Brazil Soybean Transportation

A quarterly publication of the Agricultural Marketing Service 

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

 Third Quarter 2020 (September, October, November)

Published November 30, 2020

Record Brazilian Soybean Export Season, Weak Currency, and Lower Transportation Costs Lead to Higher 

Domestic Farm Prices

In the first 10 months of 2020, Brazil exported 81.4 million metric tons (mmt) of soybeans, valued at $28 

billion, nearly 10 percent more than last year’s total of 74.1 mmt (fig. 1) (Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia). 

From third quarter 2019 to third quarter 2020 (year to year), the cost of shipping a metric ton (mt) of soybeans 

100 miles by truck decreased from $7.75 per mt to $5.48 per mt (table 8). This 29 percent drop was mostly 

due to the Brazilian real’s (R$) steep depreciation against the U.S. dollar—35 percent year to year, from R$3.97 

per U.S. dollar to R$5.38 per U.S. dollar (Brazil Central Bank). 

Measured in reais, the cost of shipping a metric ton of soybeans decreased by 4 percent year to year. 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, as the length of the trip shrank, along with the 

costs of fuel and truck maintenance. According to the Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB), 

exporting grain via this route 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 production. 

Figure 1. Brazil average monthly soybean exports, 2019-20

Note: Hyphens designate data were unavailable; total may not add exactly due to rounding.

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

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

2019 2.0 5.3 8.5 9.4 10.0 8.6 7.4 5.0 4.6 5.1 4.9 3.3

2020 1.4 4.8 10.9 14.9 14.1 12.7 10.0 5.9 4.3 2.5 - -

Million metric tons

2019 2020
2

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Truck rates in reais from Sorriso to Rondonópolis (rail terminal) and to the northern river port of Miritituba 

(barge terminal) decreased 3-15 percent, respectively, year to year. From the third quarter 2019 to third 

quarter 2020, rail rates in reais from Rondonópolis to the southern port of Santos declined 12 percent. On 

average, ocean rates decreased, except for a nearly 10-percent increase in rates from São Luís to Hamburg 

because of higher Brazilian iron ore exports (tables 1, 1a, 2, 2a, and 9).

Year to year, Brazilian soybean transportation costs to Shanghai, China (as a percentage of total landed costs) 

declined by 33 percent for the route from northern Mato Grosso to Santos (table 1) and declined by 31 percent 

and 22 percent from Santarém and Barcarena, respectively (table 1a). In Sorriso, Mato Grosso—the largest 

Brazilian soybean-producing State—third quarter 2020 transportation costs represented 18-20 percent of the 

total landed costs of shipping soybeans to Shanghai through Santos (table 1), compared with 34 percent in 

2008 and 45 percent in 2006 (Soybean Transportation Guide: Brazil 2019). 

Year to year, average Brazilian soybean export prices increased by 1 percent from $352 per mt to $356 per 

mt (Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia). Brazilian farmers have benefitted from the real’s depreciation 

against the U.S. dollar, because soybeans are priced in U.S. dollars but paid in reais. Measured in U.S. dollars, 

soybean average farm gate prices increased by 19 percent from $295.72/mt to $352.03/mt year to year. The 

depreciation of the real led to higher domestic prices. On average, in reais, third-quarter 2020 farm gate prices 

increased by 61 percent, from R$1,175.07/mt to R$1,894.75 (CONAB). 

Brazilian soybean exports to China increased nearly 13 percent in third quarter of 2020 compared to the third 

quarter 2019. In the first 9 months of 2020, China bought 57.5 mmt of Brazilian soybeans, valued at $19.8 

billion, nearly equaling last year’s total of 57.9 mmt (Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia). 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 (Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia). These six ports accounted for nearly 82 

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 roughly 76 percent of Brazil’s soybean exports to China. The northeastern ports 

of São Luís, Vitória, Salvador, and Barcarena accounted for nearly 24 percent of soybean exports to China. The 

Amazon River ports of Manaus and Santarém accounted for less than 1 percent of soybean exports to China 

(Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia). For more information, contact Delmy L. Salin at delmy.salin@usda.gov.
3

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 1. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Shanghai, China

2019 

3rd qtr.

2020 

3rd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

2019 

3rd qtr.

