Surge in Ocean Rates and Strong Chinese Soybean Demand Drive Rising Transportation Costs 

Brazil’s soybean transportation costs increased mostly because of a significant rise in ocean rates (tables 1, 1a, 

2, 2a, and 9). Strong global commodity movements raised vessel demand, as well as higher fuel prices, and 

spurred a sharp rise in ocean freight rates. In May, Brazil’s iron ore supply improved after production recovered 

following the repair of a collapsed dam powering a major iron mine. This rally boosted the demand for vessels 

(Grain Transportation Report (GTR), July 15, 2021). From second quarter 2020 to second quarter 2021 (year 

to year), the cost of shipping a metric ton (mt) of soybeans 100 miles by truck increased by 8 percent—from 

$5.52 per mt to $5.94 per mt (table 8). 

For the route from Sorriso, Mato Grosso (the largest Brazilian soybean-producing State), to Santos, second 

quarter 2021 soybean transportation costs to Shanghai, China, represented 17-19 percent of the total landed 

costs, compared with 34 percent in 2008 and 45 percent in 2006. Year to year, soybean transportation costs 

to Shanghai, China—as a share of total landed costs—declined by 17-20 percent for the route from northern 

Mato Grosso to Santos and declined by 12 percent from Santarém and Barcarena. 

Brazil Soybean Transportation

A quarterly publication of the Agricultural Marketing Service 

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

 Second Quarter 2021 (April, May, June)

Published August 2021

Figure 1. Brazil average monthly soybean exports, 2020-21

Note: Hyphens designate data were unavailable.

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2020 1.4 4.8 10.9 14.9 14.1 12.7 10.0 5.8 4.3 2.4 1.4 0.3

2021 0.0 2.6 12.7 16.1 15.0 11.1 8.7 - - - - -

Million metric tons

2020

2021
Brazil Soybean Transportation

2

In the first 6 months of 2021, Brazil exported nearly 58 mmt of soybeans, valued at $24.7 billion (fig. 1) (Comex 

Stat, Ministério da Economia).1 During this time, Brazil exported 39.8 mmt of soybeans to China, valued at 

$17.0 billion, nearly 6 percent less than its total of 42.2 mmt in from January to June 2020. The next highest 

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

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. Also, in the first 6 months of 

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

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

ports exported mostly to the European Union (83 percent), North America (9 percent), and Africa (6 percent). 

The ocean freight spread (or cost difference) between the Shanghai routes from the northeastern port of São 

Luís ($55.60/mt) and the port of Santos ($50.60/mt) was $5/mt (table 9). 

Year to year, average Brazilian soybean export prices rose by 32 percent, from $336.34 per mt to $443.44 

per mt. Brazilian farmers have benefited from the still-low value of the real 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 nearly 76 percent, from $285.44/mt to $501.85/mt year to year. Year to year, the Brazilian 

real strengthened about 2 percent against the U.S. dollar, from R$5.38 per U.S. dollar to R$5.29 per U.S. dollar 

(Brazil Central Bank). However, the real remained about 35 percent weaker than it was in second quarter 

2019 (R$3.92 per U.S. dollar). The continued-weak real and strong Chinese demand for soybeans led to higher 

domestic soybean prices in Brazil. On average, in reais, second-quarter 2021 farm gate prices increased nearly 

73 percent, from R$1,536.62/mt to R$2,656.20/mt (Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB)).

Update on BR-163

The 663-mile (1,067 km) stretch of BR-163 from Sorriso, North Mato Grosso, (Brazil’s largest grain producer) to 

Miritituba was completed in late November 2019. Currently, using this new route, it takes about 2 days to ship 

grain by truck to Miritituba. 

