Brazil Soybean Transportation

A quarterly publication of the Agricultural Marketing Service 

www.ams.usda.gov/services/transportation-analysis

 2020 Overview 

Published March 2, 2021

Overview of Brazilian Soybean Transportation in 2020

In 2020, Brazil exported nearly 83 million metric tons (mmt) of soybeans, 12 percent more than 2019’s total 

of 74.1 mmt—an increase that also raised transportation demand (Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia).1 

The cost of shipping a metric ton (mt) of soybeans 100 miles by truck decreased from $7.19 per mt in 2019 

to $5.49 per mt in 2020 (table 8). This 24-percent drop was mostly due to the Brazilian real’s (R$) steep 

depreciation against the U.S. dollar—31 percent year to year, from R$3.94 per U.S. dollar to R$5.15 per U.S. 

dollar (Brazil Central Bank). Truck rates also declined because of the completion of the paving of BR 163 

highway, connecting Sorriso, Mato Grosso, to the Port of Miritituba, Pará, on the Tapajos River. With this 

improved route, the time to complete the trip shrank, along with the costs of fuel and truck maintenance. 

According to the Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB), exporting grain and oilseeds via the BR 

163 highway to the “Northern Arc” ports is no longer considered just an alternative to Brazil’s southern ports. 

Rather, the BR 163 route has become key to accommodating central Brazil’s ever-expanding grain and oilseed 

production. Still, Brazil continues to depend heavily on trucks to transport grain to major destinations. This 

dependence is ensured for some time, because of the long distances between major production regions and 

terminals for barge and rail, as well as limited rail and inland waterway infrastructure capacity (ESALQ/USP).2

1 In this report, the source of Brazil export data is the Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

2 In Brazil, short-haul movements’ average distance is about 440 miles (707 kilometers (km)) from the farm to rail and barge terminals (ESALQ/

USP). In the United States, the average distance from farm to inland elevators grain elevators terminals is about 25-100 miles (GTOR).

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

Mode Brazil United States

Total

Truck 67 47

Rail 24 23

Barge 9 29

Exports

Truck 49 16

Rail 38 30

Barge 13 54

Domestic

Truck 97 81

Rail 1 16

Barge 2 3

Figure 1. U.S.-Brazil soybeans modal share for exports, 2019, percent*

Note: Brazil data compiled from the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT); National Land Transport Agency (ANTAQ), Comex-Vis, Ministry of Economy, and National Supply Company (CONAB). 

U.S. 2016 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,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
2

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Figure 1 shows that of Brazil’s soybeans shipped to major export facilities in 2019, the largest share (49 

percent) went by truck, followed by rail (38 percent) and barge (13 percent). Broken down by shares shipped 

from the farm to major destinations in 2019, most of Brazil’s soybeans (67 percent of total movements) again 

went by truck, followed by rail (24 percent) and barge (9 percent). In contrast, in the United States, barges 

shipped most soybeans to major export facilities, representing 54 percent of total soybeans exported in 2016, 

followed by rail (30 percent), and truck (16 percent) (USDA/AMS).

In the State of Mato Grosso, 2020 truck rates in reais increased 1 percent from Sorriso to Rondonópolis (rail 

terminal), while rates to the northern river port of Miritituba (barge terminal) decreased nearly 12 percent. 

Rail rates in reais from Rondonópolis to the southern port of Santos increased 4 percent. On average, ocean 

rates were relatively stable, declining 1-2 percent. However, from the southern ports of Santos and Paranaguá, 

2020 ocean rates declined nearly 7 and 5 percent, respectively (tables 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, and 9). The decrease in 

ocean rates resulted partly from the widening global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions 

in South Asia that discouraged shipyards from scrapping. The reduced demolition of older ships increased the 

vessel supply and further softened rates (Grain Transportation Report (GTR, January 21, 2021). 