2020 

3rd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 88.37 60.52 -31.5 26.82 18.84 -29.7

Ocean 33.25 31.33 -5.8 34.25 32.83 -4.1

Total transportation 121.62 91.85 -24.5 61.07 51.67 -15.4

Farm gate price3 286.87 367.89 28.2 304.20 367.58 20.8

Landed cost 408.48 459.74 12.5 365.27 419.26 14.8

Transport % of landed cost 29.8 20.0 -32.9 16.7 12.3 -26.3

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 30.03 21.47 -28.5 87.49 60.22 -31.2

Rail4 48.04 31.02 -35.4 - - -

Ocean 33.25 31.33 -5.8 34.75 32.83 -5.5

Total transportation 111.32 83.82 -24.7 122.24 93.05 -23.9

Farm gate price3 286.87 367.89 28.2 286.87 367.89 28.2

Landed cost 398.19 451.71 13.4 409.10 460.94 12.7

Transport % of landed cost 28.0 18.6 -33.6 29.9 20.2 -32.4

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.

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 1a. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the northern and northeastern 

ports to Shanghai, China

2019 

3rd qtr.

2020 

3rd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

2019 

3rd qtr.

2020 

3rd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 55.66 41.03 -26.3 36.22 27.62 -23.7

Ocean 38.25 34.83 -8.9 38.25 35.33 -7.6

Total transportation 93.91 75.86 -19.2 74.47 62.95 -15.5

Farm gate price3 286.87 367.89 28.2 300.20 359.63 19.8

Landed cost 380.78 443.75 16.5 374.67 422.58 12.8

Transport % of landed cost 24.7 17.1 -30.7 19.9 14.9 -25.0

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

Truck 41.42 31.84 -23.1 49.49 30.89 -37.6

Barge4 - - - 20.63 14.45 -30.0

Ocean 38.25 35.33 -7.6 38.25 36.33 -5.0

Total transportation 79.67 67.17 -15.7 87.74 81.67 -6.9

Farm gate price3 288.35 344.92 19.6 286.87 367.89 28.2

Landed cost 368.03 412.10 12.0 374.61 449.56 20.0

Transport % of landed cost 21.6 16.3 -24.7 23.4 18.2 -22.4

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.

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 2. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Hamburg, Germany

2019 

3rd qtr.

2020 

3rd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

2019 

3rd qtr.

2020 

3rd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 88.37 60.52 -31.5 26.82 18.84 -29.7

Ocean 27.00 24.00 -11.1 27.00 24.50 -9.3

Total transportation 115.37 84.52 -26.7 53.82 43.34 -19.5

Farm gate price3 286.87 367.89 28.2 304.20 367.58 20.8

Landed cost 402.23 452.41 12.5 358.02 410.93 14.8

Transport % of landed cost 28.7 18.7 -34.9 15.0 10.5 -29.8

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 30.03 21.47 -28.5 87.49 60.22 -31.2

Rail4 48.04 31.02 -35.4 - - -

Ocean 27.00 24.00 -11.1 27.00 25.00 -7.4

Total transportation 105.07 76.49 -27.2 114.49 85.22 -25.6

Farm gate price3 286.87 367.89 28.2 286.87 367.89 28.2

Landed cost 391.94 444.38 13.4 401.35 453.11 12.9

Transport % of landed cost 26.8 17.2 -35.8 28.5 18.8 -34.1

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.

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 2a. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the northern and 

northeastern ports to Hamburg, Germany

2019 

3rd qtr.

2020 

3rd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

2019 

3rd qtr.

2020 

3rd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 55.66 41.03 -26.3 36.22 27.62 -23.7

Ocean 25.92 20.75 -19.9 22.77 25.00 9.8

Total transportation 81.58 61.78 -24.3 58.99 52.62 -10.8

Farm gate price3 286.87 367.89 28.2 300.20 359.63 19.8

Landed cost 368.45 429.67 16.6 359.19 412.25 14.8

Transport % of landed cost 22.1 14.4 -35.1 16.4 12.8 -22.3

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mt--

Truck 41.42 31.84 -23.1 49.49 30.89 -37.6

Barge4 - - - 20.63 14.45 -30.0

Ocean 22.77 25.00 9.8 23.52 20.50 -12.8

Total transportation 64.19 56.84 -11.5 93.64 65.84 -29.7

Farm gate price3 288.35 344.92 19.6 286.87 367.89 28.2

Landed cost 352.55 401.77 14.0 380.51 433.73 14.0

Transport % of landed cost 18.2 14.1 -22.3 24.6 15.2 -38.3

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 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.