Current status: On July 8, 2021, Consortium Via Brasil won the auctioned contract to operate Brazilian toll road 

BR 163. The concession is for 10 years. According to ESALQ-LOG, the Northern Arc toll rates will increase about 

$2.85 (R$ 15) per metric ton.2 For example, for the Sorriso, North Mato Grosso, to Itaituba route, the average 

freight rate was $38.44/mt in the first half of 2021. With the new tolls, the rate would increase about 7.5 

percent to $41.29/mt. For more information, contact Delmy L. Salin at delmy.salin@usda.gov.

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

2 Exchange rate of 5.26 real per U.S. dollar, July 8, 2021.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

3

Table 1. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Shanghai, China

2020 

2nd qtr.

2021

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

2020

2nd qtr.

2021

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 59.53 66.24 11.3 19.03 21.09 10.9

Ocean 27.08 50.60 86.9 28.58 51.00 78.4

Total transportation 86.61 116.84 34.9 47.61 72.09 51.4

Farm gate price3 287.53 495.57 72.4 297.17 505.86 70.2

Landed cost 374.13 612.41 63.7 344.78 577.95 67.6

Transport % of landed cost 23.1 19.1 -17.6 13.8 12.5 -9.7

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 21.82 23.05 5.7 58.03 65.99 13.7

Rail4 30.58 30.44 -0.5 - - -

Ocean 27.08 50.60 86.9 28.83 52.40 81.8

Total transportation 79.48 104.10 31.0 86.86 118.39 36.3

Farm gate price3 287.53 495.57 72.4 287.53 495.57 72.4

Landed cost 367.00 599.67 63.4 374.39 613.96 64.0

Transport % of landed cost 21.7 17.4 -19.8 23.2 19.3 -16.9

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 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.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

4

Table 1a. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans 

from the northern and northeastern ports to Shanghai, China

2020 

2nd qtr.

2021

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

2020

2nd qtr.

2021

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 38.23 42.08 10.1 27.02 28.77 6.5

Ocean 28.08 56.60 101.6 28.33 55.60 96.3

Total transportation 66.31 98.68 48.8 55.35 84.37 52.4

Farm gate price3 287.53 495.57 72.4 294.95 503.18 70.6

Landed cost 353.84 594.25 67.9 350.31 587.55 67.7

Transport % of landed cost 18.7 16.6 -11.4 15.8 14.4 -9.1

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

Truck 29.98 34.77 16.0 33.27 38.44 15.6

Barge4 - - - 14.36 15.79 10.0

Ocean 28.33 55.60 96.3 28.33 58.20 105.4

Total transportation 58.31 90.37 55.0 75.96 112.44 48.0

Farm gate price3 286.59 489.79 70.9 287.53 495.57 72.4

Landed cost 344.90 580.17 68.2 363.48 608.01 67.3

Transport % of landed cost 16.9 15.6 -7.9 20.9 18.5 -11.5

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 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.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

5

Table 2. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Hamburg, Germany

2020 

2nd qtr.

2021

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

2020

2nd qtr.

2021

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 59.53 66.24 11.3 19.03 21.09 10.9

Ocean 20.50 42.70 108.3 20.75 43.80 111.1

Total transportation 80.03 108.94 36.1 39.78 64.89 63.1

Farm gate price3 287.53 495.57 72.4 297.17 505.86 70.2

Landed cost 367.55 604.51 64.5 336.95 570.75 69.4

Transport % of landed cost 21.8 18.0 -17.2 11.8 11.4 -3.7

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 21.82 23.05 5.7 58.03 65.99 13.7

Rail4 30.58 30.44 -0.5 - - -

Ocean 20.50 42.70 108.3 21.50 41.90 94.9

Total transportation 72.90 96.20 32.0 79.53 107.89 35.7

Farm gate price3 287.53 495.57 72.4 287.53 495.57 72.4

Landed cost 360.42 591.77 64.2 367.06 603.46 64.4

Transport % of landed cost 20.2 16.3 -19.6 21.7 17.9 -17.5

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.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

6

Map of Brazilian Northern 

Arc barge routes ports that 

includes: Itacoatiara/Manaus 

(Amazon River), Santarém 

(Amazon River), Barcarena 

(Pará River), Porto Velho 

(MT) and Miritituba (PA) 

(barge terminals) and Marabá 

(planned barge terminal).