From 2019-20, lower transportation costs and higher farm prices led to a lower cost of transporting Brazilian 

soybeans to Shanghai, China. As a share of total landed costs, the cost decreased 25 percent for the route 

from northern Mato Grosso to the ports of Santos and Santarém (table 1a and 1b) and by 26 percent from 

Barcarena (table 1b). In Mato Grosso, Brazil’s largest soybean-producing State, 2020 transportation costs from 

Sorriso represented 20-21 percent of the total landed costs of shipping soybeans to Shanghai through the Port 

of Santos (table 1a), compared with 34 percent in 2008 and 45 percent in 2006 (Soybean Transportation Guide: 

Brazil 2019). 

Year to year, average Brazilian soybean export prices declined 2 percent, from $352 per mt to $344 per mt. 

Brazilian farmers have benefitted 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 in 2020 increased 16 percent, from $297.97/mt to $346.55/mt year to year. The depreciation 

of the real also led to higher domestic prices. On average, in reais, 2020 farm gate prices increased 53 percent, 

from R$1,175.84/mt to R$1,796.88 (CONAB). Typically, Brazilian soybean exports peak in May and decline 

through the end of the year.

In 2020, Brazil exported 60.6 mmt of soybeans to China, valued at $20.9 billion, nearly 5 percent more than 

2019’s total (58 mmt), accounting for 73 percent of Brazil’s total exports (83 mmt). The next highest shares of 

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

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

and São Francisco do Sul. These six ports accounted for nearly 81 percent of Brazil’s total exports. 

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

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

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

Amazon River ports of Manaus and Santarém accounted for 0.2 percent of soybean exports to China in 2020. 
3

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Historically, the U.S. Gulf ports have lost less time from loading delays and vessel backups than Brazilian ports. 

However, during the 2019 peak harvest season, loading delays and vessel backups were similar in Brazilian 

ports and the U.S. Gulf, averaging 3-10 days—narrowing the edge the U.S. Gulf had over Brazilian ports in 

total shipping time. Seasonally, Brazil’s northern ports had lower loading delays and vessel backups than the 

southern ports of Santos and Paranaguá. Barcarena had vessel loading delays of 3-4 days, compared with the 

ports of Santos and Paranaguá, which nearly offset the roughly 3-days-longer voyage distance to Shanghai. 

In 2020, the ocean freight spread was about $3-$4/mt for routes from the northeastern ports of Barcarena 

($34.96/mt) and São Luís ($34.02/mt) to Shanghai and the route from the Port of Santos ($31.40) to Shanghai. 

Ocean freight spread is the cost difference between two vessel routes to the same destination. For more 

information, contact Delmy L. Salin at delmy.salin@usda.gov.

Table 1a. Costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports to Shanghai, China

2019 2020 % Change 

2019-20

2019 2020 % Change 

2019-20

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 79.28 60.65 -23.5 25.06 19.24 -23.2

Ocean 33.65 31.40 -6.7 33.94 32.90 -3.1

Total transportation 112.92 92.04 -18.5 58.99 52.13 -11.6

Farm gate price3 285.35 357.23 25.2 305.56 354.57 16.0

Landed cost 398.28 449.27 12.8 364.56 406.70 11.6

Transport % of landed cost 28.4 21.2 -25.2 16.2 13.1 -18.7

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

South GO1 - Santos2

—US$/mt—

Truck 27.62 21.47 -22.3 37.34 28.48 -23.7

Rail4 39.98 32.13 -19.6 - - -

Ocean 33.65 31.40 -6.7 33.65 31.40 -6.7

Total transportation 101.25 85.00 -16.1 70.98 59.88 -15.6

Farm gate price3 285.35 357.23 25.2 291.46 331.01 13.6

Landed cost 386.60 442.22 14.4 362.45 390.88 7.8

Transport % of landed cost 26.2 19.9 -23.8 19.6 15.8 -19.3

1

Producing regions: MT= Mato Grosso, RS = Rio Grande Do Sul, 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 public/official rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 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.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
4

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 1b. Costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the northern and northeastern ports to 

Shanghai, China

2019 2020 % Change 

2019-20

2019 2020 % Change 

2019-20

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 52.04 39.20 -24.7 32.99 26.83 -18.7

