Soybean Transportation Guide 

BRAZIL 2022
United States Department of Agriculture

Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Agricultural Marketing Service

Transportation and Marketing Program

December 2023

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 2022. December 2023. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural 

Marketing Service. Web. <http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS048.12-2023>

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

Contents

Soybean Transportation Guide: Brazil 2022.

General Information.

2022 Summary.

Transportation Infrastructure. 

Transportation Indicators. 

Soybean Production. 

Exports. 

Exports to China. 

Transportation Modes. 

Reference Material. 

Photo Credits. 
1

Soybean Transportation Guide: Brazil 2022

Executive Summary

The Soybean Transportation Guide is a visual snapshot of Brazilian soybean transportation in 2022. The Guide 

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. 

In the world oilseed market, Brazil is the foremost U.S. competitor. Brazil largely sustains its competitiveness by 

continually improving its transportation infrastructure to reduce transportation costs. Other elements of the 

country’s competitiveness include 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 held enough of a cost advantage to surpass U.S. soybean exports, maintaining its 

position as the top soybean exporter in the world. USDA forecasts Brazil will retain its position as the world’s 

largest soybean exporter through 2032. However, the United States retains a significant share of global 

soybean exports and continues to vie for the position of the world’s leading exporter. The United States 

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

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

Brazil’s Long-Term Infrastructure Investments Pay Off

Slowly, Brazil’s decades-long efforts have improved its transportation cost competiveness. Most recently, in 

June 2023, after 35 years of planning and construction, Brazil completed the North-South (EF-151) Railroad 

(FNS) with the inauguration of Rumo’s rail terminal in Rio Verde, Goiás. This terminal has a capacity to handle 

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

railroad links the northeastern port of Itaquí-Sâo Luis, Maranhão, and the southern port of Santos, São Paulo. 

The railroad has two concessions. Between Maranhão and Tocantins, FNS is operated by VLI, which has Vale 

as a partner, and from Tocantins to São Paulo, by Rumo S.A. According to Rumo, the logistical costs of FNS 

transporting grain from the Rio Verde region to Santos are 15 percent lower than the average cost of shipping 

grain for American producers. In the short term, Rumo will concentrate on operations for southbound routes. 

Cost-advantage gain over the United States. During 2022, Brazil’s transportation cost advantage for shipping 

soybeans from North Mato Grosso to Shanghai, China, increased over the U.S Gulf routes. However, this 

Brazilian route did not gain any additional cost advantage over the U.S. Pacific Northwest (PNW) routes. Brazil’s 

cost advantage was especially notable for soybeans shipped from Sorriso, North Mato Grosso, by rail to Santos, 

and by barge to Barcarena. Brazil’s cost advantage widened even more when soybeans were shipped by rail 

from Rio Verde, South Goiás, or from Cruz Alta, Northwest Rio Grande do Sul. 

In 2022, soybeans that were shipped by rail from Rio Verde, South Goiás, via Santos to Shanghai, China, cost 

about $33-35 per metric ton less than U.S. shipments by the PNW routes. From Sorriso, North Mato Grosso, via 

barge to Barcarena, the cost per metric ton (mt) to ship soybeans to Shanghai, China, was $9.13 less than from 

Davenport, IA, via the U.S. Gulf. 
2

Truck and Ocean Freight Rates Rise From 2021

In 2022, Brazil exported 78.7 million metric tons (mmt) of soybeans, 9 percent less than 2021’s total of 86.1 

mmt. From 2021 to 2022, Brazil’s soybean transportation costs rose, reflecting a significant rise in truck 

rates due to higher fuel prices. The cost of shipping a metric ton (mt) of soybeans 100 miles by truck rose 54 

percent—from $5.29 per mt to $8.15 per mt. After rising in the first half of 2022, fuel prices started declining 

in July, but remained higher than in 2021. Fuel prices declined in response to lower State taxes and a reduced 

average price of fuel sold to distributors by the State-run oil firm Petrobras. 

Ocean freight rates increased in the first half of 2022 and fell in the third and fourth quarters but remained 

higher than in 2021. On average, ocean rates from selected Brazilian export routes to Hamburg, Germany, 

increased 1-11 percent and to Shanghai, China, increased 4-7 percent. Ocean rates increased to a lesser degree 

than truck rates because of slowing global trade volumes and easing of global supply chain disruptions.

Soybean-export shares by port. The southern ports of Santos, Rio Grande, Paranaguá, and São Francisco do 

Sul still dominate the soybean trade to China, collectively accounting for 69 percent of Brazil’s soybean exports 

to China. Also, in 2022, the northeastern ports of São Luís, Vitória, Salvador, and Barcarena accounted for 

nearly 31 percent of soybean exports to China. The Amazon River port of Manaus exported a small amount 

of soybeans to China. In 2022, the ocean freight spread between the Shanghai routes from the northeastern 

port of São Luís ($61.80/mt) and the port of Santos ($56.04/mt) was $5.76/mt. Ocean freight spread is the cost 

difference between two vessel routes to the same destination.

Landed Costs and Export Prices Increase From 2021

For selected routes of shipping Brazilian soybeans to China, total landed costs increased as both farm prices 

and transportation costs increased. In Mato Grosso, Brazil’s top soybean-producing State, 2022 transportation 

costs from Sorriso were 20-22 percent of the total landed costs of shipping to Shanghai through the Port of 

Santos. By comparison, the transportation cost share of landed costs for the same route were 45 percent in 

2006 and 34 percent in 2008.

From 2021 to 2022, average Brazilian soybean export prices increased 32 percent, from $449 per mt to $591 

per mt. Average soybean farm gate prices increased 15 percent, from $485.13/mt to $556.38/mt over the 

same period. The Brazilian real (R$) appreciated by 4 percent against the U.S. dollar, from R$5.40 per U.S. 

dollar in 2021 to R$5.16 in 2022. Despite the appreciation of the real in 2022, Brazilian farmers benefited from 

the real’s relative weakness against the U.S. dollar. The farmers benefited because soybeans were priced in U.S. 

dollars but paid in reais. On average, in reais, farm gate prices increased 10 percent—from R$2,614.67/mt in 

2021 to R$2,865.04/mt in 2022. 

In 2022, Brazil exported 53.6 mmt of soybeans to China, valued at $31.8 billion, accounting for 68 percent 

of Brazil’s total soybean exports (78.7 mmt). The 2022 total exports to China were 11 percent less than the 

2021 total (60.5 mmt). The next highest shares of Brazil’s soybean exports (in declining order) went to Spain, 

Thailand, Iran, and the Netherlands.

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. Likewise, the author is grateful for comments and 

critiques by Joanna Hitchner (USDA, Office of the Chief Economist); Agata Kingsbury and Timothy ONeil (USDA, 

FAS); Marcos Bento and Joseph Degreenia (USDA, FAS, Office of Agricultural Affairs, Brasilia). Thanks, also, to 

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service employees Maria Williams, editor; Jessica Ladd, graphic designer; and 

Kranti Mulik, 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: 215,313,498 (The World Bank) 

Gross Domestic Product per Capita, 

2022: $8,918 (The World Bank)

Inflation, 2022: 5.8 percent (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE))

Unemployment, 4th Quarter 2022: 7.9 percent (IBGE)

Area: 8,515,770 square kilometers

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

Regions considered in the 

Brazilian soybean export 

transportation indicator.

Regions (listed above) 

and routes.

BA=Bahia

GO=Goiás

MG=Minas Gerais

MS=Mato Grosso do Sul

MT=Mato Grosso

PA=Pará

PI=Piauí

PR=Paraná

RS=Rio Grande do Sul

SP=São Paulo

TO=Tocantins

2022 Summary

Routes1 and regions considered in the 

Brazilian soybean export transportation indicator2

1 Table defining routes by number is shown on page 29.

2 Regions comprised about 79 percent of Brazilian soybean production in 2021 (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 world’s top exporter of soybeans, followed by the United States, Paraguay, Canada, and Argentina. 

In 2022, Santos was Brazil’s top soybean export port, followed by São Luís, Paranaguá, Barcarena/Belém, Rio 

Grande, and Salvador. These six ports accounted for nearly 83 percent of Brazil’s total soybean exports. The 

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

exports to China, accounting for 75 percent of this trade in 2022. Also, in 2022, the northeastern ports of São 

Luís, Vitória, Salvador, and Barcarena accounted for nearly 25 percent of soybean exports to China, while the 

Amazon River ports of Manaus accounted for 0.4 percent.

Brazilian soybean exports by port, 2020-22 

From 2021 to 2022, the average cost in Brazil of shipping a metric ton (mt) of soybeans 100 miles by truck 

increased from $5.29 per mt to $8.15 per mt.

Brazilian soybean export truck cost index, 2019-22

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

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.

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

2020

2021

2022

Average 2022: $8.15

Average 2020: $5.49

Average 2021: $5.29

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Santos

São Luís

Paranaguá

Barcarena/Belém

Rio Grande

Salvador

Vitória

São Francisco do Sul

Manaus

Santarém

Percentage

2022

2021

2020
From 2021 to 2022, in selected routes of shipping Brazilian soybeans to China, total transportation costs as a share of toThe rising share reflected a significant increase in truck rates driven by rising fuel prices. In Mato Grosso, Brazil’s top soytransportation costs from Sorriso were 20-22 percent of the total landed costs of shipping to Shanghai through the Port transportation costs were 45 percent of landed costs in 2006 and 34 percent in 2008.

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

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 

—US$/

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 % Change 2021-22 2017 2018 2019 2020 

Truck 92.95 91.76 79.28 60.65 59.30 93.98 58.5 30.72 29.20 25.06 19.2Ocean 26.88 30.31 33.65 31.40 53.40 56.04 4.9 27.30 31.06 33.94 32.9Total transportation 119.82 122.08 112.92 92.04 112.70 150.02 33.1 58.02 60.27 58.99 52.1Farm gate price3 293.60 306.03 285.35 357.23 482.47 536.97 11.3 322.30 333.21 305.56 354.5Landed cost 413.43 428.11 398.28 449.27 595.16 686.98 15.4 380.32 393.48 364.56 406.7Transport % of landed cost 29.0 28.5 28.4 21.2 18.9 21.8 15.4 15.3 15.3 16.2 13.1 

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

South GO1 

—US$/

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 % Change 2021-22 2017 2018 2019 2020 

Truck - 33.49 27.62 21.47 20.64 31.47 52.5 44.22 43.25 37.34 28.4Rail4 - 43.29 39.98 32.13 29.69 44.31 49.3 - - - - Ocean - 30.31 33.65 31.40 53.40 56.04 4.9 26.88 30.31 33.65 31.4Total transportation - 107.10 101.25 85.00 103.73 131.82 27.1 71.09 73.56 70.98 59.8Farm gate price3 - 306.03 285.35 357.23 482.47 536.97 11.3 301.99 312.31 291.46 331.0Landed cost - 413.13 386.60 442.22 586.19 668.79 14.1 373.08 385.88 362.45 390.8Transport % of landed cost - 25.9 26.2 19.9 17.7 19.7 11.4 19.1 19.1 19.6 15.8 

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 co

company and shippers.Note: mt=metric ton. A hyphen in an otherwise empty cell denotes that the data are not available.Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
From 2021 to 2022, transportation costs to ship soybeans to Hamburg, Germany, from Mato Grosso, increased 14-18 planded costs.

