Soybean Transportation Guide 

BRAZIL 2020
United States Department of Agriculture

Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Agricultural Marketing Service

Transportation and Marketing Program

August 2021

Author:

Delmy L. Salin, USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service

Graphic Designer:

Jessica E. Ladd, USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service

Preferred Citation

Salin, Delmy. Soybean Transportation Guide: Brazil 2020. August 2021. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural 

Marketing Service. Web. <http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS048.08-2021>

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

Contents

Soybean Transportation Guide: Brazil 2020.

General Information.

2020 Summary.

Transportation Infrastructure. 

Transportation Indicators. 

Soybean Production. 

Exports. 

Exports to China. 

Transportation Modes. 

Reference Material. 

Photo Credits. 
1

Soybean Transportation Guide: Brazil 2020

Executive Summary

The Soybean Transportation Guide is a visual snapshot of Brazilian soybean transportation in 2020. It provides 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

forecasts Brazil to retain its position as the world’s largest soybean exporter through 2030. In recent years, 

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

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

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

Soybean Transportation Cost and Export Demand

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. 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. 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. 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 a secondary alternative 

to Brazil’s southern ports. Rather, the BR 163 route has become key to accommodating central Brazil’s everexpanding 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. 

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

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

elevator terminals is about 25-100 miles. In 2019, the largest share (49 percent) of Brazil’s soybeans shipped 

to major export facilities 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).
2

On average, Brazil’s ocean rates for 2020 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. 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.

From 2019 to 2020 (year to year), lower transportation costs and higher farm prices led to lower costs for 

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 and fell 26 percent from 

Barcarena. In Mato Grosso, Brazil’s largest soybean-producing State, 2020 transportation costs from Sorriso 

to Shanghai through the Port of Santos represented 20-21 percent of the total landed costs, compared with 

34 percent in 2008 and 45 percent in 2006. Year to year, average Brazilian soybean export prices declined 

2 percent, from $352 per mt to $344 per mt. Brazilian farmers have benefited from the real’s depreciation 

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

Measured in U.S. dollars, average soybean farm gate prices 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. A strong rally for 2020 farm 

gate prices mostly happened in the second half of the year when crop supplies were depleted following a 

robust pace of shipments to China.

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. The northern ports are favored 

for servicing Brazil’s shipments to Europe because of their shorter route and fewer days at sea. Typically, 

Brazilian soybean exports peak in May and decline through the end of the year.

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 shorter loading delays and vessel backups than 

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

average delays of 3-10 days for the ports of Santos and Paranaguá. The briefer delays at Barcarena offset the 

roughly 3-days-longer voyage distance from Barcarena to Shanghai. In 2020, the ocean freight spread was 

about $2-$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/mt) to Shanghai. Ocean freight spread is the cost 

difference between two vessel routes to the same destination.

Acknowledgments

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

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

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

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

and critiques by Keith Menzie and Joanna Hitchner (USDA, Office of the Chief Economist); Mark Ash (USDA, 

Economic Research Service); Bill George (USDA, FAS) and Nicole Podesta (USDA, FAS, Agricultural Attaché, 

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

graphic designer; and Kranti Mulik, economist. 
3

General Information

State and Abbreviation

Acre (AC)

Alagoas (AL)

Amapá (AP)

Amazonas (AM)

Bahia (BA)

Ceará (CE)

Distrito Federal (DF)

Espírito Santo (ES)

Goiás (GO)

Maranhão (MA)

Mato Grosso (MT)

Mato Grosso do Sul (MS)

Minas Gerais (MG)

Pará (PA) 

Paraíba (PB)

Paraná (PR)

Pernambuco (PE)

Piauí (PI)

Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

Rio Grande do Sul (RS)

Rondônia (RO)

Roraima (RR)

Santa Catarina (SC)

São Paulo (SP)

Sergipe (SE)

Tocantins (TO)

Information about Brazil

Population: 211,755,692 (July 2020 estimate, Census, Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia 

e Estatística (IBGE))

Gross Domestic Product per Capita, 2020: $14,916 (International Monetary Fund)

Inflation, 2020: 4.52 percent (IBGE)

Unemployment, 4th Quarter 2020: 11 percent (IBGE)

Area: 8,515,770 square kilometers

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

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

2020 Summary

Routes1 and regions considered in the 

Brazilian soybean export transportation indicator2

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

2 Regions comprised about 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.
5

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

Canada. In 2020, 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.

Brazilian soybean exports by port, 2018-20 

In 2020, the average cost in Brazil 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.