Ocean 35.06 33.66 -4.0 34.81 34.02 -2.3

Total transportation 87.10 72.86 -16.4 67.80 60.85 -10.2

Farm gate price3 285.35 357.23 25.2 297.05 353.30 18.9

Landed cost 372.45 430.08 15.5 364.85 414.15 13.5

Transport % of landed cost 23.4 17.6 -24.9 18.6 15.0 -19.1

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

Truck 39.34 29.81 -24.2 46.64 31.72 -32.0

Barge4 - - - 15.33 11.94 -22.1

Ocean 34.81 34.02 -2.3 34.96 34.96 0.0

Total transportation 74.15 63.83 -13.9 96.93 78.61 -18.9

Farm gate price3 295.87 342.39 15.7 285.35 357.23 25.2

Landed cost 370.02 406.23 9.8 382.29 435.84 14.0

Transport % of landed cost 20.9 16.0 -23.2 25.4 18.7 -26.2

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 public/official barge rates. Barge rates can be up to 60 percent lower than truck rates, depending on volumes hauled and 

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

Note: mt = metric ton.

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

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 2a. Costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports to Hamburg, Germany

2019 2020 % Change 

2019-20

2019 2020 % Change 

2019-20

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 79.28 60.65 -23.5 25.06 19.24 -23.2

Ocean 25.63 24.75 -3.4 25.63 25.13 -2.0

Total transportation 104.90 85.40 -18.6 50.68 44.36 -12.5

Farm gate price3 285.35 357.23 25.2 305.56 354.57 16.0

Landed cost 390.25 442.62 13.4 356.25 398.93 12.0

Transport % of landed cost 26.9 20.0 -25.5 14.2 11.4 -19.7

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

South GO1 - Santos2

—US$/mt—

Truck 27.62 21.47 -22.3 37.34 28.48 -23.7

Rail4 39.98 32.13 -19.6 - - -

Ocean 25.63 24.75 -3.4 25.63 24.75 -3.4

Total transportation 93.23 78.35 -16.0 62.96 53.23 -15.5

Farm gate price3 285.35 357.23 25.2 291.46 331.01 13.6

Landed cost 378.58 435.58 15.1 354.42 384.24 8.4

Transport % of landed cost 24.6 18.7 -24.0 17.8 14.3 -19.3

1

Producing regions: MT= Mato Grosso, RS = Rio Grande Do Sul, 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 public/official rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 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.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
6

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 2b. Costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the northern and northeastern ports to 

Hamburg, Germany

2019 2020 % Change 

2019-20

2019 2020 % Change 

2019-20

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 52.04 39.20 -24.7 32.99 26.83 -18.7

Ocean 23.42 20.94 -10.6 20.34 22.76 11.9

Total transportation 75.45 60.14 -20.3 53.33 49.59 -7.0

Farm gate price3 285.35 357.23 25.2 297.05 353.30 18.9

Landed cost 360.81 417.37 15.7 350.38 402.89 15.0

Transport % of landed cost 20.9 15.0 -28.3 15.2 12.6 -17.4

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mt--

Truck 39.34 29.81 -24.2 46.64 31.72 -32.0

Barge4 - - - 15.33 11.94 -22.1

Ocean 20.34 22.76 11.9 21.16 20.31 -4.0

Total transportation 59.68 52.58 -11.9 83.13 63.97 -23.0

Farm gate price3 295.87 342.39 15.7 285.35 357.23 25.2

Landed cost 355.55 394.97 11.1 368.48 421.19 14.3

Transport % of landed cost 16.8 13.6 -19.3 22.6 15.2 -32.7

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

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

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

Note: mt = metric ton.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
7

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Indicators

Figure 2. Routes1 and regions considered in the Brazilian soybean export transportation indicator2

1

Table defining routes by number is shown on page 12.

2

Regions comprised about 81 percent of Brazilian soybean production, 2018 (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics—Produção Agricola 

Municipal).

