purchasing empty rail cars in the secondary rail markets, which could exceed 

the rail tariff rate plus fuel surcharge shown in the table.

2

The Mississippi River closes from Minneapolis to just north of St. Louis during mid-December to late March.

3

Source for the U.S. ocean freight rates: O’Neil Commodity Consulting. 

4

Source for the U.S. farm prices: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

5

Landed cost is transportation cost plus farm price.

Note: qtr.=quarter; yr.=year; mt=metric ton; total may not add exactly due to rounding.

Source: Compiled by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
65

Quarterly costs of transporting U.S. soybeans to Shanghai, China, via U.S. Gulf, 2021

Minneapolis, Minnesota (US$/mt)

2021

1st qtr

2021

2nd qtr

2021

3rd qtr

2021

4th qtr

2021

Average

Truck 13.66 13.99 13.18 13.50 13.58

Rail1 36.38 - - - 36.38

Barge2 12.49 29.61 32.62 35.21 27.48

Ocean3 50.88 64.88 80.83 77.72 68.58

Total transportation 113.41 108.48 126.63 126.43 118.74

Farm price4 465.42 529.11 483.79 448.27 481.65

Landed cost5 578.83 637.59 610.42 574.70 600.39

Transport % of landed cost 19.6 17.0 20.7 22.0 19.8

Davenport, Iowa (US$/mt)

2021

1st qtr

2021

2nd qtr

2021

3rd qtr

2021

4th qtr

2021

Average

Truck 13.66 13.99 13.18 13.50 13.58

Rail1 33.33 - - - 33.33

Barge2 12.49 20.17 26.21 33.49 23.09

Ocean3 50.88 64.88 80.83 77.72 68.58

Total transportation 110.36 99.04 120.22 124.71 113.58

Farm price4 456.85 529.11 494.82 448.27 482.26

Landed cost5 567.21 628.15 615.04 572.98 595.85

Transport % of landed cost 19.5 15.8 19.5 21.8 19.1

1

Rail rates include fuel surcharges, but do not include the cost of purchasing empty rail cars in the secondary rail markets, which could exceed 

the rail tariff rate plus fuel surcharge shown in the table.

2

The Mississippi River closes from Minneapolis to just north of St. Louis during mid-December to late March.

3

Source for the U.S. ocean freight rates: O’Neil Commodity Consulting. 

4

Source for the U.S. farm prices: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

5

Landed cost is transportation cost plus farm price.

Note: qtr.=quarter; yr.=year; mt=metric ton; total may not add exactly due to rounding.

Source: Compiled by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
66

Quarterly costs of transporting U.S. soybeans to Shanghai, China, via PNW, 2021

Fargo, North Dakota (US$/mt)

2021

1st qtr

2021

2nd qtr

2021

3rd qtr

2021

4th qtr

2021

Average

Truck 13.66 13.99 13.18 13.50 13.58

Rail1 57.10 57.10 57.76 59.09 57.76

Ocean2 28.60 37.60 43.98 42.01 38.05

Total transportation 99.36 108.69 114.92 114.60 109.39

Farm price3 439.70 518.09 462.97 440.92 465.42

Landed cost4 539.06 626.78 577.89 555.52 574.81

Transport % of landed cost 18.4 17.3 19.9 20.6 19.1

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (US$/mt)

2021

1st qtr

2021

2nd qtr

2021

3rd qtr

2021

4th qtr

2021

Average

Truck 13.66 13.99 13.18 13.50 13.58

Rail1 58.09 58.09 58.76 60.08 58.76

Ocean2 28.60 37.60 43.98 42.01 38.05

Total transportation 100.35 109.68 115.92 115.59 110.39

Farm price3 442.15 525.43 483.79 447.05 474.61

Landed cost4 542.50 635.11 599.71 562.64 584.99

Transport % of landed cost 18.5 17.3 19.3 20.5 18.9

1

Rail rates include fuel surcharges, but do not include the cost of purchasing empty rail cars in the secondary rail markets, which could exceed 

the rail tariff rate plus fuel surcharge shown in the table.

2

Source for the U.S. ocean freight rates: O’Neil Commodity Consulting. 