Brazilian soybean export truck cost index, 2018-20

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

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

8.00

9.00

10.00

11.00

12.00

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

US$/metric ton/100 miles

2018

2019

2020

Average 2019: $7.19

Average 2020: $5.49

Average 2018: $8.44

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Santos

Paranaguá

Rio Grande

São Luís

Barcarena/Belém

São Francisco do Sul

Vitória

Santarém

Salvador

Manaus

Percentage

2018

2019

2020
From 2019 to 2020, to transport Brazilian soybeans from northern Mato Grasso to Shanghai, China, total landed costs sSantos and Santarém fell 25 percent and, via Barcarena, fell 26 percent. Total landed costs decreased in response to lowhigher farm prices. In Mato Grosso, Brazil’s largest soybean-producing State, 2020 transportation costs from Sorriso repthe total landed costs of shipping soybeans to Shanghai through the Port of Santos, compared with 45 percent in 2006 

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

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 % Change 2019-20 2015 2016 2017 201

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 

—US$/

Truck 86.04 75.49 92.95 91.76 79.28 60.65 -23.5 26.37 18.38 30.72 29.2

Ocean 23.81 16.63 26.88 30.31 33.65 31.40 -6.7 25.31 20.50 27.30 31.0

Total transportation 109.86 92.12 119.82 122.08 112.92 92.04 -18.5 51.68 38.88 58.02 60.2Farm gate price3 295.17 331.91 293.60 306.03 285.35 357.23 25.2 331.55 352.69 322.30 333.2

Landed cost 405.02 424.03 413.43 428.11 398.28 449.27 12.8 383.23 391.57 380.32 393.4

Transport % of landed cost 27.1 21.9 29.0 28.5 28.4 21.2 -25.2 13.5 9.9 15.3 15.3 

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

South GO1 

—US$/

Truck - - - 33.49 27.62 21.47 -22.3 39.82 34.66 44.22 43.2

Rail4 - - - 43.29 39.98 32.13 -19.6 - - - - 

Ocean - - - 30.31 33.65 31.40 -6.7 23.81 16.63 26.88 30.3

Total transportation - - - 107.10 101.25 85.00 -16.1 63.63 51.28 71.09 73.5

Farm gate price3 - - - 306.03 285.35 357.23 25.2 304.36 329.15 301.99 312.3

Landed cost - - - 413.13 386.60 442.22 14.4 368.00 380.43 373.08 385.8

Transport % of landed cost - - - 25.9 26.2 19.9 -23.8 17.2 13.6 19.1 19.1 

1Producing regions: RS = Rio Grande do Sul, MT= Mato Grosso, and GO = Goiás.2Export ports.3The source of the farm gate price is the Brazilian Government, Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB).4In Brazil there are no public/official rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be approximately 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on volumes hauled and the terms 

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.
7

From 2019 to 2020, to ship soybeans to Hamburg, Germany, from Mato Grosso, transportation costs as a share of total 24-26 percent and fell nearly 20 percent from Rio Grande do Sul.

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 % Change 2019-20 2015 2016 2017 20

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS

—US$

Truck 86.04 75.49 92.95 91.76 79.28 60.65 -23.5 26.37 23.85 30.72 29.

Ocean 19.75 18.13 24.50 25.25 25.63 24.75 -3.4 20.25 17.25 25.50 26.

Total transportation 105.79 93.62 117.45 117.01 104.90 85.40 -18.6 46.62 41.10 56.22 55.

Farm gate price3 295.17 331.91 293.60 306.03 285.35 357.23 25.2 331.55 348.28 322.30 333

Landed cost 400.96 425.53 411.05 423.05 390.25 442.62 13.4 378.17 389.37 378.52 388

Transport % of landed cost 26.3 22.1 28.6 27.6 26.9 20.0 -25.5 12.3 10.6 14.9 14

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

South GO

—US$

Truck - - - 33.49 27.62 21.47 -22.3 39.82 34.66 44.22 43.

Rail4 - - - 43.29 39.98 32.13 -19.6 - - - - 

Ocean - - - 25.25 25.63 24.75 -3.4 19.75 18.13 24.50 25.

Total transportation - - - 102.03 93.23 78.35 -16.0 59.57 52.78 68.72 68.

Farm gate price3 - - - 306.03 285.35 357.23 25.2 304.36 329.15 301.99 312

Landed cost - - - 408.07 378.58 435.58 15.1 363.94 381.93 370.71 380

Transport % of landed cost - - - 25.0 24.6 18.7 -24.0 16.3 13.9 18.6 18

1Producing regions: RS = Rio Grande do Sul, MT= Mato Grosso, and GO = Goiás.2Export ports.3The source of the farm gate price is the Brazilian Government, Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB).4In Brazil there are no public/official rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be approximately 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on volumes hauled and the terms o

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.

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

Transportation costs decreased from the selected routes of the northern and northeastern ports, to Shanghai, 

China, and Hamburg, Germany.