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

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 

—US$/

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 % Change 2021-22 2017 2018 2019 2020 

Truck 92.95 91.76 79.28 60.65 59.30 93.98 58.5 30.72 29.20 25.06 19.2Ocean 24.50 25.25 25.63 24.75 45.11 48.34 7.1 25.50 26.25 25.63 25.1Total transportation 117.45 117.01 104.90 85.40 104.41 142.32 36.3 56.22 55.45 50.68 44.3Farm gate price3 293.60 306.03 285.35 357.23 482.47 536.97 11.3 322.30 333.21 305.56 354.5Landed cost 411.05 423.05 390.25 442.62 586.88 679.28 15.7 378.52 388.66 356.25 398.9Transport % of landed cost 28.6 27.6 26.9 20.0 17.8 20.9 17.8 14.9 14.3 14.2 11.4 

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

South GO1 

—US$/

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 % Change 2021-22 2017 2018 2019 2020 

Truck - 33.49 27.62 21.47 20.64 31.47 52.5 44.22 43.25 37.34 28.4Rail4 - 43.29 39.98 32.13 29.69 44.31 49.3 - - - - Ocean - 25.25 25.63 24.75 45.11 48.34 7.1 24.50 25.25 25.63 24.7Total transportation - 102.03 93.23 78.35 95.44 124.12 30.1 68.72 68.50 62.96 53.2Farm gate price3 - 306.03 285.35 357.23 482.47 536.97 11.3 301.99 312.31 291.46 331.0Landed cost - 408.07 378.58 435.58 577.90 661.09 14.4 370.71 380.81 354.42 384.Transport % of landed cost - 25.0 24.6 18.7 16.5 18.8 13.7 18.6 18.0 17.8 14.3 

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. A hyphen in an otherwise empty cell denotes that the data are not available.Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ/USP), Brazil, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
8

From 2021-22, 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, 2020-22

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt

2020 2021 2022 % Change 

2021-22 2020 2021 2022 % Change 2021-22

Truck 39.20 37.91 59.30 56.4 26.83 24.85 40.83 64.3

Ocean 33.66 57.31 61.68 7.6 34.02 57.90 61.80 6.7

Total transportation 72.86 95.22 120.98 27.1 60.85 82.75 102.63 24.0

Farm gate price3 357.23 482.47 536.97 11.3 353.30 484.89 558.13 15.1

Landed cost 430.08 577.69 657.95 13.9 414.15 567.63 660.76 16.4

Transport % of landed cost 17.6 16.5 18.4 11.6 15.0 14.5 15.50 6.6

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

2020 2021 2022 % Change 

2021-22 2020 2021 2022 % Change 2021-22

Truck 29.81 29.15 44.32 52.1 31.72 31.84 49.44 55.3

Rail4 - - - - 11.94 12.63 18.32 45.0

Ocean 34.02 57.90 61.80 6.7 34.96 59.55 62.73 5.3

Total transportation 63.83 87.05 106.12 21.9 78.61 104.02 130.49 25.4

Farm gate price3 342.39 475.78 542.19 14.0 357.23 482.47 536.97 11.3

Landed cost 406.23 562.82 648.31 15.2 435.84 586.49 667.45 13.8

Transport % of landed cost 16.0 15.5 16.3 5.7 18.7 17.7 19.5 10.2

1

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

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 approximately 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on volumes hauled and the 

terms of contracts signed between the railroad company and shippers.

Note: mt=metric ton. A hyphen in an otherwise empty cell denotes that the data are not available.

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, 2020-22

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt

2020 2021 2022 % Change 

2021-22 2020 2021 2022 % Change 2021-22

Truck 39.20 37.91 59.30 56.4 26.83 24.85 40.83 64.3

Ocean 20.94 42.09 46.68 10.9 22.76 48.36 49.08 1.5

Total transportation 60.14 80.00 105.98 32.5 49.59 73.21 89.90 22.8

Farm gate price3 357.23 482.47 536.97 11.3 353.30 484.89 558.13 15.1

Landed cost 417.37 562.47 642.95 14.3 402.89 558.10 648.04 16.1

Transport % of landed cost 15.0 14.2 16.5 16.0 12.6 13.1 13.8 5.6

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

2020 2021 2022 % Change 

2021-22 2020 2021 2022 % Change 2021-22

Truck 29.81 29.15 44.32 52.1 31.72 31.84 49.44 55.3

Rail4 - - - - 11.94 12.63 18.32 45.0

Ocean 22.76 48.36 49.08 1.5 20.31 41.00 44.43 8.4

Total transportation 52.58 77.51 93.39 20.5 63.97 85.47 112.19 31.3

Farm gate price3 342.39 475.78 542.19 14.0 357.23 482.47 536.97 11.3

Landed cost 394.97 553.28 635.58 14.9 421.19 567.94 649.15 14.3

Transport % of landed cost 13.6 14.0 14.6 4.5 15.2 15.0 17.3 14.8

1

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

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 approximately 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on volumes hauled and the 

terms of contracts signed between the railroad company and shippers.

Note: mt=metric ton. A hyphen in an otherwise empty cell denotes that the data are not available.

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 2021 to 2022, barge rates rose significantly because of low water on the 

Mississippi River that began to impact barge traffic in early October 2022 and did not begin to improve until the end 

of November 2022.

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

Hamburg, Germany, and Shanghai, China, 2018-22

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 % change 

2021-22 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 % change 2021-22

To Hamburg, Germany

Minneapolis, Minnesota

—US$/mt—

Davenport, Iowa

—US$/mt—

Truck 12.14 10.10 11.04 13.58 18.86 38.9 12.14 10.10 11.04 13.58 18.86 38.9

Rail1 46.37 47.96 36.73 36.38 38.04 4.6 30.92 32.13 33.03 33.33 34.81 4.4

Barge2 29.97 21.99 26.14 27.48 53.62 95.1 24.51 20.43 20.05 23.09 44.80 94.0

Ocean3 19.85 18.15 16.61 25.31 30.12 19.0 19.85 18.15 16.61 25.31 30.12 19.0

Total transportation4 73.55 74.22 62.97 75.47 112.11 48.5 64.23 64.73 55.96 70.32 102.49 45.8

Farm price5 330.51 305.65 321.45 481.65 539.52 12.0 336.05 307.27 330.02 482.26 541.97 12.4

Landed cost6 404.06 379.86 384.42 557.12 651.63 17.0 400.28 372.00 385.98 552.58 644.46 16.6

Transport % of 

landed cost 18.1 19.4 16.4 13.6 17.2 26.6 16.0 17.4 14.4 12.8 15.9 24.4

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

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 for ocean rates: 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.

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 % change 

2021-22 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 % change 2021-22

To Shanghai, China

Minneapolis, Minnesota

—US$/mt—

Davenport, Iowa

—US$/mt—

Truck 12.14 10.10 11.04 13.58 18.86 38.9 12.14 10.10 11.04 13.58 18.86 38.9

Rail1 46.37 47.96 36.73 36.38 38.04 4.6 30.92 32.12 33.03 33.33 34.81 4.4

Barge2 29.97 21.99 26.14 27.48 53.62 95.1 24.51 20.43 20.05 23.09 44.80 94.0

Ocean3 44.42 44.55 40.08 68.58 67.25 -1.9 44.42 44.55 40.08 68.58 67.25 -1.9

Total transportation4 98.12 100.62 86.44 118.74 149.24 25.7 88.80 91.14 79.43 113.58 139.62 22.9

Farm price5 330.56 305.65 321.45 481.65 539.52 12.0 336.05 307.27 330.02 482.26 541.97 12.4

Landed cost6 428.68 406.27 407.89 600.39 688.76 14.7 424.85 398.41 409.45 595.85 681.59 14.4

Transport % of 

landed cost 22.8 24.7 21.2 19.8 21.7 9.3 20.9 22.9 19.4 19.1 20.5 7.2
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 2 percent from 2021 to 2022 in response to higher soybean 

prices.

Average costs of transporting U.S. soybeans via Pacific Northwest to Shanghai, China, 2018-22

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 % change 

2021-22 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 % change 2021-22

To Shanghai, China

Fargo, North Dakota 

—US$/mt—

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

—US$/mt— 

Truck 12.14 10.10 11.04 13.58 18.86 38.9 12.14 10.10 11.04 13.58 18.86 38.9

Rail1 55.12 56.36 57.10 57.76 64.04 10.9 56.11 57.35 58.09 58.76 65.52 11.5

Ocean2 24.34 24.59 21.38 38.05 38.32 0.7 24.34 24.59 21.38 38.05 38.32 0.7

Total transportation 91.60 91.05 89.52 109.39 121.22 10.8 92.59 92.04 90.51 110.39 122.70 11.2

Farm price3 319.55 285.65 306.11 465.42 528.50 13.6 320.38 293.98 315.51 474.61 541.61 14.1

Landed cost4 411.14 376.70 395.62 574.81 649.72 13.0 412.96 386.02 406.01 584.99 664.31 13.6

Transport % of 

landed cost 22.3 24.2 22.7 19.1 18.7 -2.1 22.5 23.8 22.4 18.9 18.5 -2.3

In 2022, the cost per metric ton (mt) to ship soybeans from Sorriso, North Mato Grosso, via rail-Santos-Shanghai, 

China, was $7.80 less than from Davenport, IA, via the U.S. Gulf. From 2021 to 2022, the Brazil cost advantage 

narrowed because Iowa transportation costs rose less than the Brazilian costs. More than two thirds of soybeans 

exported from Santos were hauled by rail. From the Port of Santos, Sorriso is located 1,190 miles by truck or 1,401 

miles by a combination of truck (382 miles from Rondonópolis rail terminal) and rail (1,019 miles). 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. 