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
8

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 3. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Shanghai, China

—2020—

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 68.33 59.53 60.52 54.20 60.65 67.48 58.03 60.22 53.74 59.87

Ocean 35.50 27.08 31.33 31.67 31.40 37.25 28.83 33.08 33.42 33.15

Total transportation 103.83 86.61 91.85 85.87 92.04 104.73 86.86 93.30 87.16 93.01

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 367.89 490.89 357.23 282.59 287.53 367.89 490.89 357.23

Landed cost 386.43 374.13 459.74 576.76 449.27 387.32 374.39 461.19 578.05 450.24

Transport % of landed cost 26.9 23.1 20.0 14.9 21.2 27.0 23.2 20.2 15.1 21.4

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 24.79 21.82 21.47 17.80 21.47 22.92 19.03 18.84 16.16 19.24

Rail4 37.73 30.58 31.02 29.20 32.13 - - - - -

Ocean 35.50 27.08 31.33 31.67 31.40 37.00 28.58 32.83 33.17 32.90

Total transportation 98.02 79.48 83.82 78.67 85.00 59.92 47.61 51.67 49.33 52.13

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 367.89 490.89 357.23 300.04 297.17 367.58 453.49 354.57

Landed cost 380.61 367.00 451.71 569.57 442.22 359.97 344.78 419.26 502.82 406.70

Transport % of landed cost 25.8 21.7 18.6 13.8 19.9 16.6 13.8 12.3 9.8 13.1

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 public/official rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on volumes hauled and 

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

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

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

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 4. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Hamburg, Germany

—2020—

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 68.33 59.53 60.52 54.20 60.65 67.48 58.03 60.22 53.74 59.87

Ocean 29.25 20.50 24.00 25.25 24.75 30.00 21.50 25.00 25.35 25.46

Total transportation 97.58 80.03 84.52 79.45 85.40 97.48 79.53 85.22 79.09 85.33

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 367.89 490.89 357.23 282.59 287.53 367.89 490.89 357.23

Landed cost 380.18 367.55 452.41 570.34 442.62 380.07 367.06 453.11 569.98 442.56

Transport % of landed cost 25.7 21.8 18.7 13.9 20.0 25.6 21.7 18.8 13.9 20.0

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 24.79 21.82 21.47 17.80 21.47 22.92 19.03 18.84 16.16 19.24

Rail4 37.73 30.58 31.02 29.20 32.13 - - - - -

Ocean 29.25 20.50 24.00 25.25 24.75 29.50 20.75 24.50 25.75 25.13

Total transportation 91.77 72.90 76.49 72.25 78.35 52.42 39.78 43.34 41.91 44.36

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 367.89 490.89 357.23 300.04 297.17 367.58 453.49 354.57

Landed cost 374.36 360.42 444.38 563.15 435.58 352.47 336.95 410.93 495.40 398.93

Transport % of landed cost 24.5 20.2 17.2 12.8 18.7 14.9 11.8 10.5 8.5 11.4

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 public/official rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on volumes hauled and 

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

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

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

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 5. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

northern and northeastern ports to Shanghai, China

—2020—

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 44.10 38.23 41.03 33.44 39.20 28.86 27.02 27.62 23.82 26.83

Ocean 36.50 28.08 34.83 35.21 33.66 36.75 28.33 35.33 35.67 34.02

Total transportation 80.60 66.31 75.86 68.65 72.86 65.61 55.35 62.95 59.49 60.85

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 367.89 490.89 357.23 300.23 294.95 359.63 458.37 353.30

Landed cost 363.20 353.84 443.75 559.54 430.08 365.83 350.31 422.58 517.86 414.15

Transport % of landed cost 22.2 18.7 17.1 12.3 17.6 17.9 15.8 14.9 11.5 15.0

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mtTruck 32.49 29.98 31.84 24.94 29.81 37.11 33.27 30.89 25.60 31.72