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 62.79 67.48 58.03 60.22 61.91

Ocean 35.50 27.08 31.33 31.30 37.25 28.83 32.83 32.97

Total transportation 103.83 86.61 91.85 94.10 104.73 86.86 93.05 94.88

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 367.89 312.67 282.59 287.53 367.89 312.67

Landed cost 386.43 374.13 459.74 406.77 387.32 374.39 460.94 407.55

Transport % of landed cost 26.9 23.1 20.0 23.3 27.0 23.2 20.2 23.5

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 24.79 21.82 21.47 22.69 22.92 19.03 18.84 20.26

Rail4 37.73 30.58 31.02 33.11 - - - -

Ocean 35.50 27.08 31.33 31.30 37.00 28.58 32.83 32.80

Total transportation 98.02 79.48 83.82 87.10 59.92 47.61 51.67 53.07

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 367.89 312.67 300.04 297.17 367.58 321.60

Landed cost 380.61 367.00 451.71 399.77 359.97 344.78 419.26 374.67

Transport % of landed cost 25.8 21.7 18.6 22.0 16.6 13.8 12.3 14.3

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 62.79 67.48 58.03 60.22 61.91

Ocean 29.25 20.50 24.00 24.58 30.00 21.50 25.00 25.50

Total transportation 97.58 80.03 84.52 87.38 97.48 79.53 85.22 87.41

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 367.89 312.67 282.59 287.53 367.89 312.67

Landed cost 380.18 367.55 452.41 400.05 380.07 367.06 453.11 400.08

Transport % of landed cost 25.7 21.8 18.7 22.0 25.6 21.7 18.8 22.0

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 24.79 21.82 21.47 22.69 22.92 19.03 18.84 20.26

Rail4 37.73 30.58 31.02 33.11 - - - -

Ocean 29.25 20.50 24.00 24.58 29.50 20.75 24.50 24.92

Total transportation 91.77 72.90 76.49 80.38 52.42 39.78 43.34 45.18

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 367.89 312.67 300.04 297.17 367.58 321.60

Landed cost 374.36 360.42 444.38 393.05 352.47 336.95 410.93 366.78

Transport % of landed cost 24.5 20.2 17.2 20.7 14.9 11.8 10.5 12.4

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 41.12 28.86 27.02 27.62 27.83

Ocean 36.50 28.08 34.83 33.14 36.75 28.33 35.33 33.47

Total transportation 80.60 66.31 75.86 74.26 65.61 55.35 62.95 61.30

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 367.89 312.67 300.23 294.95 359.63 318.27

Landed cost 363.20 353.84 443.75 386.93 365.83 350.31 422.58 379.57

Transport % of landed cost 22.2 18.7 17.1 19.3 17.9 15.8 14.9 16.2

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mtTruck 32.49 29.98 31.84 31.44 37.11 33.27 30.89 33.75

Barge4 - - - - 16.42 14.36 14.45 15.08

Ocean 36.75 28.33 35.33 33.47 38.50 28.33 36.33 34.39

Total transportation 69.24 58.31 67.17 64.91 92.03 75.96 81.67 83.22

Farm gate price3 302.03 286.59 344.92 311.18 282.59 287.53 367.89 312.67

Landed cost 371.27 344.90 412.10 376.09 374.62 363.48 449.56 395.89

Transport % of landed cost 18.6 16.9 16.3 17.3 24.6 20.9 18.2 21.2

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: 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 41.12 28.86 27.02 27.62 27.83

Ocean 25.00 16.00 20.75 20.58 22.25 17.50 25.00 21.58

Total transportation 69.10 54.23 61.78 61.71 51.11 44.52 52.62 49.42

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 367.89 312.67 300.23 294.95 359.63 318.27

Landed cost 351.70 341.76 429.67 374.38 351.33 339.48 412.25 367.69

Transport % of landed cost 19.6 15.9 14.4 16.6 14.5 13.1 12.8 13.5

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mtTruck 32.49 29.98 31.84 31.44 37.11 33.27 30.89 33.75

Barge4 - - - - 16.42 14.36 14.45 15.08

Ocean 22.25 17.50 25.00 21.58 24.00 15.00 20.50 19.83

Total transportation 54.74 47.48 56.84 53.02 77.53 62.63 65.84 68.66

Farm gate price3 302.03 286.59 344.92 311.18 282.59 287.53 367.89 312.67

Landed cost 356.77 334.07 401.77 364.20 360.12 350.15 433.73 381.33

Transport % of landed cost 15.3 14.2 14.1 14.6 21.5 17.9 15.2 18.2

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: 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 7.28