2021 2022

Davenport, IA, through U.S. Gulf $113.58 $139.62

Sorriso, North MT, through Santos by rail $103.73 $131.82

$0.00

$20.00

$40.00

$60.00

$80.00

$100.00

$120.00

$140.00

$160.00

U.S.$/metric ton

-$9.86

-$7.80

IA MT IA MT

Transportation costs to Shanghai, China, for routes from Mato Grosso (MT) (via rail) 

and Iowa (IA) ( via U.S. Gulf), 2021-22

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. Truck, rail, and ocean transportation costs may not sum exactly to total transportation costs because of rounding.

Source: Compiled by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
12

In 2022, the cost of shipping a metric ton of soybeans from Cruz Alta, Northwest Rio Grande do Sul, to 

Shanghai, China, was $53.18 less than from Davenport, IA. From 2021 to 2022, the Brazilian cost advantage 

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

the port of Rio Grande is 288 miles. 

Transportation costs to Shanghai, China, for routes from Rio Grande do Sul (RS) 

and Iowa (IA), 2021-22

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service. 

2021 2022

Davenport, IA, through U.S. Gulf $113.58 $139.62

Sorriso, North MT, through Barcarena $104.02 $130.49

$0.00

$20.00

$40.00

$60.00

$80.00

$100.00

$120.00

$140.00

$160.00

U.S.$/metric ton

-$9.56

-$9.13

IA MT IA MT

In 2022, the cost per metric ton (mt) to ship soybeans from Sorriso, North Mato Grosso, via barge-BarcarenaShanghai, China, was $9.13 less than from Davenport, IA, via U.S. Gulf. From 2021 to 2022, the U.S. cost 

disadvantage slightly narrowed. Brazil’s agribusinesses exported 1 million metric ton (mmt) of soybeans from 

the Port of Barcarena in 2014—the year the port first began operating. By 2022, Barcarena had become the 

fourth-largest Brazilian port for exporting soybeans (after Santos, São Luís, and Paranaguá). In 2022, the 

Barcarena accounted for 9 mmt of total Brazilian soybean exports (78.7 mmt). From the Port of Barcarena, 

Sorriso is about 1,272 miles away (600 miles by truck to Itaituba/Miritituba barge terminal, and 600 nautical 

miles by barge). From the Port of New Orleans, Davenport is 1,343 miles by barge. 

Transportation costs to Shanghai, China, for routes from Mato Grosso (MT) (via Barcarena) 

and Iowa (IA) (via U.S. Gulf), 2021-22

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service. 

2021 2022

Davenport, IA through U.S. Gulf 113.58 139.62

Northwest RS, through Rio Grande 72.78 86.43

$0.00

$20.00

$40.00

$60.00

$80.00

$100.00

$120.00

$140.00

$160.00

U.S.$/metric ton

+$40.80

+$53.18

IA RS IA RS
13

During 2022, Brazil’s transportation cost advantage for shipping soybeans to Shanghai, China, increased over 

the U.S Gulf route, but not the U.S. PNW routes, where the United States is still competitive. Brazil’s cost 

advantage was especially notable for soybeans that were shipped from Sorriso, North Mato Grosso, by railSantos, and by barge-Barcarena. Brazil’s cost advantage widened even more when soybeans were shipped by 

rail from Rio Verde, South Goiás, or from Cruz Alta, Northwest Rio Grande do Sul.

Transportation costs to Shanghai, China, for selected 

U.S. and Brazilian routes, 2022

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.

Sorriso, North MT, through Santos via truck $150.02

Davenport, IA, through U.S. Gulf $139.62

Sorriso, North MT, through Santos via rail $131.82

Sorriso, North MT, through Barcarena $130.49

Sioux Falls, SD, through Pacific Northwest $122.70

Fargo, ND, through Pacific Northwest $121.22

Balsas, South MA, through São Luís $102.63

Rio Verde, South GO, through Santos via rail $87.74

Cruz Alta, Northwest RS, through Rio Grande $86.43

$0.00

$20.00

$40.00

$60.00

$80.00

$100.00

$120.00

$140.00

$160.00

U.S.$/metric ton

ND GO MT via

truck IA MT via RS

rail

MT via 

barge

SD MA

During 2022, soybeans that shipped by rail from Rio Verde, South Goiás, via Santos to Shanghai, China, cost 

about $33-35 per metric ton less than U.S. shipments by the PNW routes. Rio Verde is 546 miles from Santos. 

The distances from Sioux Falls, SD, and Fargo, ND, to the PNW are 1,493 and 1,441 miles, respectively.

Transportation costs to Shanghai, China, for selected 

U.S. and Brazilian rail-inclusive routes, 2022

Note: MT = Mato Grosso, GO = Goiás, RS= Rio Grande do Sul, SD = South Dakota, and ND= North Dakota.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Sorriso, North MT, through Santos $131.82

Sioux Falls, SD, through Pacific Northwest $122.70

Fargo, ND, through Pacific Northwest $121.22

Rio Verde, South GO, through Santos $87.74

$0.00

$20.00

$40.00

$60.00

$80.00

$100.00

$120.00

$140.00

U.S.$/metric ton

MT SD ND GO
14

In 2022, selected Brazilian export truck routes, measured in reais (R$), had proportionally higher transportation 

costs than those estimated in U.S. dollars. Brazil’s higher costs were due to the weak Brazilian Real (R$) against 

the U.S. dollar, despite appreciating 4 percent against the U.S. dollar from 2021 to 2022. 

Route 

# Origin1 (reference city) Destination Distance2(miles)

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 % 

change 

2021-22 Freight price, US$/metric ton3

1 Northwest RS4 (Cruz Alta) Rio Grande 288 30.72 29.20 25.06 19.24 18.85 29.45 56.3

2 North MT (Sorriso) Santos 1,190 92.95 91.76 79.28 60.65 59.30 93.98 58.5

3 North MT (Sorriso) Paranaguá 1,262 89.41 90.20 75.78 59.87 58.62 93.11 58.8

4 South GO (Rio Verde) Santos 587 44.22 43.25 37.34 28.48 27.18 43.02 58.3

6 North Central PR (Londrina) Paranaguá 268 29.29 27.22 22.64 18.13 17.20 26.76 55.6

11 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Santos 901 63.63 62.16 53.56 41.57 40.89 64.24 57.1

27 North MT (Sorriso) Itaituba 672 59.65 56.27 46.64 31.72 31.84 49.44 55.3

29 North MT (Sorriso) Santarém 876 55.08 58.86 52.04 39.20 37.91 59.30 56.4

30 South MA (Balsas) São Luís 482 37.69 37.60 32.99 26.83 24.85 40.83 64.3

31 Southwest PI (Bom Jesus) São Luís 606 44.44 46.52 39.34 29.81 29.15 44.32 52.1

32 Southeast PA (Paragominas) Barcarena 249 25.00 22.39 20.12 15.20 14.42 22.51 56.1

33 East TO (Campos Lindos) São Luís 842 61.69 56.94 50.55 37.72 36.02 56.69 57.4

34 North MT (Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 --na-- 33.49 27.62 21.47 20.64 31.47 52.5

35 Rondonópolis MT (Rail terminal)5 Santos 1,019 --na-- 43.29 39.98 32.13 29.69 44.31 49.3

36 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)6 Santarém 153 --na-- --na-- 10.01 6.26 6.75 8.87 31.4

37 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)6 Barcarena 600 --na-- --na-- 15.33 11.94 12.63 18.32 45.0

38 South Rio Verde GO (Rail terminal)5 Santos 546 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na-- --na-- 31.71 -

1

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

routes by number is shown on page 29.

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, 2017-22
15

Truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export routes, 2017-22

Route 

# Origin1 (reference city) Destination Distance2(miles)

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 % 

change 

Freight price, reais/metric ton 2021-22 3

1 Northwest RS4 (Cruz Alta) Rio Grande 288 97.91 106.15 98.63 98.34 101.66 151.46 49.0

2 North MT (Sorriso) Santos 1,190 296.36 334.43 312.20 310.69 319.76 484.03 51.4

3 North MT (Sorriso) Paranaguá 1,262 285.12 328.71 298.83 306.56 316.02 479.55 51.7

4 South GO (Rio Verde) Santos 587 140.95 157.35 146.75 145.87 146.61 221.39 51.0

6 North Central PR (Londrina) Paranaguá 268 93.34 98.87 89.07 92.75 92.80 137.68 48.4

11 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Santos 901 202.86 226.32 210.83 212.84 220.44 330.69 50.0

27 North MT (Sorriso) Itaituba 672 190.01 204.53 183.26 162.06 171.70 254.60 48.3

29 North MT (Sorriso) Santarém 876 175.70 214.29 204.53 200.87 204.50 305.34 49.3

30 South MA (Balsas) São Luís 482 120.16 137.16 129.69 138.13 133.96 209.80 56.6

31 Southwest PI (Bom Jesus) São Luís 606 141.67 169.77 154.46 153.25 157.30 227.92 44.9

32 Southeast PA (Paragominas) Barcarena 249 79.64 81.19 78.95 77.84 77.83 115.73 48.7

33 East TO (Campos Lindos) São Luís 842 196.74 207.55 198.95 193.24 194.31 291.88 50.2

34 North MT (Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 --na-- 121.48 108.61 109.95 111.36 161.94 45.4

35 Rondonópolis MT (Rail terminal)5 Santos 1,019 --na-- 157.64 157.62 164.24 160.22 228.32 42.5

36 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)6 Santarém 153 --na-- --na-- 25.78 21.19 24.12 30.07 24.7

37 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)6 Barcarena 600 --na-- --na-- 74.17 75.24 83.88 115.92 38.2

38 South Rio Verde GO (Rail terminal)5 Santos 546 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na-- --na-- 163.08 -

1

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

routes by number is shown on page 29

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.
16

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

3-port average 2022: $48.35 2021 2022

3-port average 2021: $45.25

On average, the cost to ship 1 mt of soybeans from Brazil to Shanghai by ocean vessel increased from $54.21/

mt in 2021 to $56.79/mt in 2022. 

Ocean rates from Brazil to Shanghai, China, increased in 2022

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

2021 2022

3-port average 2021: $54.21

3-port average 2022: $56.79

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

increased from $45.25/mt in 2021 to $48.25/mt in 2022.

Ocean rates from Brazil to Hamburg, Germany, increased in 2022
17

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

Santos

São Luís

Rio Grande

Barcarena

Ocean rates for shipping soybeans from Santos to 

Shanghai, China, and Hamburg, Germany, 2022

Ocean rates for shipping soybeans from selected Brazilian ports to Shanghai, China, 2022
18

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).