Barge4 - - - - - 13.35 11.68 11.75 10.97 11.94

Ocean 36.75 28.33 35.33 35.67 34.02 38.50 28.33 36.33 36.67 34.96

Total transportation 69.24 58.31 67.17 60.61 63.83 88.96 73.28 78.97 73.24 78.61

Farm gate price3 302.03 286.59 344.92 436.03 342.39 282.59 287.53 367.89 490.89 357.23

Landed cost 371.27 344.90 412.10 496.64 406.23 371.56 360.80 446.86 564.14 435.84

Transport % of landed cost 18.6 16.9 16.3 12.2 16.0 23.9 20.3 17.7 13.0 18.7

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

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

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

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

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
11

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 6. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

northern and northeastern ports to Hamburg, Germany

—2020—

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 44.10 38.23 41.03 33.44 39.20 28.86 27.02 27.62 23.82 26.83

Ocean 25.00 16.00 20.75 22.00 20.94 22.25 17.50 25.00 26.30 22.76

Total transportation 69.10 54.23 61.78 55.44 60.14 51.11 44.52 52.62 50.12 49.59

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 367.89 490.89 357.23 300.23 294.95 359.63 458.37 353.30

Landed cost 351.70 341.76 429.67 546.33 417.37 351.33 339.48 412.25 508.49 402.89

Transport % of landed cost 19.6 15.9 14.4 10.1 15.0 14.5 13.1 12.8 9.9 12.6

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mtTruck 32.49 29.98 31.84 24.94 29.81 37.11 33.27 30.89 25.60 31.72

Barge4 - - - - - 13.35 11.68 11.75 10.97 11.94

Ocean 22.25 17.50 25.00 26.30 22.76 24.00 15.00 20.50 21.75 20.31

Total transportation 54.74 47.48 56.84 51.24 52.58 74.46 59.95 63.14 58.32 63.97

Farm gate price3 302.03 286.59 344.92 436.03 342.39 282.59 287.53 367.89 490.89 357.23

Landed cost 356.77 334.07 401.77 487.27 394.97 357.06 347.47 431.03 549.22 421.19

Transport % of landed cost 15.3 14.2 14.1 10.5 13.6 20.9 17.3 14.6 10.6 15.8

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

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

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

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

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
12

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 7. Quarterly truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2020

Route 

#

Origin1 

(reference city)

Destination

Distance 

(miles)2

Share 

(%)3

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

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

1 Northwest RS5 (Cruz Alta) Rio Grande 288 11.3 7.96 6.61 6.54 5.61 6.68

2 North MT (Sorriso) Santos 1,190 3.0 5.74 5.00 5.09 4.55 5.10

3 North MT (Sorriso) Paranaguá 1,262 2.9 5.35 4.60 4.77 4.26 4.74

4 South GO (Rio Verde) Santos 587 4.8 5.54 5.07 4.78 4.02 4.85

5 South GO (Rio Verde) Paranaguá 726 3.9 5.60 4.87 4.90 4.25 4.91

6 North Central PR (Londrina) Paranaguá 268 3.2 8.00 6.90 6.70 5.45 6.76

7 Western Central PR (Mamborê) Paranaguá 311 2.4 7.22 6.37 6.33 5.14 6.26

8 Triangle MG (Uberaba) Santos 339 3.0 7.66 6.90 6.43 5.30 6.57

9 West PR (Assis Chateaubriand) Paranaguá 377 2.3 6.71 5.75 5.71 4.69 5.71

10 West Extreme BA (São Desidério) Salvador 535 6.6 5.97 5.62 5.69 4.92 5.55

11 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Santos 901 2.4 5.26 4.64 4.58 3.97 4.61

12 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Paranaguá 975 2.2 5.05 4.36 4.54 3.96 4.48

13 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Paranaguá 612 3.5 5.99 5.21 5.11 4.39 5.18

14 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Santos 652 3.2 5.82 5.10 5.04 4.33 5.07