Cost of transporting soybeans from the northern and northeastern ports 

to Shanghai, China, 2018-20

2018 2019 2020 % Change 

2019-20 2018 2019 2020 % Change 2019-20

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1

 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 58.86 52.04 39.20 -24.7 37.60 32.99 26.83 -18.7

Ocean 34.81 35.06 33.66 -4.0 33.89 34.81 34.02 -2.3

Total transportation 93.67 87.10 72.86 -16.4 71.48 67.80 60.85 -10.2

Farm gate price3 306.03 285.35 357.23 25.2 333.03 297.05 353.30 18.9

Landed cost 399.70 372.45 430.08 15.5 404.51 364.85 414.15 13.5

Transport % of landed cost 23.4 23.4 17.6 -24.9 17.7 18.6 15.0 -19.1

Southwest PI1

 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1

 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

Truck 46.52 39.34 29.81 -24.2 - 46.64 31.72 -32.0

Barge4 - - - - - 18.85 14.68 -22.1

Ocean 33.89 34.81 34.02 -2.3 - 34.96 34.96 0.0

Total transportation 80.41 74.15 63.83 -13.9 - 100.45 81.35 -19.0

Farm gate price3 306.26 295.87 342.39 15.7 - 285.35 357.23 25.2

Landed cost 386.67 370.02 406.23 9.8 - 385.80 438.58 13.7

Transport % of landed cost 20.8 20.9 16.0 -23.2 - 26.1 19.2 -26.1

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

In Brazil, there are no 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: mt = metric ton. 

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

Cost of transporting soybeans from the northern and northeastern ports 

to Hamburg, Germany, 2018-20

2018 2019 2020 % Change 

2019-20 2018 2019 2020 % Change 2019-20

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1

 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 58.86 52.04 39.20 -24.7 37.60 32.99 26.83 -18.7

Ocean 23.35 23.42 20.94 -10.6 19.40 20.34 22.76 11.9

Total transportation 82.21 75.45 60.14 -20.3 57.00 53.33 49.59 -7.0

Farm gate price3 306.03 285.35 357.23 25.2 333.03 297.05 353.30 18.9

Landed cost 388.24 360.81 417.37 15.7 390.02 350.38 402.89 15.0

Transport % of landed cost 21.2 20.9 15.0 -28.3 14.6 15.2 12.6 -17.4

Southwest PI1

 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1

 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

Truck 46.52 39.34 29.81 -24.2 - 46.64 31.72 -32.0

Barge4 - - - - - 18.85 14.68 -22.1

Ocean 19.40 20.34 22.76 11.9 - 21.16 20.31 -4.0

Total transportation 65.92 59.68 52.58 -11.9 - 86.64 66.71 -23.0

Farm gate price3 306.26 295.87 342.39 15.7 - 285.35 357.23 25.2

Landed cost 372.18 355.55 394.97 11.1 - 372.00 423.93 14.0

Transport % of landed cost 17.7 16.8 13.6 -19.3 - 23.3 16.4 -29.6

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 the volumes hauled 

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

Note: mt = metric ton. 

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

In response to lower barge and ocean rates in the first half of 2020, U.S. soybean transportation costs decreased 

14 percent from Iowa to Hamburg, Germany, via the U.S. Gulf. From Minnesota and Iowa to Shanghai, China, 

via the U.S. Gulf, transportation costs as a share of the total landed costs decreased 14-15 percent from 2019, 

because of lower transportation costs, which more than offset higher farm gate prices. However, landed costs 

rose as higher farm gate prices more than offset the lower transportation costs. Strong Chinese demand for U.S. 

soybeans that began in fourth quarter 2020 combined with unusually high demand for barge services resulted in 

higher than usual barge rates, especially from Minnesota to the U.S. Gulf.3

Average costs of transporting U.S. soybeans to 

Hamburg, Germany, and Shanghai, China, 2016-20

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 % Change 

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

To Hamburg, Germany

Minneapolis, Minnesota

—US$/mt—

Davenport, Iowa

—US$/mt—

Truck 10.36 12.71 12.14 10.10 11.04 9.3 10.36 12.71 12.14 10.10 11.04 9.3

Rail1 43.30 45.91 46.37 47.96 36.73 -23.4 11.65 34.98 30.92 32.13 33.03 2.8

Barge2 24.32 22.62 29.97 21.99 26.14 18.8 18.72 17.60 24.51 20.43 20.05 -1.8

Ocean3 13.83 15.46 19.85 18.15 16.61 -8.5 19.20 15.47 19.85 18.15 16.61 -8.5

Total transportation4 59.33 62.26 73.55 74.22 62.97 -15.2 51.19 54.53 64.23 64.73 55.96 -13.6

Farm price5 335.81 338.20 330.51 305.65 321.45 5.2 340.89 344.53 336.05 307.27 330.02 7.4

Landed cost6 395.14 400.46 404.06 379.86 384.42 1.2 392.08 399.06 400.28 372.00 385.98 3.8