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

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

2022 2,985.13 2,765.71 2,760.57 2,905.28 2,791.82 2,972.15 2,874.64

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

Reais/metric ton

+13% +6% +7% +12% +9% +10% +10%

RS MT GO PR PI PA MA

2021 489.39 482.47 479.82 483.19 475.78 500.40 484.89

2022 579.79 536.97 536.05 564.25 542.19 577.29 558.13

0.00

100.00

200.00

300.00

400.00

500.00

600.00

700.00

US$/metric ton

+18% +11% +12% +17% +14% +15% +15%

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 15 percent from 2021 to 2022—from $485.13/mt to $556.38/mt. The depreciation 

of the real also led to higher domestic prices. On average, in reais, farm gate prices increased nearly 10 percent 

from 2021 to 2022—from R$2,614.67/mt to R$2,865.04/mt.

Selected Brazilian farm prices, US$/metric ton, 2021-22

Selected Brazilian farm prices, reais/metric ton, 2021-22
19

Source: Banco Central do Brasil

1st 2nd 3rd 4th

2020 4.47 5.38 5.38 5.39

2021 5.48 5.29 5.23 5.59

2022 5.22 4.93 5.25 5.25

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

5.00

5.50

6.00

6.50

7.00

Reais per US$

Average 2021: 5.40

Average 2020: 5.15

Average 2022: 5.16

U.S.-Brazil soybeans modal share, 

2019-20, percent*

Mode Brazil United States

Total

Truck 67 50

Rail 24 23

Barge 9 28

Exports

Truck 49 16

Rail 38 31

Barge 13 53

Domestic

Truck 97 83

Rail 1 14

Barge 2 2

US-Brazil soybeans modal share for exports, 

2019-20, percent*

Note: Brazil 2019 data compiled from the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT); National Land Transport Agency (ANTAQ), Comex-Vis, Mnistry 

of Economy, and National Supply Company (CONAB). Brazil 2019 is the latest data available. U.S. 2020 data is the latest available. 

*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 U.S.

Truck 49 16

Rail 38 31

Barge 13 53

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Percentage shaare

From 2021 to 2022, the Brazilian real appreciated by 4 percent against the U.S. dollar, from R$5.40 per U.S. 

dollar to R$5.16 per U.S. dollar.

Average quarterly exchange rate, real per U.S. dollar, 2020-22

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 trucking. Brazil continues to depend heavily on trucks to transport 

grain to major destinations. 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 elevator terminals is about 25-100 miles.
20

Note: Data for 2020 are not available.

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

28.6

23.5

31

27.3

38.4 30.0

27.7

31.3

30.3

40.5

31.7 30.0 30.4

33.8

43.6

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

South Southeast Center West Northeast North

Additional cost (%)

Brazil regions

2019 2021 2022

Average 2022: 33.1%

Average 2019: 28.5%

Average 2021: 30.9% 

According to estimates based on the 2022 Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT) survey of overall 

highway conditions in Brazil, the 2022 marginal operational cost of cargo trucks was 33 percent higher than it 

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

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 nearly 31 percent in 2021 to 33 percent in 2022. For example, according to CNT, 

the actual cost in 2022 of shipping a metric ton of soybeans from Sorriso, North MT, to Santos was $100 per 

metric ton (mt), but the optimal cost was $66.90/mt. 

Cost increases because of poor road pavement conditions, 2019-22
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—has 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 were suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of November 2023, 

a new date for the hearings has not yet been set. Until then, the current law remains in force. The Brazilian

Government created a provisional measure that changes the automatic parameters of the freight table. 

Because of the high volatility of Brazilian fuel prices, the table’s new parameters account for up to a 10-percent 

variation in the diesel price. In August 2023, ANTT’s adjustments to the minimum freight rates resulted in an 

average increase of 3-5 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

New Growth Acceleration Plan Investment (PAC): Selected Infrastructure Project Priorities 

That Facilitate Agricultural Exports

On August 11, 2023, the Brazilian Government announced a New Growth Acceleration Plan (PAC) to promote 

expansion of the railway networks, extend coverage to the new Brazilian production frontiers, and increase 

the capacity of this mode of transport. The PAC entrusts Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with fiscal and 

environmental responsibility, as well as looking after social needs. The new PAC will invest R$94.2 billion ($18.9 

billion) in the railway sector between 2023 and 2026.5 Key to the export sector, railways transfer part of longdistance cargo handling from highways to railroads, and reduce the logistical costs and environmental impacts 

of transportation. The New PAC will promote the railroad industry, encouraging the production of railroad 

materials and inputs in Brazil. 

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

Extension: 949 miles (1,527 km). FIOL railway 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: FIOL I: Ilhéus 

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

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

Current Status: In July 2023, the construction of FIOL I (between Ilhéus and Caetité) started. China 

Railway No.10 Engineering Group Co Ltd. (CREC 10), a subsidiary of China Railway (State-owned 

enterprise in China), has been tasked with constructing the first 78 miles (126 km) of railway. In 

2027 (36 months), this section is expected to be available for use. The Brazilian mining company 

Bahia Mineraçao S.A. (Bamin) financed the $301 million (1.5 billion reais (R$)) investment for 

this project. This project is China Railway’s first rail project in Brazil. On April 8, 2021, Bamin was 

named to run the 35-year concession to complete and operate FIOL I, which will facilitate iron ore 

exports from Bamin’s mines to the ports.

The Ministry of Transport is working on projects for the concession of two other stretches of FIOL 

II, between Caetité (BA) and Barreiras (BA), with works in progress; and FIOL III, from Barreiras 

(BA) to Figueirópolis (TO).

2. Center-West Integration (FICO) Railroad (EF - 354): Mara Rosa, Goiás – Água Boa, Mato Grosso 

(MT)–Lucas do Rio Verde (MT)-Vilhnea, Rondônia (RO). Extension: 1,020 miles (1,641 km) divided 

in three sections: 

• Section I, called FICO 1: from Mara Rosa-Água Boa, MT (238 miles (383 km)); 

• Section II: Água Boa-Lucas do Rio Verde, MT (314 miles (505 km)); 

• Section III: Lucas do Rio Verde-Vilhena, RO (401 miles (646 km)). 

The 238 miles stretch of FICO 1, will connect the Araguaia Valley, a productive and developing region 

of Mato Grosso to Goiás with the North-South Railway. The route will facilitate the flow of grain to 

the ports of Santos (SP), Itaqui (MA)—and in the future, Ilhéus, (BA) via FIOL. FICO 1 eventually will be 

extended from Lucas do Rio Verde (MT) to Mara Rosa, and finally, to Vilhena in Rondônia.

5 Exchange rate of 4.98 real per U.S. dollar, August 17, 2023.
23

Current Status: In 2023, FICO 1 construction started. Vale S.A. is building the railroad at an estimated 

cost of $538.1 million (R$2.73 billion). In 2021, the Brazilian Government announced its agreement with 

the World Bank to grant the FIOL-FICO rail concession to the private sector.

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. By serving as an alternative route for soybean and corn exports, 

the EF-170 is expected to increase transport capacity and competitiveness within the corridor and 

alleviate traffic conditions on highway BR-163. The estimated cost of the project is $5.1 billion (R$ 

25.2 billion). The concession is for 69 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. The Federal Supreme Court will determine the constitutionality of the Law 

13,452/2017, which allows the construction of the railroad in an environmental conservation 

area, previously owned by the Jamanxim National Park. The railroad faced resistance from the 

region’s indigenous peoples, who will be impacted by the socio-environmental risks associated 

with the project. In 2021, the project was stopped by court order, because the law did not 

consider environmental compensation to the region’s indigenous people by the project executors.

4. BR-163: On May 4, 2023, the Brazilian Government transferred—from Rota do Oeste to the State 

of Mato Grosso (Brazil’s largest grain producer)—the concession of the 529 miles (850.9 km) 

stretch of BR-163 between the border of Mato Grosso do Sul and Sinop, North Mato Grosso. In 

2013, the concession-holder Rota do Oeste committed to duplicate 280 miles (450 km) of the 

road but only 75 miles (120 km) were delivered.

Current Status: The State of Mato Grosso should begin working on the highway in 2023, 

estimating that at least 52 miles (84 km) of additional lanes will be delivered in the first year of 

the concession. The government of Mato Grosso will invest $321.2 million (R$1.6 billion) within 

the next 2 years (Canalrural).

The 663-mile (1,067 km) stretch of BR-163 from Sorriso, North Mato Grosso, to Miritituba was 

completed in late November 2019. Currently, via 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 the 

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

reports of road deterioration (A Tribuna).

5. BR 158: Together with BR 163 and BR 164, BR 158 is one of the longest and main highways in 

the interior of Brazil. The stretch of 2,452 miles (3,946 km) connects the northern part of Brazil 

from Altamira, Pará, to the southern part of do Livramento, Rio Grande do Sul, on the Uruguayan 

border, where the highway joins Route 5. It crosses the states of Pará, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato 

Grosso do Sul, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul. Since it goes through Mato Grosso, it will facilitate 

the export of agricultural products to ports in the Northeast and Southeast of Brazil.

Current status: Estimated investment of around $27.3 million (R$136.6 million) in the extension 

of the BR 158 (CanalRural). Under study.
24

Port Santos: In 2022, COFCO International Brasil SA won the auction of the 25-year concession to build 

a new agriculture solid bulk terminal (STS 11). In 2026, the terminal will be fully operational, expanding 

COFCO’s port capacity in Brazil to 14 million tons. As part of the lease agreement, COFCO will invest in 

the modernization and expansion of the terminal facilities. 

• The Santos-Guarujá underwater tunnel: The tunnel is one of the State of São Paulo’s 

top-priority infrastructure initiatives, which is integrated into the New PAC. As specified, 

an underwater tunnel—stretching 2,822 feet (860 meters)—will connect the right and left 

banks of the Port of Santos. Construction on the tunnel will begin in 2024 and finish in 2 

years. It will facilitate the flow of cargo and passengers between the ports of Santos and 

Guarujá. (DatamarNews and World Highways).

Current Status: The Brazilian Federal Government and the government of the State of 

São Paulo have agreed to construct the Santos-Guarujá tunnel through a Public-Private 

Partnership (PPP). The project will involve a combination of public funds and concessions 

to the private sector. Construction should start in 2024 and take 24 months to complete. 

Reaching a depth of 115 feet (35 meters), the tunnel will be tolled and is likely to measure 

1.1 miles (1.7 km) in length, with three lanes of traffic in either direction. The project will 

receive an estimated investment of $1.1 billion (R$5.4 billion) in Federal resources, of 

which $502 million (R$2.5 billion) are already available for the Port Authority of Santos 

(CNNBrasil). 