15 West PR (Assis Chateaubriand) Santos 550 1.6 5.94 5.11 5.07 4.38 5.12

16 East GO (Cristalina) Santos 585 1.9 6.35 5.73 5.60 4.76 5.61

17 North PR (Cornélio Procópio) Paranaguá 306 1.8 6.46 5.56 5.64 4.35 5.50

18 Eastern Central PR (Castro) Paranaguá 130 2.0 10.54 8.84 8.49 6.68 8.64

19 South Central PR (Guarapuava) Paranaguá 204 2.3 9.63 8.21 8.06 6.49 8.10

20 North Central MS (São Gabriel do Oeste) Santos 720 2.4 5.06 4.38 4.43 3.79 4.42

21 Ribeirão Preto SP (Guairá) Santos 314 0.0 6.40 5.50 5.23 4.24 5.34

22 Northeast MT (Canarana) Santos 950 3.3 5.55 4.80 4.60 4.10 4.76

23 East MS (Chapadão do Sul) Santos 607 0.0 5.08 4.48 4.45 3.72 4.43

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 the 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

In Brazil, there are no public/official 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. 

7

In Brazil, there are no public/official 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.

-continued on page 13-
13

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 7. Quarterly truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2020

Route 

#

Origin1 

(reference city)

Destination

Distance 

(miles)2

Share 

(%)3

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

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

24 Northeast MT (Canarana) Paranaguá 1,075 2.9 5.34 4.61 4.56 4.08 4.65

25 Western Central RS (Tupanciretã) Rio Grande 273 2.5 7.10 5.85 5.97 4.83 5.94

26 Southwest PR(Chopinzinho) Paranaguá 291 1.7 7.57 6.65 6.63 5.59 6.61

27 North MT (Sorriso) Itaituba 672 5.4 5.52 4.95 4.60 3.81 4.72

28 North MT (Sorriso) Porto Velho 632 5.7 5.22 4.45 4.54 3.91 4.53

29 North MT (Sorriso) Santarém 876 4.1 5.03 4.36 4.68 3.82 4.47

30 South MA (Balsas) São Luís 482 2.1 5.99 5.61 5.74 4.95 5.57

31 Southwest PI (Bom Jesus) São Luís 606 2.6 5.36 4.95 5.26 4.12 4.92

32 Southeast PA (Paragominas) Barcarena 249 1.5 7.17 6.61 5.90 4.80 6.12

33 East TO (Campos Lindos) São Luís 842 1.6 5.04 4.40 4.69 3.79 4.48

Weighted average 587 100.0 6.33 5.52 5.48 4.62 5.49

34 North MT (Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 6.49 5.71 5.62 4.66 5.62

35 Rondonópolis MT (Rail terminal)

6 Santos 1,019 3.70 3.00 3.04 2.87 3.15

36 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)7 Santarém 153 4.73 4.23 3.92 3.47 4.09

37 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)7 Barcarena 600 2.23 1.95 1.96 1.83 1.99

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 the 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

In Brazil, there are no public/official 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. 

7

In Brazil, there are no public/official 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.
14

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 8. Monthly Brazilian soybean export truck transportation cost index

Month Freight price

(US$/mt/100 miles)

Index variation (%) 

(Base: prior month)

Index value 

(Base: Jan-05=100) Month Freight price(US$/mt/100 miles) 

Index variation (%) 

(Base: prior month)

Index value 

(Base: Jan-05=100)

Jan-13 10.11 3.9 174.31 Jan-17 7.32 33.8 126.20

Feb-13 10.79 6.7 185.96 Feb-17 9.85 34.6 169.85

Mar-13 11.14 3.3 192.04 Mar-17 10.38 5.3 178.90

Apr-13 10.95 -1.7 188.71 Apr-17 9.52 -8.3 164.05

May-13 10.40 -5.0 179.31 May-17 8.75 -8.0 150.90

Jun-13 9.49 -8.8 163.61 Jun-17 8.18 -6.5 141.04

Jul-13 9.65 1.7 166.41 Jul-17 8.74 6.8 150.66

Aug-13 9.80 1.5 168.95 Aug-17 9.85 12.7 169.76

Sep-13 10.21 4.2 176.02 Sep-17 8.97 -9.0 154.55

Oct-13 10.17 -0.4 175.28 Oct-17 8.64 -3.6 148.93

Nov-13 9.29 -8.6 160.18 Nov-17 8.36 -3.2 144.11

Dec-13 8.91 -4.1 153.63 Dec-17 7.23 -13.5 124.63

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Weighted average. 