Transport % of 

landed cost 15.1 15.5 18.1 19.4 16.4 -15.7 13.1 13.6 16.0 17.4 14.4 -16.9

To Shanghai, China

Minneapolis, Minnesota

—US$/mt—

Davenport, Iowa

—US$/mt—

Truck 10.36 12.71 12.14 10.10 11.04 9.3 10.36 12.71 12.14 10.10 11.04 9.3

Rail1 43.30 45.91 46.37 47.96 36.73 -23.4 33.12 34.98 30.92 32.12 33.03 2.8

Barge2 24.32 22.62 29.97 21.99 26.14 18.8 18.72 17.60 24.51 20.43 20.05 -1.8

Ocean3 26.65 38.37 44.42 44.55 40.08 -10.0 26.65 38.37 44.42 44.55 40.08 -10.0

Total transportation4 72.15 85.17 98.12 100.62 86.44 -14.1 64.00 77.43 88.80 91.14 79.43 -12.8

Farm price5 335.81 338.20 330.56 305.65 321.45 5.2 340.89 344.53 336.05 307.27 330.02 7.4

Landed cost6 407.96 423.37 428.68 406.27 407.89 0.4 404.90 421.96 424.85 398.41 409.45 2.8

Transport % of 

landed cost 17.8 20.1 22.8 24.7 21.2 -14.1 15.9 18.3 20.9 22.9 19.4 -15.3

1

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

tariff rate plus fuel surcharge shown in the table.

2

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

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

3

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

4

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

only in the first quarter.

5

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

6

Landed cost is transportation cost plus farm price.

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

Source: Compiled by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

3 During the first half of 2019, severe and widespread flooding stopped barge traffic and disrupted navigation along the Upper Mississippi River 

resulting in lower average barge rates in 2019 in the Upper Mid-west region. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the St. Louis Harbor was closed for 38 

consecutive days between May and June; the longest period recorded for the year at a given lock and dam on the river.
11

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

costs, as a share of total landed costs, decreased 6 percent from a year earlier in response to lower transportation 

costs and higher soybean prices.

Average costs of transporting U.S. soybeans to Shanghai, China, 2015-19

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 % Change 

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

To Shanghai, China via PNW

Fargo, ND 

—US$/mt— 

Sioux Falls, SD

—US$/mt— 

Truck 10.36 12.71 12.14 10.10 11.04 9.3 10.44 12.71 12.14 10.10 11.04 9.3

Rail1 53.04 54.66 55.12 56.36 57.10 1.3 54.02 55.65 56.11 57.35 58.09 1.3

Ocean2 14.90 20.37 24.34 24.59 21.38 -13.1 14.85 20.37 24.34 24.59 21.38 -13.1

Total transportation 78.30 87.74 91.60 91.05 89.52 -1.7 79.31 88.74 92.59 92.04 90.51 -1.7

Farm price3 327.42 324.57 319.55 285.65 306.11 7.2 328.98 328.98 320.38 293.98 315.51 7.3

Landed cost4 405.72 412.31 411.14 376.70 395.62 5.0 408.29 417.72 412.96 386.02 406.01 5.2

Transport % of 

landed cost 19.3 21.3 22.3 24.2 22.7 -6.0 19.4 21.2 22.5 23.8 22.4 -6.3

1

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

rate plus fuel surcharge shown in the table.

2

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

3

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

4

Landed cost is transportation cost plus farm price.

Note: mt = metric ton; PNW = Pacific Northwest; SD = South Dakota; ND = North Dakota; total may not add exactly due to rounding.

Source: Compiled by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

In 2020, the cost per metric ton (mt) to ship soybeans from Sorriso, North Mato Grosso, to Shanghai, China, was 

$12.61 more than from Davenport, Iowa. The U.S. cost advantage decreased from 2019, as Brazilian transportation 

costs declined 18 percent while Iowa costs decreased around 13 percent. In 2020, the narrowing of the difference 

between Iowan and Brazilian transportation costs resulted mainly from a large reduction in ocean freight costs from 

the U.S. Gulf. Sorriso is located 1,190 miles from the port of Santos. Davenport is about 900 miles by truck, 908 

miles by rail, and 1,343 miles by barge from the Port of 

New Orleans.

Note: MT = Mato Grosso and IA = Iowa.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service. 

2019 2020

Sorriso, North MT, through Santos $112.92 $92.04

Davenport, IA, through U.S. Gulf $91.14 $79.43

$0.00

$20.00

$40.00

$60.00

$80.00

$100.00

$120.00

U.S.$/metric ton

+$21.78

+$12.61

MT

IA

MT

IA

Transportation cost differences between Mato Gross (MT) and Iowa (IA) 

to Shanghai, China, 2019-20
12

In 2020, the cost of shipping a metric ton of soybeans from Cruz Alta, Northwest Rio Grande do Sul, to 

Shanghai, China, was $27.30 less than from Davenport, IA. The Brazilian cost advantage narrowed from 2019, 

as Brazilian transportation costs declined nearly 12 percent and Iowa costs decreased nearly 13 percent. The 

distance from Cruz Alta to the port of Rio Grande is 288 miles. 

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

to Shanghai, China, 2019-20

Note: RS = Rio Grande do Sul and IA = Iowa.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service. 

During 2020, soybeans shipped by truck from Sorriso, North Mato Grosso, to Shanghai, China, cost about 

$1.50-$13.00 more per metric ton than U.S. shipments to Shanghai, by the U.S. Gulf and PNW routes. 