• Port of Santos: A project to increase the port’s access channel from the current depth of 

15 meters to 17 meters is planned to start construction as early as 2024.

Port of Belem/Vila de Conde: A channel dredging project in the Port of Barcarena, Pará, will deepen the 

port to handle larger vessels, in the Pará region, and expand export logistical facilities in the Arco Norte. 

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

Stretching for 1,402 miles (2,257 km), this new railroad represents a major connection in Brazil’s 

rail network. The North-South Railroad links the northeastern port of Itaquí-Sâo Luis, Maranhão, 

with the southern port of Santos-São Paulo. The four States receiving new access are Tocantins, 

Goiás, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo. Since 2019, Rumo S.A. has signed the 30-year concession 

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

Current status: The railroad’s construction, which began 35 years ago, was completed in June 

2023 with the opening of Rumo’s rail terminal in Rio Verde (Goiás). Serving Goiás and eastern 

Mato Grosso, the new facility will handle 11 million metric tons of grain and soybean meal per 

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

southwest Goiás producers. These 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. Offering an alternative route to Center-West producers, shipping via this rail 

expansion currently costs 15-20 percent less than by trucking (according to Rumo), and it offers 

even greater savings over barge through the Tietê-Paraná waterway. Also, the new railroad will 

be used to transport containers from Maranhão to the Southeast region. Currently, Rumo focuses 

on transporting grain and oilseeds, such as soybeans, corn, and soybean meal. However, there is 

potential for other cargoes.
25

In July 2023, Rumo joined a new partnership with an American company, Central Harvest States 

(CHS), to build and operate a multimodal grain terminal in Alvorada, southern Tocantins, in 

north-central Brazil. The terminal will handle 1.5 mmt of grain annually, destined for the Port of 

Santos. It will link into the newly completed North-South Railroad. The terminal will handle grain 

volumes (soybeans and corn) from CHS and other interested parties in the region. Construction 

is scheduled to begin during the second half of 2023 with the first grain shipments in mid-2024 

(Soybean & Corn Advisor). Since 2021, Rumo and CHS have had a fertilizer terminal in Rio Verde 

through Andali—a joint venture of BRFertil with CHS. The plant offers structures for cargo 

transportation and fertilizer mixing. 

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 regulation 

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 projects are 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 projects extend to lengths that are equal to or greater than 6.2 miles (10 

kilometers). Examples include a railway bypass, new stretch of track, branch, variant, or addition 

of a railway line.

• Special artwork design projects can involve as a bridge, railway viaduct, underpass, or footbridge.

• Auxiliary installation projects include such examples as an administrative building, filling and 

washing station, sandpit, or wagon and locomotive workshop; and

• Diverse projects cover such items as level crossing (PN), pedestrian crossing (PNP) and signaling, 

or control system.

In the case of the PIC, projects that are classified as small-scale railway, special artwork, auxiliary installations, 

or diverse will be automatically authorized—unless they impact the economic-financial balance of the 

contract.

In the case of PIT projects, the works will be authorized after the concessionaire approves them. Most PIT 

projects encompass essential public services, such as railway crossings; sanitation networks (water supply 

network, sewage collection network, urban drainage network); and electric-power-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 engage in cabotage within 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.
26

Since 2013, Brazil’s total export volumes increased more than 80 percent. The expansion is the result of a 

comprehensive infrastructure improvement plan between the Brazilian Government and the private sector 

that started in 2007.

Brazilian soybean exports capacity expansion by port, 2013-22

Ports

Million metric tons

2013 2014 2022

Santos 12.9 12.7 25.7 

São Luís 3.0 3.1 11.2 

Paranaguá 7.7 7.5 10.2 

Barcarena/

Belém - 1.1 8.9 

Rio Grande 8.2 8.2 5.7 

Salvador 1.8 2.0 3.9 

Vitória 2.8 3.1 3.7 

São Francisco 

do Sul 4.0 4.9 3.2 

Manaus 1.3 1.4 3.1 

Santarém 1.0 0.9 2.5 

Others 0.1 0.7 0.6 

Total 42.8 45.7 78.7 

Brazil soybean exports: 2013

1 World Wildlife Fund.

2 Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics—Produção Agricola Municipal.

Note: A hyphen in an otherwise empty cell denotes that the data are not available.

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia and USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service.

Brazil soybean exports: 2022

1

2

1

2
27

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

Source: National Logistics Plan (NLP) 2035, Scenario 7: includes the maintenance and completion of ongoing 

infrastructure projects, Brazil Ministry of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Company (EPL) 2021.

2017* 2035

Highways 64.9 51.6

Railways 15.0 34.2

Cabotage 10.5 8.6

Waterways 5.3 4.2

Others 4.5 1.8

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Percentage shaare

-13%

+19%

-1.9%

-1.1% -3%

In 2021, through joint efforts with the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Brazilian Enterprise for Planning and 

Logistics (EPL) presented the Brazilian National Logistics Plan 2035 (NLP 2035) to systematize and integrate 

the entire transport planning cycle at the Federal level. Over the next 12 years, the plan aims to reduce truck 

shipments by 13 percent, from 65 to nearly 52 percent; raise railway participation by 19 percent; as a result, 

cabotage will decrease about 2 percent while waterway use slightly decreases. The improved infrastructure 

has facilitated 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
28

Tonnages and modal share for Brazil soybeans, 2010-19

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 Stat, Ministry of 

Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), and National Supply Company (CONAB). Data for 2020-22 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.
29

Transportation Indicators

Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports 

to Shanghai, China, 2022

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 83.64 102.44 99.71 90.13 93.98 82.88 101.50 98.83 89.22 93.11

Ocean 62.00 65.75 48.70 47.70 56.04 64.00 67.75 49.00 48.60 57.34

Total transportation 145.64 168.19 148.41 137.83 150.02 146.88 169.25 147.83 137.82 150.44

Farm gate price3 550.71 566.29 514.98 515.89 536.97 550.71 566.29 514.98 515.89 536.97

Landed cost 696.34 734.48 663.39 653.73 686.98 697.58 735.55 662.81 653.71 687.41

Transport % of landed cost 20.9 22.9 22.4 21.1 21.8 21.1 23.0 22.3 21.1 21.9

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

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 27.91 34.83 32.45 30.70 31.47 27.55 32.57 30.05 27.61 29.45

Rail4 37.69 45.54 46.56 47.45 44.31 - - - - -

Ocean 62.00 65.75 48.70 47.70 56.04 62.75 66.50 50.30 48.40 56.99

Total transportation 127.60 146.12 127.71 125.85 131.82 90.30 99.07 80.35 76.01 86.43

Farm gate price3 550.71 566.29 514.98 515.89 536.97 604.37 617.87 552.66 544.28 579.79

Landed cost 678.31 712.41 642.69 641.74 668.79 694.66 716.94 633.01 620.29 666.23

Transport % of landed cost 18.8 20.5 19.9 19.6 19.7 13.0 13.8 12.7 12.3 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. A hyphen in an otherwise empty cell denotes that the data are not available.

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 southern ports 

to Hamburg, Germany, 2022

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 83.64 102.44 99.71 90.13 93.98 82.88 101.50 98.83 89.22 93.11

Ocean 52.70 55.85 42.60 42.20 48.34 51.50 54.60 41.60 41.20 47.23

Total transportation 136.34 158.29 142.31 132.33 142.32 134.38 156.10 140.43 130.42 140.33

Farm gate price3 550.71 566.29 514.98 515.89 536.97 550.71 566.29 514.98 515.89 536.97

Landed cost 687.04 724.58 657.29 648.23 679.28 685.08 722.40 655.41 646.31 677.30

Transport % of landed cost 19.8 21.8 21.7 20.4 20.9 19.6 21.6 21.4 20.2 20.7

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

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 27.91 34.83 32.45 30.70 31.47 27.55 32.57 30.05 27.61 29.45

Rail4 37.69 45.54 46.56 47.45 44.31 - - - - -

Ocean 52.70 55.85 42.60 42.20 48.34 54.00 57.20 43.60 43.10 49.48

Total transportation 118.30 136.22 121.61 120.35 124.12 81.55 89.77 73.65 70.71 78.92

Farm gate price3 550.71 566.29 514.98 515.89 536.97 604.37 617.87 552.66 544.28 579.79

Landed cost 669.01 702.51 636.59 636.24 661.09 685.91 707.64 626.31 614.99 658.71

Transport % of landed cost 17.7 19.4 19.1 18.9 18.8 11.9 12.7 11.8 11.5 12.0

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. A hyphen in an otherwise empty cell denotes that the data are not available.

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

Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the northern and northeastern 

ports to Shanghai, China, 2022

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 53.57 64.82 63.19 55.64 59.30 38.28 46.68 44.47 33.88 40.83

Ocean 66.00 69.90 56.00 54.80 61.68 66.20 70.00 56.00 55.00 61.80

Total transportation 119.57 134.72 119.19 110.44 120.98 104.48 116.68 100.47 88.88 102.63

Farm gate price3 550.71 566.29 514.98 515.89 536.97 558.85 591.24 545.43 537.00 558.13

Landed cost 670.27 701.01 634.17 626.33 657.95 663.33 707.92 645.91 625.88 660.76

Transport % of landed cost 17.8 19.2 18.8 17.6 18.4 15.8 16.5 15.6 14.2 15.5

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

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

Truck 38.32 51.28 47.29 40.38 44.32 46.94 52.63 52.49 45.72 49.44

Barge4 - - - - - 16.28 19.93 19.43 17.62 18.32

Ocean 66.20 70.00 56.00 55.00 61.80 68.00 72.00 55.40 55.50 62.73

Total transportation 104.52 121.28 103.29 95.38 106.12 131.22 144.56 127.32 118.84 130.49

Farm gate price3 543.56 585.80 529.04 510.35 542.19 550.71 566.29 514.98 515.89 536.97

Landed cost 648.08 707.08 632.33 605.72 648.31 681.92 710.86 642.29 634.73 667.45

Transport % of landed cost 16.1 17.2 16.3 15.7 16.3 19.2 20.3 19.8 18.7 19.5

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. A hyphen in an otherwise empty cell denotes that the data are not available.