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

northeastern ports to Hamburg, Germany

2020 

2nd qtr.

2021

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

2020

2nd qtr.

2021

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 38.23 42.08 10.1 27.02 28.77 6.5

Ocean 16.00 45.90 186.9 17.50 40.00 128.6

Total transportation 54.23 87.98 62.2 44.52 68.77 54.5

Farm gate price3 287.53 495.57 72.4 294.95 503.18 70.6

Landed cost 341.76 583.55 70.7 339.48 571.95 68.5

Transport % of landed cost 15.9 15.1 -5.0 13.1 12.0 -8.3

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mt--

Truck 29.98 34.77 16.0 33.27 38.44 15.6

Barge4 - - - 14.36 15.79 10.0

Ocean 17.50 40.00 128.6 15.00 38.90 159.3

Total transportation 47.48 74.77 57.5 62.63 93.14 48.7

Farm gate price3 286.59 489.79 70.9 287.53 495.57 72.4

Landed cost 334.07 564.57 69.0 350.15 588.71 68.1

Transport % of landed cost 14.2 13.2 -6.8 17.9 15.8 -11.5

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 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.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

7

Indicators

Regions considered in the 

Brazilian soybean export 

transportation indicators.

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

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 79 percent of Brazilian soybean production, 2019 (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.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

8

Table 3. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Shanghai, China

—2021—

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

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 60.94 66.24 63.59 58.57 65.99 62.28

Ocean 37.00 50.60 43.80 38.75 52.40 45.58

Total transportation 97.94 116.84 107.39 97.32 118.39 107.85

Farm gate price3 463.10 495.57 479.33 463.10 495.57 479.33

Landed cost 561.04 612.41 586.72 560.42 613.96 587.19

Transport % of landed cost 17.5 19.1 18.3 17.4 19.3 18.3

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 22.18 23.05 22.6 19.91 21.09 20.5

Rail4 30.95 30.44 30.7 - - -

Ocean 37.00 50.60 43.8 37.25 51.00 44.1

Total transportation 90.13 104.10 97.1 57.16 72.09 64.6

Farm gate price3 463.10 495.57 479.3 475.64 505.86 490.7

Landed cost 553.22 599.67 576.4 532.80 577.95 555.4

Transport % of landed cost 16.3 17.4 16.8 10.7 12.5 11.6

1

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

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.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

9

Table 4. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Hamburg, Germany

—2021—

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

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 60.94 66.24 63.59 58.57 65.99 62.28

Ocean 31.25 42.70 36.98 31.00 41.90 36.45

Total transportation 92.19 108.94 100.57 89.57 107.89 98.73

Farm gate price3 463.10 495.57 479.33 463.10 495.57 479.33

Landed cost 555.29 604.51 579.90 552.67 603.46 578.06

Transport % of landed cost 16.6 18.0 17.3 16.2 17.9 17.0

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 22.18 23.05 22.62 19.91 21.09 20.50

Rail4 30.95 30.44 30.69 - - -

Ocean 31.25 42.70 36.98 32.00 43.80 37.90

Total transportation 84.38 96.20 90.29 51.91 64.89 58.40

Farm gate price3 463.10 495.57 479.33 475.64 505.86 490.75

Landed cost 547.47 591.77 569.62 527.55 570.75 549.15

Transport % of landed cost 15.4 16.3 15.8 9.8 11.4 10.6

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.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

10

Table 5. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

northern and northeastern ports to Shanghai, China

—2021—

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

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 40.01 42.08 41.04 25.06 28.77 26.91