However, the cost advantage narrowed to $6 per metric ton when North Mato Grosso soybeans were shipped 

by rail to Santos and narrowed further to $2 per metric ton when shipped by barge to Barcarena. In Brazil, 

there are no public/official rail and barge tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, 

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

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

Transportation cost differences between selected Brazil-United States Routes 

to Shanghai, China, 2020

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

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

2019 2020

Davenport, IA through U.S. Gulf 91.14 79.43

Northwest RS, through Rio Grande 58.99 52.13

$0.00

$10.00

$20.00

$30.00

$40.00

$50.00

$60.00

$70.00

$80.00

$90.00

$100.00

U.S.$/metric ton

-$32.15

-$27.30

RS

IA

RS

IA

Sorriso, North MT, through Santos via truck $92.04

Sioux Falls, SD, through Pacific Northwest $90.51

Fargo, ND, through Pacific Northwest $89.52

Sorriso, North MT, through Santos via rail $85.00

Sorriso, North MT, through Barcarena $81.35

Davenport, IA, through U.S. Gulf $79.43

Balsas, South MA, through São Luís $60.85

Cruz Alta, Northwest RS, through Rio Grande $52.13

$0.00

$10.00

$20.00

$30.00

$40.00

$50.00

$60.00

$70.00

$80.00

$90.00

$100.00

U.S.$/metric ton

MT via ND MA

truck

MT via IA RS

rail

MT via 

barge

SD
13

In 2020, selected Brazilian export truck routes, measured in reais (R$), saw proportionally higher 

transportation costs, than those estimated in U.S. dollars, owing to the 31 percent depreciation of the Brazilian 

Real (R$) against the U.S. dollar and 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. 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.

Route 

# Origin1 (reference city) Destination Distance2(miles)

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 % 

change 

2019-20 Freight price, US$/metric ton3

1 Northwest RS4 (Cruz Alta) Rio Grande 288 26.37 23.85 30.72 29.20 25.06 19.24 -23.2

2 North MT (Sorriso) Santos 1,190 86.04 75.49 92.95 91.76 79.28 60.65 -23.5

3 North MT (Sorriso) Paranaguá 1,262 85.68 74.42 89.41 90.20 75.78 59.87 -21.0

4 South GO (Rio Verde) Santos 587 39.82 34.66 44.22 43.25 37.34 28.48 -23.7

6 North Central PR (Londrina) Paranaguá 268 24.07 21.31 29.29 27.22 22.64 18.13 -19.9

11 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Santos 901 58.82 51.29 63.63 62.16 53.56 41.57 -22.4

27 North MT (Sorriso) Itaituba 672 41.70 41.72 59.65 56.27 46.64 31.72 -32.0

29 North MT (Sorriso) Santarém 876 58.12 49.60 55.08 58.86 52.04 39.20 -24.7

30 South MA (Balsas) São Luís 482 36.15 31.04 37.69 37.60 32.99 26.83 -18.7

31 Southwest PI (Bom Jesus) São Luís 606 43.04 34.23 44.44 46.52 39.34 29.81 -24.2

32 Southeast PA (Paragominas) Barcarena 249 19.82 17.93 25.00 22.39 20.12 15.20 -24.4

33 East TO (Campos Lindos) São Luís 842 56.78 50.55 61.69 56.94 50.55 37.72 -25.4

34 North MT (Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 --na-- --na-- --na-- 33.49 27.62 21.47 -22.3

35 Rondonópolis MT (Rail teminal)5 Santos 1019 --na-- --na-- --na-- 43.29 39.98 32.13 -19.6

36 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)6 Santarém 224 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na-- 14.67 9.17 -37.5

37 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)6 Barcarena 738 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na-- 18.85 14.68 -22.1

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

In Brazil, there are no 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.

6

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.

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

Truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export routes, US$/metric ton, 2015-20
14

Truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export routes, reais/metric ton, 2015-20

Route 

# Origin1 (reference city) Destination Distance2(miles)

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 % 

change 

Freight price, reais/metric ton 2019-20 3

1 Northwest RS4 (Cruz Alta) Rio Grande 288 87.26 83.70 97.91 106.15 98.63 98.34 -0.3

2 North MT (Sorriso) Santos 1,190 283.84 263.26 296.36 334.43 312.20 310.69 -0.5

3 North MT (Sorriso) Paranaguá 1,262 282.66 259.49 285.12 328.71 298.83 306.56 2.6

4 South GO (Rio Verde) Santos 587 130.98 121.33 140.95 157.35 146.75 145.87 -0.6

6 North Central PR (Londrina) Paranaguá 268 79.44 74.77 93.34 98.87 89.07 92.75 4.1

11 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Santos 901 193.85 179.27 202.86 226.32 210.83 212.84 1.0