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

Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the northern and northeastern 

ports to Hamburg, Germany, 2022

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 53.57 64.82 63.19 55.64 59.30 38.28 46.68 44.47 33.88 40.83

Ocean 49.10 52.00 46.00 39.60 46.68 56.50 60.00 40.00 39.80 49.08

Total transportation 102.67 116.82 109.19 95.24 105.98 94.78 106.68 84.47 73.68 89.90

Farm gate price3 550.71 566.29 514.98 515.89 536.97 558.85 591.24 545.43 537.00 558.13

Landed cost 653.37 683.11 624.17 611.13 642.95 653.63 697.92 629.91 610.68 648.04

Transport % of landed cost 15.7 17.1 17.5 15.6 16.5 14.5 15.3 13.4 12.1 13.8

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

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

Truck 38.32 51.28 47.29 40.38 44.32 46.94 52.63 52.49 45.72 49.44

Barge4 - - - - - 16.28 19.93 19.43 17.62 18.32

Ocean 56.50 60.00 40.00 39.80 49.08 48.00 50.80 39.70 39.20 44.43

Total transportation 94.82 111.28 87.29 80.18 93.39 111.22 123.36 111.62 102.54 112.19

Farm gate price3 543.56 585.80 529.04 510.35 542.19 550.71 566.29 514.98 515.89 536.97

Landed cost 638.38 697.08 616.33 590.52 635.58 661.92 689.66 626.59 618.43 649.15

Transport % of landed cost 14.9 16.0 14.2 13.6 14.6 16.8 17.9 17.8 16.6 17.3

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. A hyphen in an otherwise empty cell denotes that the data are not available.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
33

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 6.7 9.56 11.31 10.43 9.59 10.22

2 North MT (Sorriso) Santos 1,190 3.3 7.03 8.61 8.38 7.57 7.90

3 North MT (Sorriso) Paranaguá 1,262 3.1 6.57 8.04 7.83 7.07 7.38

4 South GO (Rio Verde) Santos 587 5.1 6.65 8.15 7.62 6.89 7.33

5 South GO (Rio Verde) Paranaguá 726 4.1 6.79 8.18 8.10 7.28 7.59

6 North Central PR (Londrina) Paranaguá 268 3.4 9.14 10.88 10.52 9.41 9.99

7 Western Central PR (Mamborê) Paranaguá 311 2.5 8.46 10.20 9.87 9.00 9.38

8 Triangle MG (Uberaba) Santos 339 3.3 9.03 10.94 10.18 9.28 9.86

9 West PR (Assis Chateaubriand) Paranaguá 377 4.1 7.91 9.46 8.90 8.19 8.62

10 West Extreme BA (São Desidério) Salvador 535 6.1 7.25 8.61 8.28 7.72 7.96

11 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Santos 901 2.5 6.30 7.87 7.63 6.72 7.13

12 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Paranaguá 975 2.3 6.08 7.45 7.20 6.49 6.81

13 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Paranaguá 612 3.6 6.99 8.00 8.26 7.50 7.69

14 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Santos 652 3.4 6.97 8.41 8.20 7.40 7.74

15 West PR (Assis Chateaubriand) Santos 550 2.0 7.23 7.47 7.14 6.54 7.09

16 East GO (Cristalina) Santos 585 2.1 7.71 9.39 8.97 8.13 8.55

17 North PR (Cornélio Procópio) Paranaguá 306 1.8 7.46 8.86 8.57 7.59 8.12

18 Eastern Central PR (Castro) Paranaguá 130 2.1 11.07 13.55 13.44 11.60 12.42

19 South Central PR (Guarapuava) Paranaguá 204 2.5 10.42 12.38 12.10 10.56 11.37

20 North Central MS 

(São Gabriel do Oeste) Santos 720 2.6 6.11 7.37 7.19 6.49 6.79

21 Ribeirão Preto SP (Guairá) Santos 314 0.5 7.41 8.71 8.35 7.45 7.98

22 Northeast MT (Canarana) Santos 950 2.5 6.47 7.85 7.63 6.89 7.21

23 East MS (Chapadão do Sul) Santos 607 1.3 6.15 7.35 7.00 6.41 6.73

24 Northeast MT (Canarana) Paranaguá 1,075 2.2 6.42 7.66 7.71 6.90 7.17

25 Western Central RS (Tupanciretã) Rio Grande 273 1.4 8.51 9.92 9.06 8.49 8.99

26 Southwest PR (Chopinzinho) Paranaguá 291 1.8 7.70 10.19 9.76 8.70 9.09

27 North MT (Sorriso) Itaituba 672 5.8 6.99 7.84 7.81 6.81 7.36

28 North MT (Sorriso) Porto Velho 632 6.1 6.43 7.62 7.16 6.54 6.94

29 North MT (Sorriso) Santarém 876 4.4 6.11 7.40 7.21 6.35 6.77

30 South MA (Balsas) São Luís 482 2.1 7.95 9.69 9.23 7.04 8.48

31 Southwest PI (Bom Jesus) São Luís 606 2.4 6.33 8.46 7.81 6.66 7.32

32 Southeast PA (Paragominas) Barcarena 249 1.6 8.42 9.77 9.57 8.46 9.05

33 East TO (Campos Lindos) São Luís 842 1.4 6.05 7.32 7.12 6.43 6.73

Weighted average 587 100.0 7.43 8.90 8.57 7.69 8.15

34 North MT (Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 7.31 9.12 8.50 8.04 8.24

35 Rondonópolis MT (Rail terminal)6 Santos 1,019 3.70 4.47 4.57 4.66 4.35

36 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)7 Santarém 153 4.95 6.63 6.00 5.62 5.80

37 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)7 Barcarena 600 2.71 3.32 3.24 2.94 3.05

38 South GO (Rio Verde)(Rail terminal)6 Santos 546 4.97 6.59 6.00 5.68 5.81

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.

Quarterly truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2022
34

Truck rates for selected southern Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2020-22

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

01/2004/2007/2010/2001/2104/2107/2110/2101/2204/2207/2210/22

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, 2020-22

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-20

Apr-20

Jul-20

Oct-20

Jan-21

Apr-21

Jul-21

Oct-21

Jan-22

Apr-22

Jul-22

Oct-22

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
35

Brazilian soybean export truck transportation weighted average prices, 2020-22

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-20

Apr-20

Jul-20

Oct-20

Jan-21

Apr-21

Jul-21

Oct-21

Jan-22

Apr-22

Jul-22

Oct-22

US$/mt/100 miles
36

Monthly Brazilian soybean export truck transportation cost index, 2015-22

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-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

Jan-18 7.59 5.0 130.90 Jan-22 5.94 30.9 102.42

Feb-18 8.65 13.9 149.04 Feb-22 7.77 30.8 134.02

Mar-18 10.59 22.5 182.61 Mar-22 8.59 10.4 147.99

Apr-18 9.78 -7.7 168.59 Apr-22 8.83 2.9 152.27

May-18 8.96 -8.4 154.45 May-22 9.05 2.4 155.94

Jun-18 8.89 -0.8 153.24 Jun-22 8.83 -2.4 152.18

Jul-18 8.97 0.9 154.58 Jul-22 8.98 1.7 154.78

Aug-18 8.24 -8.1 142.00 Aug-22 8.79 -2.1 151.51

Sep-18 7.24 -12.1 124.78 Sep-22 7.93 -9.8 136.68

Oct-18 7.69 6.2 132.55 Oct-22 7.71 -2.7 132.98

Nov-18 7.51 -2.3 129.44 Nov-22 7.42 -3.9 127.84

Dec-18 7.19 -4.3 123.87 Dec-22 7.94 7.1 136.89

*Weighted average is calculated from production-based shares to weigh 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 monthly weighted export truck freight index. 

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
37

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

Shanghai, China, 2016-22 (US$/metric ton)*

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 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 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 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

Port 1st qtr 2022 2nd qtr 2022 3rd qtr 2022 4th qtr 2022 2022 Average

Santos 62.00 65.75 48.70 47.70 56.04

Paranaguá 64.00 67.75 49.00 48.60 57.34

Rio Grande 62.75 66.50 49.00 48.40 56.99

Santarém 66.00 69.90 56.00 54.80 61.68

São Luís 66.20 70.00 56.00 55.00 61.80

Barcarena 68.00 72.00 55.40 55.50 62.73

*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 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
38

Quarterly ocean freight rates for shipping soybeans from selected Brazilian ports 

to Hamburg, Germany, 2016-22 (US$/metric ton)*

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 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 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 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 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

Port 1st qtr 2022 2nd qtr 2022 3rd qtr 2022 4th qtr 2022 2022 Average

Santos 52.70 55.85 42.60 42.20 48.34

Paranaguá 51.50 54.60 41.60 41.20 47.23

Rio Grande 54.00 57.20 43.60 43.10 49.48

Santarém 49.10 52.00 46.00 39.60 46.68

São Luís 56.50 60.00 40.00 39.80 49.08

Barcarena 48.00 50.80 39.70 39.20 44.43

*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 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
39

Soybean Production

Soybean production by state, 2021/22-2023/24 

Region/State

Production

2021-22

(1,000 mt)

Production*

2022-23

(1,000 mt)

Production**

2023-24

(1,000 mt)

% Change

2023-24

NORTH

Roraima (RR) 285 344.4 426.3 23.8

Rondônia (RO) 1668.8 2,036.7 2,046.4 0.5

Acre (AC) 20.4 45.7 38.9 -14.9

Amazonas (AM) 13.5 19.9 27.8 39.7

Amapá (AP) 17.2 19.7 19.2 -2.5

Pará (PA) 2497.9 2,877.7 3,194.1 11.0

Tocantins (TO) 3877.1 4,809.3 4,751.0 -1.2

Total 8,379.9 10,153.4 10,503.7 3.5

NORTHEAST

Maranhão (MA) 3,573.6 3,910.0 3,903.2 -0.2

Piauí (PI) 3,014.0 3,549.0 3,691.9 4.0

Ceará (CE) - 17.9 15.5 -13.4

Alagoas (AL) 6.2 19.1 17.2 -9.9

Bahia (BA) 7,283.1 7,717.2 7,741.2 0.3

Total 13,876.9 15,213.2 15,369.0 1.0

CENTER-WEST

Mato Grosso (MT) 41,490.20 45,600.50 43,492.90 -4.6

Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) 8,932.7 14,054.3 13,885.9 -1.2

Goiás (GO) 17,389.9 17,734.9 17,045.8 -3.9

Distrito Federal (DF) 313.2 318.5 310.5 -2.5

Total 68,126.00 77,708.2 74,735.1 -3.8

SOUTHEAST

Minas Gerais (MG) 7,590.5 8,346.5 8,381.6 0.4

São Paulo (SP) 4,176.5 4,911.4 4,705.2 -4.2

Total 11,767.0 13,257.9 13,086.8 -1.3

SOUTH

Paraná (PR) 12,250.3 22,384.9 21,773.1 -2.7

Santa Catarina (SC) 2,038.7 2,873.5 2,821.7 -1.8

Rio Grande do Sul (RS) 9,111.0 13,018.4 21,887.8 68.1

Total 23,400.0 38,276.8 46,482.6 21.4

 TOTAL PRODUCTION 125,549.8 154,609.5 160,177.2 3.6

Note: CONAB’s 2023-2024 season refers to the crop planted in 2023 and harvested in 2024.