2 North MT (Sorriso) Santos 1,190 3.0 5.74 5.00 5.09 5.37

3 North MT (Sorriso) Paranaguá 1,262 2.9 5.35 4.60 4.77 4.97

4 South GO (Rio Verde) Santos 587 4.8 5.54 5.07 4.78 5.30

5 South GO (Rio Verde) Paranaguá 726 3.9 5.60 4.87 4.90 5.24

6 North Central PR (Londrina) Paranaguá 268 3.2 8.00 6.90 6.70 7.45

7 Western Central PR (Mamborê) Paranaguá 311 2.4 7.22 6.37 6.33 6.79

8 Triangle MG (Uberaba) Santos 339 3.0 7.66 6.90 6.43 7.28

9 West PR (Assis Chateaubriand) Paranaguá 377 2.3 6.71 5.75 5.71 6.23

10 West Extreme BA (São Desidério) Salvador 535 6.6 5.97 5.62 5.69 5.80

11 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Santos 901 2.4 5.26 4.64 4.58 4.95

12 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Paranaguá 975 2.2 5.05 4.36 4.54 4.70

13 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Paranaguá 612 3.5 5.99 5.21 5.11 5.60

14 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Santos 652 3.2 5.82 5.10 5.04 5.46

15 West PR (Assis Chateaubriand) Santos 550 1.6 5.94 5.11 5.07 5.53

16 East GO (Cristalina) Santos 585 1.9 6.35 5.73 5.60 6.04

17 North PR (Cornélio Procópio) Paranaguá 306 1.8 6.46 5.56 5.64 6.01

18 Eastern Central PR (Castro) Paranaguá 130 2.0 10.54 8.84 8.49 9.69

19 South Central PR (Guarapuava) Paranaguá 204 2.3 9.63 8.21 8.06 8.92

20 North Central MS (São Gabriel do Oeste) Santos 720 2.4 5.06 4.38 4.43 4.72

21 Ribeirão Preto SP (Guairá) Santos 314 0.0 6.40 5.50 5.23 5.95

22 Northeast MT (Canarana) Santos 950 3.3 5.55 4.80 4.60 5.17

23 East MS (Chapadão do Sul) Santos 607 0.0 5.08 4.48 4.45 4.78

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 4.98

25 Western Central RS (Tupanciretã) Rio Grande 273 2.5 7.10 5.85 5.97 6.47

26 Southwest PR(Chopinzinho) Paranaguá 291 1.7 7.57 6.65 6.63 7.11

27 North MT (Sorriso) Itaituba 672 5.4 5.52 4.95 4.60 5.24

28 North MT (Sorriso) Porto Velho 632 5.7 5.22 4.45 4.54 4.83

29 North MT (Sorriso) Santarém 876 4.1 5.03 4.36 4.68 4.70

30 South MA (Balsas) São Luís 482 2.1 5.99 5.61 5.74 5.80

31 Southwest PI (Bom Jesus) São Luís 606 2.6 5.36 4.95 5.26 5.16

32 Southeast PA (Paragominas) Barcarena 249 1.5 7.17 6.61 5.90 6.89

33 East TO (Campos Lindos) São Luís 842 1.6 5.04 4.40 4.69 4.72

Weighted average 587 100.0 6.33 5.52 5.48 5.93

34 North MT (Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 6.49 5.71 5.62 6.10

35 Rondonópolis MT (Rail terminal)

6 Santos 1,019 3.70 3.00 3.04 3.35

36 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)7 Santarém 224 4.73 4.23 3.92 4.48

37 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)7 Barcarena 738 2.23 1.95 1.96 2.09

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

Nov-16 5.00 -14.9 86.21

Dec-16 5.47 9.4 94.32

*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

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

export transportation routes, 2017-20

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.

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

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

US$/mt /100 miles

Western Central PR to Paranaguá

Southwest MS to Paranaguá

North MT to Paranaguá

$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

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
16

Brazil Soybean Transportation

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

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-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

US$/mt/100 miles
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

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 30.00 21.50 25.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 29.50 20.75 24.50

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 25.00 16.00 20.75

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 22.25 17.50 25.00

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 24.00 15.00 20.50

Santos China (Shanghai) 35.50 27.08 31.33

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 37.25 28.83 33.08

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 37.00 28.58 32.83

Santarém China (Shanghai) 36.50 28.08 34.83

São Luís China (Shanghai) 36.75 28.33 35.33

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 38.50 28.33 36.33

*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 1. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports to Shanghai, China

• Table 1a. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the northern and northeastern ports 

to Shanghai, China

• Table 2. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports to Hamburg, 

Germany

• Table 2a. Quarterly 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: September 24, 2020 (PDF)

Preferred Citation:

Salin, Delmy. Brazil Soybean Transportation. November 2020. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural 

Marketing Service. Web. <http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS052.11-2020>

Photo Credit: USDA

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