27 North MT (Sorriso) Itaituba 672 137.56 145.97 190.01 204.53 183.26 162.06 -11.6

29 North MT (Sorriso) Santarém 876 190.47 174.02 175.70 214.29 204.53 200.87 -1.8

30 South MA (Balsas) São Luís 482 119.23 107.94 120.16 137.16 129.69 138.13 6.5

31 Southwest PI (Bom Jesus) São Luís 606 141.03 119.74 141.67 169.77 154.46 153.25 -0.8

32 Southeast PA (Paragominas) Barcarena 249 65.77 62.95 79.64 81.19 78.95 77.84 -1.4

33 East TO (Campos Lindos) São Luís 842 184.72 175.24 196.74 207.55 198.95 193.24 -2.9

34 North MT (Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 --na-- --na-- --na-- 121.48 108.61 109.95 1.2

35 Rondonópolis MT (Rail teminal)5 Santos 1019 --na-- --na-- --na-- 157.64 157.62 164.24 4.2

36 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)6 Santarém 224 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na-- 25.78 21.19 -17.8

37 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)6 Barcarena 738 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na-- 74.17 75.24 1.4

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

In Brazil, there are no 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.

6

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.

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

In 2020, ocean rates from the southern Brazilian ports, decreased on average about 2 percent to Hamburg, 

Germany, and 5 percent to Shanghai, China. 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.

Brazilian soybean ocean freight from Santos to Shanghai and Hamburg, 2020

Brazilian soybean ocean freight from selected ports to Shanghai, China, 2020

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

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

0.00

5.00

10.00

15.00

20.00

25.00

30.00

35.00

40.00

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

US$/metric ton

Santos-Shanghai

Santos-Hamburg

0.00

5.00

10.00

15.00

20.00

25.00

30.00

35.00

40.00

45.00

50.00

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

US$/metric ton

Santos

São Luís

Rio Grande
16

The cost to ship 1 mt of soybeans from Brazil to Hamburg, Germany, by oceangoing vessel decreased, on 

average, from $25.58/mt to $25.11/mt.

Ocean rates from Brazil to Hamburg, Germany, slightly decreased in 2020

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

The cost to ship 1 mt of soybeans from Brazil to Shanghai, by ocean vessel, decreased on average, from 

$34.15/mt in 2019 to $32.48/mt in 2020. 

Ocean rates from Brazil to Shanghai, China, decreased in 2020

0.00

5.00

10.00

15.00

20.00

25.00

30.00

35.00

Santos Paranagua Rio Grande

US$/metric ton

Port of origin

3-port average 2019: $25.58 2019 2020

3-port average 2020: $25.11

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

 5.00

 10.00

 15.00

 20.00

 25.00

 30.00

 35.00

 40.00

Santos Paranagua Rio Grande

US$/metric ton

Port of origin

2019 2020 3-port average 2019: $34.15

3-port average 2020: $32.48
17

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

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

farm gate prices 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.

Selected Brazilian farm prices, US$/metric ton, 2019-20

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

Source: Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB).

Selected Brazilian farm prices, reais/metric ton, 2019-20

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

Source: Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB).

RS MT GO PR PI PA MA

2019 1,206 1,127 1,150 1,194 1,168 1,214 1,172

2020 1,840 1,858 1,716 1,778 1,772 1,781 1,832

0.00

200.00

400.00

600.00

800.00

1,000.00

1,200.00

1,400.00

1,600.00

1,800.00

2,000.00

Reais/metric ton

+53% +65% +49% +49% +52% +47% +56%

RS MT GO PR PI PA MA

2019 305.56 285.35 291.46 302.61 295.87 307.90 297.05

2020 354.57 357.23 331.01 343.22 342.39 344.10 353.30

0.00

50.00

100.00

150.00

200.00

250.00

300.00

350.00

400.00

US$/metric ton

+16% +25% +14% +13% +16% +12% +19%
18

From 2019 to 2020, the Brazilian real depreciated nearly 31 percent against the U.S. dollar, from R$3.94 per 

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

Average quarterly exchange rate, real per U.S. dollar, 2018-20

Source: Banco Central do Brasil

Nearly half of Brazilian soybeans exports are moved by truck.

Trucks shipped most of Brazil’s soybeans to major export facilities, followed by rail, and barge. In contrast, in 

the United States, barges shipped most soybeans to major export facilities, followed by rail, and truck. Brazil 

continues to depend heavily on trucks to transport grain to major destinations. This dependence is ensured for 

some time, because of the long distances between major production regions and terminals for barge and rail, 

as well as limited rail and inland waterway infrastructure capacity. In Brazil, short-haul movements’ average 

distance is about 440 miles (707 kilometers (km)) from farm to rail and barge terminals. In the United States, 

the average distance from farm to inland elevators grain elevators terminals is about 25-100 miles.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th

2018 3.24 3.77 3.95 3.81

2019 3.77 3.92 3.97 4.11

2020 4.47 5.38 5.38 5.39

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

5.00

5.50

6.00

6.50

7.00

Reais per US$

Average 2019: 3.94

Average 2020: 5.15

Average 2018: 3.69

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

US-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.