3

Source for the U.S. farm prices: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

4

Landed cost is transportation cost plus farm price.

Note: qtr.=quarter; yr.=year; mt=metric ton; total may not add exactly due to rounding.

Source: Compiled by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
67

Average quarterly exchange rate, 2015-21

Quarter Real per US$

1st 2.8637

2nd 3.0722

3rd 3.5480

4th 3.8426

2015 Average 3.3316

1st 3.8999

2nd 3.5076

3rd 3.2912

4th 3.2953

2016 Average 3.4985

1st 3.1429

2nd 3.2137

3rd 3.1639

4th 3.2506

2017 Average 3.1928

1st 3.2425

2nd 3.7732

3rd 3.9505

4th 3.8084

2018 Average 3.6936

1st 3.7684

2nd 3.9221

3rd 3.9736

4th 4.1144

2019 Average 3.9446

1st 4.4651

2nd 5.3848

3rd 5.3766

4th 5.3915

2020 Average 5.1545

1st 5.4827

2nd 5.2901

3rd 5.2280

4th 5.5853

2021 Average 5.3965

Source:Banco Central do Brasil
68

Selected quarterly Brazilian farm prices, 2016-21 (US$/metric ton)

Quarter Rio Grande 

do Sul

Mato 

Grosso Goiás Paraná Piauí Pará Maranhão

1st 308.73 268.28 278.59 298.84 281.05 264.90 310.69 

2nd 358.57 347.59 337.86 353.78 342.05 329.13 378.45 

3rd 373.12 367.25 359.07 362.80 378.98 384.42 447.42 

4th 352.69 344.51 341.08 347.53 377.05 355.82 370.99 

2016 Avg 348.28 331.91 329.15 340.74 344.78 333.57 376.89 

1st 347.99 314.10 332.40 344.08 210.49 362.30 356.01

2nd 302.06 275.60 281.73 304.50 304.16 313.78 327.17

3rd 317.17 288.62 291.58 313.53 306.34 324.84 340.58

4th 321.99 296.10 302.26 324.03 311.19 339.05 349.81

2017 Avg 322.30 293.60 301.99 321.54 283.05 334.99 343.39

Source: Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB) Quarter www.conab.gov.br

Rio Grande 

do Sul

Mato 

Grosso Goiás Paraná Piauí Pará Maranhão

1st 334.43 305.85 318.87 338.61 321.69 344.84 357.97

2nd 343.90 323.46 313.65 347.41 320.70 343.23 342.78

3rd 326.13 301.39 302.33 330.85 290.62 323.15 305.07

4th 328.39 293.43 314.40 319.39 292.04 344.82 326.30

2018 Avg 333.21 306.03 312.31 334.06 306.26 339.01 333.03

1st 308.52 275.38 296.01 304.16 292.96 317.97 298.43

2nd 294.72 271.70 281.40 292.33 285.28 294.15 278.70

3rd 304.20 286.87 286.67 300.23 288.35 303.50 300.20

4th 314.81 307.47 301.77 313.72 316.88 316.00 310.87

2019 Avg 305.56 285.35 291.46 302.61 295.87 307.90 297.05

1st 300.04 282.59 285.74 301.23 302.03 302.01 300.23

2nd 297.17 287.53 262.95 285.62 286.59 283.28 294.95

3rd 367.58 367.89 333.43 343.91 344.92 346.83 359.63

4th 453.49 490.89 441.91 442.13 436.03 444.28 458.37

2020 Avg 354.57 357.23 331.01 343.22 342.39 344.10 353.30

1st 475.64 463.10 466.39 472.61 484.07 483.48 466.73

2nd 505.86 495.57 500.77 492.31 489.79 525.44 503.18

3rd 497.59 513.31 495.90 496.46 483.65 503.71 501.47

4th 478.45 457.88 456.20 471.40 445.58 488.97 468.17

2021 Avg 489.39 482.47 479.82 483.19 475.78 500.40 484.89

Source: Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB) www.conab.gov.br
69

Photo Credits

Photo credits:

1) USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and 

USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). 

2) USDA

3) ESALQ-log

4) The Assesoria de Comunicação dos Portos de 

Paranaguá e Antonina (ASSCOM-APPA)

5) ESALQ-log