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

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Figure 3. Truck rates for selected southern Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2017-20

$0

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

$7

$8

$9

$10

$11

$12

$13

$14

01/1704/1707/1710/1701/1804/1807/1810/1801/1904/1907/1910/1901/2004/2007/2010/20

US$/mt /100 miles

Western Central PR to Paranaguá

Southwest MS to Paranaguá

North MT to Paranaguá

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.

Figure 4. Truck rates for selected north, south, and northeastern Brazilian soybean 

export transportation routes, 2017-20

$0

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

$7

$8

$9

$10

$11

$12

Jan-17

Apr-17

Jul-17

Oct-17

Jan-18

Apr-18

Jul-18

Oct-18

Jan-19

Apr-19

Jul-19

Oct-19

Jan-20

Apr-20

Jul-20

Oct-20

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

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.
16

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Figure 5. Brazilian soybean export truck transportation weighted average prices, 2017-20

$0

$2

$4

$6

$8

$10

$12

Jan-17

Apr-17

Jul-17

Oct-17

Jan-18

Apr-18

Jul-18

Oct-18

Jan-19

Apr-19

Jul-19

Oct-19

Jan-20

Apr-20

Jul-20

Oct-20

US$/mt/100 miles

Note: mt = metric ton.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
17

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 9. Quarterly ocean freight rates for shipping soybeans from selected Brazilian ports to 

Germany and China (US$/metric ton)*

Port Destination 1st qtr. 2015 2nd qtr. 2015 3rd qtr. 2015 4th qtr. 2015

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 21.00 19.00 17.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 21.00 19.00 17.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 21.00 19.00 17.00

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 20.00 14.50 13.50 20.00

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 20.00 18.25 16.38 20.50

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 20.00 16.00 15.20 21.00

Santos China (Shanghai) 29.50 22.50 23.25 20.00

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 31.50 23.50 24.18 20.50

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 29.50 25.00 25.75 21.00

Santarém China (Shanghai) 32.00 25.00 25.75 23.50

São Luís China (Shanghai) 32.00 25.00 25.75 23.50

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 32.00 25.00 25.75 23.50

Port Destination 1st qtr. 2016 2nd qtr. 2016 3rd qtr. 2016 4th qtr. 2016

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 16.00 17.00 16.50 23.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 16.00 17.00 16.50 24.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 16.00 17.00 16.50 23.00

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 11.03 14.13 15.00 19.80

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 8.25 11.00 11.80 15.80

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 9.60 12.45 13.20 17.35

Santos China (Shanghai) 17.50 16.50 12.50 20.00

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 18.00 18.50 14.50 21.50

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 18.50 17.00 13.00 20.50

Santarém China (Shanghai) 22.00 21.00 19.40 23.75

São Luís China (Shanghai) 20.00 18.40 17.50 22.00

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 22.50 21.50 20.00 23.75

Port Destination 1st qtr. 2017 2nd qtr. 2017 3rd qtr. 2017 4th qtr. 2017

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 24.00 26.00 27.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 25.00 27.00 28.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 25.00 27.00 28.00

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 23.60 25.00 26.00

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 17.60 20.00 21.20 22.00

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 18.00 20.60 21.80 22.70

Santos China (Shanghai) 18.50 29.00 30.00 30.00

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 20.50 30.50 31.00 31.50

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 18.00 29.50 31.00 30.70

Santarém China (Shanghai) 24.00 33.50 31.00 34.50

São Luís China (Shanghai) 23.50 30.25 31.00 33.50

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 24.00 33.50 31.00 34.50

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

the shipped volume. 

Note: qtr. = quarter.