Brazil U.S.

Truck 49 16

Rail 38 30

Barge 13 54

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Percentage share
19

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

28.6

23.5

31

27.3

38.4

25.2

22.0

28.6

25.6

40

26.6

24.7

29.3

25.1

33.6

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

South Southeast Center West Northeast North

Additional cost (%)

Brazil regions

2017 2018 2019

Average 2018: 26.7%

Average 2019: 28.5%

Average 2017: 27.7% 

According to estimates based on the 2019 Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT) survey of overall 

highway conditions in Brazil, because of the poor conditions of the paved roads, the 2019 marginal operational 

cost of cargo trucks was 28.5 percent higher than it would have been if the trucks had used only paved roads in 

optimal condition. Overall, the 2019 additional operational cargo cost (28.5 percent) was higher than in 2018 

(26.7 percent). This cost declined only in the North. For example, according to CNT, if the cost of shipping a 

metric ton of soybeans from Sorriso, North MT, to Santos was $100 per metric ton (mt), the 2019 optimal cost 

should have been $71.50/mt. 

Cost increases due to poor road pavement conditions, 2017-19
20

Transportation Infrastructure

Brazilian Minimum Freight Rates Law Update

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

the National Policy of Minimum Freight Rates Law for truck cargo transportation.4

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

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

cargo, such as a truck that carries fuel or gases and cannot return with another type cargo.

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

calculation of the minimum rate.

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

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

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

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

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

months.

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

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

in due time. Until then, the current law remains in force. In July 2021, the ANTT adjusted for inflation the 

minimum freight rates.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rates are published twice a year, on January 20 and July 20.5

 The minimum freight rates are adjusted every 6 

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

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

constitutionality of the law before the Brazil’s Supreme Court.

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

and the minimum freight rate table.

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

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

updated by the National Consumer Price Index (IPCA)—will be valid. 
21

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

Facilitate Exports of Agricultural Products

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

Bolsonaro’s Administration (ANTT and CNT): 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

railroad operate. 

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

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

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

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

These two states produce more than one third of Brazil’s total soybeans and, in 2020, accounted 

for 31 percent of total Brazil soybean exports. Despite being 124 miles (200 km) from São Simão, 

the terminal is now the closest one to the southwest Goiás’ producers. These two infrastructure 

investments facilitate the production flow from the largest agribusiness region in the country 

to the southern Port of Santos, bringing fertilizers in as backhaul. According to Rumo, this rail 

expansion offers an alternative route to Center-West producers that is 15-20 percent cheaper 

than current truck rates and even lower than barge rates through the Tietê-Paraná waterway.

In the first half of 2022, Rumo is planning to finish the last 180 miles (290 km) of the NorteSul Railroad between Rio Verde and Ouro Verde de Goiás. The previously constructed railroad 

section, ending in Tocantins, is already operating. Expected to be completed by the end of 2022, 

the Norte-Sul Railroad will be used to haul agricultural cargo from the north Goiás and south 

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

from Maranhão to the Southeast region. Currently, Rumo’s focus is on transporting grains, such 

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

fertilizer plant is already under construction in partnership with Andali—a joint venture with CHS 

Inc. (The largest U.S. agricultural cooperative). Expected to be ready by the first half of 2022, the 

plant will offer structures for cargo transportation and fertilizer mixing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

operations.
22

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

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

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

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

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

$2.5 billion (R$14 billion).6

 The concession is for 65 years. Public hearings and technical studies 

are complete. 

Current status: The Brazilian government announced that the auction for the construction and 

operation of the railroad will be held in the third quarter of 2021.

2. 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. For example, for the Sorriso, North 

Mato Grosso, to Itaituba route, the average freight rate was $38.44 per mt in the first half of 2021. 

With the new tolls, the rate would increase about 7.5 percent to $41.29/mt.

6 Exchange rate of 5.56846 real per U.S. dollar, April 28, 2020.
23

†Government plans.

*Because of rounding, 2019 shares do not sum exactly to 100.

Source: Brazil Ministry of Transportation, National Plan of Logistic & Transportation (PNLT) and Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT) 2019.

2019* 2025

Highways 61.1 30.0

Railways 20.7 35.0

Waterways 13.6 29.0

Others 5.0 6.0

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Percentage shaare

-31%

+14%

+15%

+1%

The Brazilian Government plans to change the current cargo transportation matrix by developing an 

integrated intermodal system, especially for exports. The improved infrastructure has contributed to higher 

production of corn and soybeans in major production regions. 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 a mere 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.

Brazil modal share for general cargo, 2019-25†
24

Tonnages and modal share for Brazil soybeans, 2010-2019

Year

Long-haul truck* Short-haul truck* Total 

soybeans

1,000 tons Percent

Rail Barge

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

Total

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Export

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Domestic

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

and National Supply Company (CONAB). 