* = estimated and ** = forecast, December 2023

Source: Companhia Nacional de abastecimento (CONAB).
40

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

 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 46,461 49,556 1,973

 2020/21 39,500 1,973 139,500 791 142,264 88,512 48,121 51,326 2,426

 2021/22 41,500 2,426 130,500 416 133,342 77,118 51,196 54,441 1,783

 2022/23 44,300 1,783 160,000 200 161,983 102,000 53,700 57,500 2,483

 2023/24** 45,600 2,483 161,000 450 163,933 101,000 55,500 59,450 3,483

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

**Forecast, December 8, 2023.

Source: USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service/Market and Trade Data/Reports/Oilseeds
41

Top 15 Brazilian 

soybean exporting states, 2020-22

State

2020 2021 2022

Rank

1,000 metric ton

Mato Grosso (MT) 22,326 23,766 24,765 1 

Goiás (GO) 7,318 7,414 10,027 2 

Minas Gerais (MG) 4,560 4,668 5,503 3 

Rio Grande do Sul (RS) 8,466 12,538 5,383 4 

Paraná (PR) 13,404 10,644 5,038 5 

São Paulo (SP) 4,901 4,959 5,060 6 

Bahia (BA) 3,761 3,990 4,521 7 

Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) 4,796 5,426 3,574 8 

Maranhão (MA) 2,299 2,794 3,449 9 

Tocantins (TO) 2,554 2,904 3,144 10 

Pará (PA) 2,227 1,961 2,424 11 

Piauí (PI) 1,188 1,501 1,940 12 

Rondônia (RO) 1,244 1,539 1,721 13 

Santa Catarina (SC) 1,935 1,455 1,025 14 

Roraima (RR) 100 146 208 15 

Others 1,890 397 946

Total 82,968 86,100 78,726

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.

Exports
42

Top five Brazilian soybean exporting states, 2020-22

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.

Brazil average monthly soybean exports, 2019-22

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.

0

5

10

15

20

25

2020 2021 2022

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

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2019-2021 1.5 5.3 13.1 16.4 16.0 13.3 10.7 7.1 5.7 4.5 3.8 2.6

2022 3.1 8.0 15.5 14.6 13.5 12.7 9.5 7.5 5.1 4.8 3.2 2.5 Percentage

2019-2021 2022
43

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).
44

World export routes for Brazilian soybeans

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

Top five Brazilian soybean-export destinations, 2020-22

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

China Spain Thailand Iran Netherlands

Million metric tons

2020 2021 2022
45

In 2022, Brazil was the leading soybean exporter, followed by the United States, Paraguay, Canada, and 

Argentina. USDA forecasts that Brazil will sustain its leadership position in 2023.

Top five world soybean-exporting countries, 2021/22- 2023/24*

*Forecast December 2023.

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

0 20 40 60 80 100

 Brazil

 United States

 Paraguay

 Argentina

 Canada

 Other

(Million metric tons)

2021/22

2022/23

Oct 2023/24*
46

Exports to China

In 2022, Brazil exported 53.6 mmt of soybeans to China, valued at $31.8 billion, 11 percent less than 2021’s 

total (60.5 mmt), accounting for 68 percent of Brazil’s total exports (78.9 mmt). Over 90 percent of Brazilian 

soybean exports to China in 2022 originated from Mato Grosso, Goiás, Rio Grande do Sul, Minas Gerais, 

Paraná, São Paulo, Bahia, Mato Grosso do Sul, Maranhão, and Tocantins.

Brazil average monthly soybean exports to China, 2019-22

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2019-21 1.7 5.5 12.8 16.0 15.1 12.7 10.7 7.2 5.9 5.1 4.5 2.9

2022 3.7 8.0 15.8 14.0 12.1 12.1 9.7 8.1 4.7 5.6 3.8 2.4 Percentage

2019-21 2022
47

Top 15 Brazilian soybean exporting states to China, 2020-22

State

2020 2021 2022

Rank

1,000 metric ton

Mato Grosso 11,466 12,326 14,226 1 

Rio Grande do Sul 6,264 6,036 8,487 2 

Paraná 8,102 11,733 4,575 3 

Goiás 3,545 3,704 4,628 4 

Mato Grosso do Sul 12,123 8,860 4,049 5 

São Paulo 3,842 4,001 3,982 6 

Minas Gerais 2,801 2,776 3,367 7 

Bahia 3,917 4,411 2,800 8 

Tocantins 1,565 1,680 2,195 9 

Maranhão 1,707 1,920 2,015 10 

Santa Catarina 888 966 1,294 11 

Piauí 1,776 1,258 801 12 

Pará 883 552 649 13 

Distrito Federal 94 83 143 14 

Rondônia 30 1 51 15 

Others 1,594 168 353

Brazil exports to China 60,596 60,476 53,616

Brazil total exports 82,968 86,100 78,726

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.
48

Top 15 Mato Grosso soybean export destinations, 2020-22

State

2020 2021 2022

% share Rank

metric ton

China 11,465,981 12,325,965 14,226,279 57.4 1

Spain 1,603,747 1,918,123 1,465,110 5.9 2

Netherlands 2,095,566 1,472,851 1,176,168 4.7 3

Turkey 1,336,095 1,276,784 826,619 3.3 4

Russia 353,948 512,512 800,869 3.2 5

Thailand 848,095 818,667 720,269 2.9 6

Algeria 205,340 271,435 648,701 2.6 7

Iran 315,435 337,003 558,501 2.3 8

Mexico 645,568 895,521 529,627 2.1 9

Italy 433,328 580,995 396,602 1.6 10

United Kingdom 362,402 169,873 345,247 1.4 11

Pakistan 341,444 511,298 325,565 1.3 12

Taiwan 164,840 241,475 301,043 1.2 13

Bangladesh 127,125 308,091 306,007 1.2 14

Saudi Arabia 189,440 215,781 268,071 1.1 15

Others 1,837,643 1,909,298 1,870,072 7.6

Mato Grosso total 22,325,999 23,765,673 24,764,750 100.0

2020 2021 2022

MT % share of Brazil exports to China 18.9 20.4 26.5

Brazil exports to China 60,595,851 60,476,116 53,615,702

Brazil total exports 82,968,242 86,100,404 76,726,374

China % share of Brazil total exports 73.0 70.2 68.1

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços. 
49

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

trade to China, accounting for 69 percent of Brazil’s soybean exports to China. The northeastern ports of São 

Luís, Vitória, Salvador, and Barcarena accounted for 31 percent of soybean exports to China in 2022. The Amazon 

River ports of Manaus and Santarém accounted for a small amount of soybean exports to China in 2022.

Total Brazilian soybean exports by port to China, 2020-22

Ports

2020 2021 2022

metric ton

Santos 17,392,177 17,688,345 21,310,999

Paranaguá 13,378,303 10,934,936 8,406,844

São Luís 6,239,866 6,441,382 7,350,074

Rio Grande 8,949,582 11,931,608 4,894,756

Vitória 3,658,272 3,741,690 3,072,298

Subtotal 49,618,200 50,737,962 45,034,973

Others 10,977,651 9,738,154 8,580,729

Total exports to China 60,595,851 60,476,116 53,615,702

Brazil total exports 82,968,242 86,100,404 78,726,374

Ports

2020 2021 2022

% share of exports to China

Santos 28.7 29.2 39.7 

Paranaguá 22.1 18.1 15.7 

São Luís 10.3 10.7 13.7 

Rio Grande 14.8 19.7 9.1 

Vitória 6.0 6.2 5.7 

Subtotal 81.9 83.9 84.0 

Others 18.1 16.1 16.0

Total exports to China 100.0 100.0 100.0 

Ports

2020 2021 2022

% share of Brazil total exports

Santos 21.0 20.5 27.1 

Paranaguá 16.1 12.7 10.7 

São Luís 7.5 7.5 9.3 

Rio Grande 10.8 13.9 6.2 

Vitória 4.4 4.3 3.9 

Subtotal 59.8 58.9 57.2 

Others 13.2 11.3 10.9

Total exports to China 73.0 70.2 68.1 

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.
50

Brazil soybean exports to China by port, 2021-22

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.

0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40.0 45.0

Santos

Paranaguá

São Luís

Rio Grande

Vitória

Salvador

Barcarena/Belém

São Francisco do Sul

Manaus

Santarém

Percentage

2021

2022
51

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 32.2

Santos, São Paulo South Direct Hamburg, Germany 5,683 16.2

Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul South Good Hope Shanghai, China 11,129 33.0

Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul South Panama Canal Shanghai, China 13,564 40.1

Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul South Cape Horn Shanghai, China 11,397 33.2

Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul South Direct Hamburg, Germany 6,204 18.1

Paranaguá, Paraná South Good Hope Shanghai, China 11,111 33.0

Paranaguá, Paraná South Panama Canal Shanghai, China 13,165 39.0

Paranaguá, Paraná South Direct Hamburg, Germany 5,805 17.1

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 32.1

Vitória, Espírito Santo Southeast Panama Canal Shanghai, China 12,587 37.1

Vitória, Espírito Santo Southeast Direct Hamburg, Germany 5,227 15.1

Salvador, Bahia Northeast Good Hope Shanghai, China 10,997 32.2

Salvador, Bahia Northeast Panama Canal Shanghai, China 12,170 36.1

Salvador, Bahia Northeast Direct Hamburg, Germany 4,811 14.1

Aratu, Bahia Northeast Good Hope Shanghai, China 10,997 32.2

Aratu, Bahia Northeast Panama Canal Shanghai, China 12,170 36.1

Aratu, Bahia Northeast Direct Hamburg, Germany 4,811 14.1

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 33.0

Itaquí/Sâo Luís - Ponta de Madeira, 

Maranhão Northeast Direct Hamburg, Germany 4,361 13.0

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 14.2

Manaus, Amazonas North Good Hope Shanghai, China 12,880 38.0

Manaus, Amazonas North Panama Canal Shanghai, China 10,926 32.1

Manaus, Amazonas North Direct Hamburg, Germany 5,283 15.2

 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.