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

-continued on page 18-
18

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 9. Quarterly ocean freight rates for shipping soybeans from selected Brazilian ports to 

Germany and China (US$/metric ton)*

Port Destination 1st qtr. 2018 2nd qtr. 2018 3rd qtr. 2018 4th qtr. 2018

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 27.00 25.00 24.00 25.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 28.00 26.00 25.00 26.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 28.00 26.00 25.00 26.00

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 25.00 22.90 22.50 23.00

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 19.10 18.50 19.00

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 20.90 20.20 20.00

Santos China (Shanghai) 32.50 31.00 27.75 30.00

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 32.00 32.00 28.75 31.00

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 33.00 31.50 28.25 31.50

Santarém China (Shanghai) 38.50 35.50 31.25 34.00

São Luís China (Shanghai) 37.00 34.80 30.75 33.00

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 37.50 33.80 32.25 35.00

Port Destination 1st qtr. 2019 2nd qtr. 2019 3rd qtr. 2019 4th qtr. 2019

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 21.50 27.00 31.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 21.25 27.00 30.75

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 21.25 27.00 31.25

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 20.25 25.92 26.50

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 18.00 17.10 22.77 23.50

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 19.00 17.85 23.52 24.25

Santos China (Shanghai) 32.25 30.92 33.25 38.17

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 33.75 31.42 34.75 39.50

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 31.58 30.25 34.25 39.67

Santarém China (Shanghai) 32.25 30.58 38.25 39.17

São Luís China (Shanghai) 31.00 30.58 38.25 39.42

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 32.25 29.92 38.25 39.42

Port Destination 1st qtr. 2020 2nd qtr. 2020 3rd qtr. 2020 4th qtr. 2020

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 29.25 20.50 24.00 25.25

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 30.00 21.50 25.00 25.35

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 29.50 20.75 24.50 25.75

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 25.00 16.00 20.75 22.00

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 22.25 17.50 25.00 26.30

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 24.00 15.00 20.50 21.75

Santos China (Shanghai) 35.50 27.08 31.33 31.67

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 37.25 28.83 33.08 33.42

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 37.00 28.58 32.83 33.17

Santarém China (Shanghai) 36.50 28.08 34.83 35.21

São Luís China (Shanghai) 36.75 28.33 35.33 35.67

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 38.50 28.33 36.33 36.67

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

the shipped volume. 

Note: qtr. = quarter.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
19

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Contact Information:

Delmy L. Salin

Senior Economist, Project Manager

delmy.salin@usda.gov

202.720.0833

Jessica Ladd

Visual Information Specialist

jessica.ladd@usda.gov

202.720.6494

Data Sets (XLS files):

• Figure 3. Truck rates for selected southern Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2017-20

• Figure 4. Truck rates for selected north, south, and northeastern Brazilian soybean export 

transportation routes, 2017-20

• Figure 5. Brazilian soybean export truck transportation weighted average prices, 2017-20

• Table 1a. Costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports to Shanghai, China

• Table 1b. Costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the northern and northeastern ports to 

Shanghai, China

• Table 2a. Costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports to Hamburg, Germany

• Table 2b. Costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the northern and northeastern ports to 

Hamburg, Germany

• Table 3. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports to Shanghai, China

• Table 4. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports to Hamburg, 

Germany

• Table 5. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the northern and northeastern ports 

to Shanghai, China

• Table 6. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the northern and northeastern ports 

to Hamburg, Germany

• Table 7. Quarterly truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2020

• Table 8. Monthly Brazilian soybean export truck transportation cost index

• Table 9. Quarterly ocean freight rates for shipping soybeans from selected Brazilian ports to Germany 

and China (US$/metric ton)

Subscription Information: Send relevant information to GTRContactUs@usda.gov for an electronic copy.

Related Websites:

• Soybean Transportation Guide: Brazil 2019 (PDF)

• Prior Articles: Brazil Soybean Transportation

• Related Articles: Grain Transportation Report: November 26, 2020 (PDF)

Preferred Citation:

Salin, Delmy. Brazil Soybean Transportation. March 2021. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing 

Service. Web. <http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS052.03-2021>

Photo Credit: USDA

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