Ocean 50.54 56.60 53.57 41.00 55.60 48.30

Total transportation 90.55 98.68 94.61 66.06 84.37 75.21

Farm gate price3 463.10 495.57 479.33 466.73 503.18 484.95

Landed cost 553.64 594.25 573.95 532.79 587.55 560.17

Transport % of landed cost 16.4 16.6 16.5 12.4 14.4 13.4

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mtTruck 29.27 34.77 32.02 34.86 38.44 36.65

Barge4 - - - 16.37 15.79 16.08

Ocean 41.00 55.60 48.30 42.00 58.20 50.10

Total transportation 70.27 90.37 80.32 93.23 112.44 102.83

Farm gate price3 484.07 489.79 486.93 463.10 495.57 479.33

Landed cost 554.34 580.17 567.25 556.33 608.01 582.17

Transport % of landed cost 12.7 15.6 14.1 16.8 18.5 17.6

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.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

11

Table 6. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

northern and northeastern ports to Hamburg, Germany

—2021—

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

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 40.01 42.08 41.04 25.06 28.77 26.91

Ocean 28.65 45.90 37.28 33.25 40.00 36.63

Total transportation 68.66 87.98 78.32 58.31 68.77 63.54

Farm gate price3 463.10 495.57 479.33 466.73 503.18 484.95

Landed cost 531.75 583.55 557.65 525.04 571.95 548.49

Transport % of landed cost 12.9 15.1 14.0 11.1 12.0 11.6

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mtTruck 29.27 34.77 32.02 34.86 38.44 36.65

Barge4 - - - 16.37 15.79 16.08

Ocean 33.25 40.00 36.63 28.10 38.90 33.50

Total transportation 62.52 74.77 68.65 79.33 93.14 86.23

Farm gate price3 484.07 489.79 486.93 463.10 495.57 479.33

Landed cost 546.59 564.57 555.58 542.43 588.71 565.57

Transport % of landed cost 11.4 13.2 12.3 14.6 15.8 15.2

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.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

12

Table 7. Quarterly truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2021

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 12.0 6.91 7.32 7.12

2 North MT (Sorriso) Santos 1,190 3.3 5.12 5.57 5.34

3 North MT (Sorriso) Paranaguá 1,262 3.1 4.64 5.23 4.94

4 South GO (Rio Verde) Santos 587 4.9 4.96 5.11 5.03

5 South GO (Rio Verde) Paranaguá 726 3.9 5.07 5.33 5.20

6 North Central PR (Londrina) Paranaguá 268 2.8 7.17 7.15 7.16

7 Western Central PR (Mamborê) Paranaguá 311 2.2 6.63 6.27 6.45

8 Triangle MG (Uberaba) Santos 339 3.0 6.86 6.94 6.90

9 West PR (Assis Chateaubriand) Paranaguá 377 1.7 6.08 5.93 6.01

10 West Extreme BA (São Desidério) Salvador 535 5.9 5.28 5.69 5.49

11 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Santos 901 2.5 4.69 5.27 4.98

12 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Paranaguá 975 2.3 4.58 5.08 4.83

13 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Paranaguá 612 3.0 5.68 5.51 5.59

14 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Santos 652 2.8 5.47 5.60 5.53

15 West PR (Assis Chateaubriand) Santos 550 1.2 5.35 5.54 5.44

16 East GO (Cristalina) Santos 585 1.9 5.72 6.00 5.86

17 North PR (Cornélio Procópio) Paranaguá 306 1.7 5.84 5.81 5.82

18 Eastern Central PR (Castro) Paranaguá 130 2.0 8.74 9.00 8.87

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

20 North Central MS (São Gabriel do Oeste) Santos 720 2.4 4.61 4.79 4.70

21 Ribeirão Preto SP (Guairá) Santos 314 0.0 5.42 5.69 5.56

22 Northeast MT (Canarana) Santos 950 3.6 4.78 5.34 5.06

23 East MS (Chapadão do Sul) Santos 607 0.0 4.64 4.79 4.71

1

The main city 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 is measured as a percentage of total production.