Sources: http://sea-distances.com/ and Ports.com.
52

In 2022, 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 Iran, Thailand, Taiwan, and 

Pakistan. 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, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Mato Grosso do Sul.

Port of Santos soybean exports by country, 2021-22

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.

Port of Santos average monthly soybean exports to China, 2019-22

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.

0 20 40 60 80 100

China

Iran

Thailand

Taiwan

Pakistan

Percentage

2021

2022

0

5

10

15

20

25

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2019-21 0.6 11.3 20.3 19.9 19.0 14.1 7.4 1.8 0.9 0.9 2.0 1.6

2022 2.4 10.8 20.6 17.9 16.1 13.6 6.4 4.0 2.3 2.5 2.1 1.4 Percentage
53

China was the major destination for Brazilian soybeans via the port of Rio Grande, accounting for 86 percent, 

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

Rio Grande peak from April to July. About 94 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: Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, Goiás, and Santa Catarina.

Port of Rio Grande average monthly soybean exports to China, 2019-22

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.

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

export destinations (in descending order) were South Korea, Iran, Thailand, and Pakistan. Typically, soybean 

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

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

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

Port of Paranaguá average monthly soybean exports to China, 2019-22

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2022 9.9 0.0 0.0 3.9 4.7 4.9 14.3 16.7 10.8 18.4 9.7 6.8

2019-21 1.4 0.5 3.2 14.4 15.7 12.3 14.1 12.3 8.7 9.1 4.6 3.5

Percentage

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2019-21 3.1 4.9 12.1 15.1 12.2 10.2 10.9 7.4 7.3 5.7 6.6 4.5

2022 8.4 9.4 15.8 11.1 4.7 8.6 13.9 9.9 5.4 5.4 4.6 2.9

Percentage
54

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

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

Bangladesh. Typically, soybean shipments to China from the Port of São Luís peak from March to July. About 58 

percent of exports of 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, 2019-22

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2019-21 6.1 5.6 13.3 14.1 13.4 12.1 11.4 8.3 6.2 5.1 2.7 1.8

2022 0.1 5.1 16.0 12.5 15.8 14.6 12.2 10.1 4.7 5.1 2.0 1.8 Percentage
55

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.
56

Major rivers of the Amazonian Basin

 Source: National Agency for Waterway Transportation (ANTAQ).

Brazil’s waterways encompass 22, 567 nautical miles, but only 10,531 are commercially navigated.

Brazil waterway system

Extension Nautical miles

Waterways 22,567

Commercial navigations 10,531

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte.
57

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.

Source: Agência Nacional de Transportes Aquaviários (ANTAQ).
58

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
59

Brazilian commercial inland waterways

 Source: Agência Nacional de Transportes Aquavárious.
60

Major Brazilian highways

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte.
61

The Brazilian highway system extends 969,432 miles (1,563,600 kilometers), with nearly 14 percent paved. The 

U.S. highway system consists of 4,194,252 miles (6,749,978 kilometers).

Brazil highway system, 2022

Miles % Paved % Unpaved

Federal 46,113 89 11

State and county 923,319 10 90 

Total (federal + state and county) 969,432

All roads 14 86 

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

U.S. highway system, 2021

Extension1 (in miles) % Share

Rural 2,939,099 70

Urban 1,255,154 30

Total 4,194,252

1

Includes the 50 States, Puerto Rico (data may be incomplete), and the District of Columbia. Please note 

that due to data review and production issues with the 2021 Highway Performance Monitoring System 

Field Manual (HPMS) data, some anomalous and/or missing data may exist.

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics

(Washington, DC: Annual Issues); Highway Statistics, 2021.
62

Brazilian highways

According to the 2022 Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT) survey of the overall highway conditions in 

Brazil, 34 percent of the roads ranged from good to excellent in 2022 (versus 38 percent in that range in 2021). 

The remaining 66 percent ranged from acceptable to very bad. Also, in 2022, 44 percent of the paved roads 

were in good to excellent condition; 39 percent of traffic road signs had problems; and 85 percent of the paved 

roads had only two lanes. The survey sample of paved roads increased by 1 percent from 67,644 miles in 2021 

to 68,406 miles in 2022.

Brazilian highway conditions, 2019-22

Note: Data for 2020 are not available.

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

Brazilian paved highway conditions, 2019-22

Note: Data for 2020 are not available.

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

11.9 9.7 8.5

29.1 28.5 25.5

34.6 38.7 40.7

17.5 16.3 18.8

6.9 6.9 6.5

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2019 2021 2022

Very Bad

Bad

Acceptable

Good

Excellent

34% 41% 38%

59% 62% 66%

38.6 33.2 29.8

9.0 14.6

14.7

35.0 30.6 31.1

13.7 15.8 18.6

3.7 5.8 5.8

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2019 2021 2022

Very Bad

Bad

Acceptable

Good

Excellent

56%

44%

52%

48%

52%

48%
63

Brazilian road sign conditions, 2019-22

Note: Data for 2020 are not available.

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

14.0 12.7 12.1

37.9

28.4 27.2

26.1

34.1 36.9

11.6 14.0 13.6

10.4 10.8 10.2

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2019 2021 2022

Very Bad

Bad

Acceptable

Good

Excellent

41%

61%

39%

48%

52%

59%
64

Brazilian railway expansion: ongoing projects

The Brazilian railroad system consists of 13 railroads, with an extension of 19,047 miles (30,653 km), mostly 

concentrated in the South, Southeast, and Northeast. 

Source: Agência Nacional de Transportes Terrestres (ANTT).
65

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 Ministry of 

Infrastructure 2023.
66

Reference Material

Quarterly costs of transporting U.S. soybeans to Hamburg, Germany, via U.S. Gulf, 2022

Minneapolis, Minnesota (US$/mt)

2022

1st qtr.

2022

2nd qtr.

2022

3rd qtr.

2022

4th qtr.

2022

Average

Truck 16.67 23.40 19.07 16.31 18.86

Rail1 38.04 - - - 38.04

Barge2 29.07 44.56 46.33 94.50 53.62

Ocean3 25.88 33.35 32.08 29.17 30.12

Total transportation 109.66 101.31 97.48 139.98 112.11

Farm price4 527.88 589.12 531.56 509.51 539.52

Landed cost5 637.54 690.43 629.04 649.49 651.63

Transport % of landed cost 17.2 14.7 15.5 21.6 17.2

Davenport, Iowa (US$/mt)

2022

1st qtr.

2022

2nd qtr.

2022

3rd qtr.

2022

4th qtr.

2022

Average

Truck 16.67 23.40 19.07 16.31 18.86

Rail1 34.81 - - - 34.81

Barge2 29.07 34.72 36.95 78.46 44.80

Ocean3 25.88 33.35 32.08 29.17 30.12

Total transportation 106.43 91.47 88.10 123.94 102.49

Farm price4 519.31 581.78 551.16 515.64 541.97

Landed cost5 625.74 673.25 639.26 639.58 644.46

Transport % of landed cost 17.0 13.6 13.8 19.4 15.9

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

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.
67

Quarterly costs of transporting U.S. soybeans to Shanghai, China, via U.S. Gulf, 2022

Minneapolis, Minnesota (US$/mt)

2022

1st qtr.

2022

2nd qtr.

2022

3rd qtr.

2022

4th qtr.

2022

Average

Truck 16.67 23.40 19.07 16.31 18.86

Rail1 38.04 - - - 38.04

Barge2 29.07 44.56 46.33 94.50 53.62

Ocean3 68.22 78.81 63.87 58.11 67.25

Total transportation 152.00 146.77 129.27 168.92 149.24

Farm price4 527.88 589.12 531.56 509.51 539.52

Landed cost5 679.88 735.89 660.83 678.43 688.76

Transport % of landed cost 22.4 19.9 19.6 24.9 21.7

Davenport, Iowa (US$/mt)

2022

1st qtr.

2022

2nd qtr.

2022

3rd qtr.

2022

4th qtr.

2022

Average

Truck 16.67 23.40 19.07 16.31 18.86

Rail1 34.81 - - - 34.81

Barge2 29.07 34.72 36.95 78.46 44.80

Ocean3 68.22 78.81 63.87 58.11 67.25

Total transportation 148.77 136.93 119.89 152.88 139.62

Farm price4 519.31 581.78 551.16 515.64 541.97

Landed cost5 668.08 718.71 671.05 668.52 681.59

Transport % of landed cost 22.3 19.1 17.9 22.9 20.5

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.
68

Quarterly costs of transporting U.S. soybeans to Shanghai, China, via PNW, 2022

Fargo, North Dakota (US$/mt)

2022

1st qtr.

2022

2nd qtr.

2022

3rd qtr.

2022

4th qtr.

2022

Average

Truck 16.67 23.40 19.07 16.31 18.86

Rail1 59.09 59.09 68.96 69.00 64.04

Ocean2 37.68 44.65 37.41 33.53 38.32

Total transportation 113.44 127.14 125.44 118.84 121.22

Farm price3 516.88 574.43 521.76 500.94 528.50

Landed cost4 630.32 701.57 647.20 619.78 649.72

Transport % of landed cost 18.0 18.1 19.4 19.2 18.7

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (US$/mt)

2022

1st qtr.

2022

2nd qtr.

2022

3rd qtr.

2022

4th qtr.

2022

Average

Truck 16.67 23.40 19.07 16.31 18.86

Rail1 60.08 60.08 71.06 70.86 65.52

Ocean2 37.68 44.65 37.41 33.53 38.32

Total transportation 114.43 128.13 127.54 120.70 122.70

Farm price3 531.36 580.55 537.68 516.86 541.61

Landed cost4 645.79 708.68 665.22 637.56 664.31

Transport % of landed cost 17.7 18.1 19.2 18.9 18.5

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.
69

Average quarterly exchange rate, 2015-22

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

Quarter Real per US$

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

1st 5.2234

2nd 4.9260

3rd 5.2456

4th 5.2548

2022 Average 5.1624

Source:Banco Central do Brasil
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Selected quarterly Brazilian farm prices, 2017-22 (US$/metric ton)

Quarter Rio Grande 

do Sul

Mato 

Grosso Goiás Paraná Piauí Pará Maranhão

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

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

1st 604.37 550.71 553.47 584.53 543.56 587.96 558.85

2nd 617.87 566.29 565.92 598.83 585.80 615.15 591.24

3rd 552.66 514.98 513.50 539.82 529.04 557.88 545.43

4th 544.28 515.89 511.31 533.81 510.35 548.17 537.00

2022 Avg 579.79 536.97 536.05 564.25 542.19 577.29 558.13

Source: Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB) www.conab.gov.br
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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