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-
Brazil Soybean Transportation

13

Table 7. Quarterly truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2021

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 3.2 4.23 5.04 4.64

25 Western Central RS (Tupanciretã) Rio Grande 273 2.7 5.42 6.62 6.02

26 Southwest PR(Chopinzinho) Paranaguá 291 1.5 6.83 7.32 7.08

27 North MT (Sorriso) Itaituba 672 5.8 5.19 5.72 5.46

28 North MT (Sorriso) Porto Velho 632 6.2 4.55 4.94 4.74

29 North MT (Sorriso) Santarém 876 4.4 4.57 4.80 4.68

30 South MA (Balsas) São Luís 482 2.2 5.20 5.97 5.59

31 Southwest PI (Bom Jesus) São Luís 606 2.5 4.83 5.74 5.29

32 Southeast PA (Paragominas) Barcarena 249 1.6 6.61 6.46 6.54

33 East TO (Campos Lindos) São Luís 842 1.4 4.51 4.75 4.63

Weighted average 587 100.0 5.60 5.94 5.77

34 North MT (Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 5.81 6.04 5.92

35 Rondonópolis MT (Rail terminal)

6 Santos 1,019 3.04 2.99 3.01

36 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)7 Santarém 224 5.97 4.49 5.23

37 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)7 Barcarena 738 2.22 2.14 2.18

1

The main city 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 is measured as a percentage of total production.

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.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jul-17 8.74 6.8 150.66

Aug-17 9.85 12.7 169.76

Sep-17 8.97 -9.0 154.55

Oct-17 8.64 -3.6 148.93

Nov-17 8.36 -3.2 144.11

Dec-17 7.23 -13.5 124.63

*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 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.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

15

Figure 3. Truck rates for selected southern Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2018-21

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

export transportation routes, 2018-21

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

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

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

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

$0

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

$7

$8

$9

$10

$11

$12

$13

$14

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

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-18

Apr-18

Jul-18

Oct-18

Jan-19

Apr-19

Jul-19

Oct-19

Jan-20

Apr-20

Jul-20

Oct-20

Jan-21

Apr-21

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
Brazil Soybean Transportation

16

Figure 5. Brazilian soybean export truck transportation weighted average prices, 2018-21

Note: mt = metric ton.

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

$0

$2

$4

$6

$8

$10

$12

Jan-18

Apr-18

Jul-18

Oct-18

Jan-19

Apr-19

Jul-19

Oct-19

Jan-20

Apr-20

Jul-20

Oct-20

Jan-21

Apr-21

US$/mt/100 miles
Brazil Soybean Transportation

17

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

Germany and China (US$/metric ton)*

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

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

*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-
Brazil Soybean Transportation

18

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

Germany and China (US$/metric ton)*

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

Port Destination 1st qtr. 2021 2nd qtr. 2021 3rd qtr. 2021 4th qtr. 2021

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 31.25 42.70 

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 31.00 41.90 

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 32.00 43.80 

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 28.65 45.90 

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 33.25 40.00 

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 28.10 38.90 

Santos China (Shanghai) 37.00 50.60 

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 38.75 52.40 

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 37.25 51.00 

Santarém China (Shanghai) 50.54 56.60 

São Luís China (Shanghai) 41.00 55.60 

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 42.00 58.20 

*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.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

19

Contact Information:

Delmy L. Salin

Senior Economist, Project Manager

delmy.salin@usda.gov

202.720.0833

Jessica Ladd

Supervisory 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, 2018-21

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

transportation routes, 2018-21

• Figure 5. Brazilian soybean export truck transportation weighted average prices, 2018-21

• 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, 2021

• 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: June 3, 2021 (PDF)

Preferred Citation:

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

Service. Web. <http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS052.08-2021>

Photo Credit: USDA

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