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

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

USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
25

Transportation Indicators

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 the volumes hauled 

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

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

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
26

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 the volumes hauled 

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

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

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
27

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$/mt—

Truck 32.49 29.98 31.84 24.94 29.81 37.11 33.27 30.89 25.60 31.72

Barge4 - - - - - 16.42 14.36 14.45 13.49 14.68

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 92.03 75.96 81.67 75.76 81.35

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 371.27 344.90 412.10 496.64 406.23 374.62 363.48 449.56 566.66 438.58

Transport % of landed cost 18.6 16.9 16.3 12.2 16.0 24.6 20.9 18.2 13.4 19.2

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 the volumes hauled and 

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

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

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

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$/mt—

Truck 32.49 29.98 31.84 24.94 29.81 37.11 33.27 30.89 25.60 31.72

Barge4 - - - - - 16.42 14.36 14.45 13.49 14.68

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 77.53 62.63 65.84 60.84 66.71

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 356.77 334.07 401.77 487.27 394.97 360.12 350.15 433.73 551.74 423.93

Transport % of landed cost 15.3 14.2 14.1 10.5 13.6 21.5 17.9 15.2 11.0 16.4

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 the volumes hauled and 

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

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

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

Truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2020

Route # Origin1

(reference city) Destination Distance(miles)2

Share 

(%)3

Freight Price (US$)

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

 (per 100 miles)4

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

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 average6 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 teminal)7 Santos 1,019 3.70 3.00 3.04 2.87 3.15

36 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)8 Santarém 224 4.73 4.23 3.92 3.47 4.09

37 Itaituba PA (Barge terminal)8 Barcarena 738 2.23 1.95 1.96 1.83 1.99

1

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

2

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

3

Share is based on the quantity of production in the route’s mesoregion as that quantity relates to the total produced by all mesoregions considered 

in the project and not in relation to Brazil’s total production.

4

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

5

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

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

6

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

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

trucks (calculated monthly).

7

In Brazil, there are no 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.

8

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.
30

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

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

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

US$/mt /100 miles

Western Central PR to Paranaguá

North MT to Paranaguá

Southwest MS to Paranaguá

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.

$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
31

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

Oct-20

US$/mt/100 miles
32

Monthly Brazilian soybean export truck transportation cost index, 2013-20

Month Freight price* 

(per 100 miles)

Index variation (%) 

(Base: prior month)

Index value 

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

Index variation (%) 

(Base: prior month)

Index value 

(Base: Jan. 05 = 100)

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

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

monthly). 

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

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

Shanghai, China, 2013-20 (US$/metric ton)*

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

Santos 32.50 31.00 27.75 30.00 30.31

Paranaguá 32.00 32.00 28.75 31.00 30.94

Rio Grande 33.00 31.50 28.25 31.00 30.94

Santarém 38.50 35.50 31.25 34.00 34.81

São Luís 37.00 34.80 30.75 33.00 33.89

Barcarena 37.50 33.80 32.25 35.00 34.64

Port 1st qtr 2013 2nd qtr 2013 3rd qtr 2013 4th qtr 2013 2013 Average

Santos 52.34 34.50 34.50 42.50 40.96

Paranaguá 56.03 36.75 36.75 46.00 43.88

Rio Grande 51.34 35.25 35.25 44.25 41.52

Port 1st qtr 2014 2nd qtr 2014 3rd qtr 2014 4th qtr 2014 2014 Average

Santos 44.83 38.07 34.00 30.50 36.85

Paranagua 47.22 41.13 36.00 32.50 39.21

Rio Grande 44.83 38.75 32.50 30.50 36.65

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

Santos 29.50 22.50 23.25 20.00 23.81

Paranaguá 31.50 23.50 24.18 20.50 24.92

Rio Grande 29.50 25.00 25.75 21.00 25.31

Santarém 32.00 25.00 25.75 23.50 26.56

São Luís 32.00 25.00 25.75 23.50 26.56

Barcarena 32.00 25.00 25.75 23.50 26.56

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

Santos 17.50 16.50 12.50 20.00 16.63

Paranaguá 18.00 18.50 14.50 21.50 18.13

Rio Grande 18.50 17.00 13.00 20.50 17.25

Santarém 22.00 21.00 19.40 23.75 21.54

São Luís 20.00 18.40 17.50 22.00 19.48

Barcarena 22.50 21.50 20.00 23.75 21.94

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

Santos 18.50 29.00 30.00 30.00 26.88

Paranaguá 20.50 30.50 31.00 31.50 28.38

Rio Grande 18.00 29.50 31.00 30.70 27.30

Santarém 24.00 33.50 31.00 34.50 30.75

São Luís 23.50 30.25 31.00 33.50 29.56

Barcarena 24.00 33.50 31.00 34.50 30.75

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

Santos 32.25 30.92 33.25 38.17 33.65

Paranaguá 33.75 31.42 34.75 39.50 34.86

Rio Grande 31.58 30.25 30.58 39.67 33.94

Santarém 32.25 30.58 38.25 39.17 35.06

São Luís 31.00 30.58 38.25 39.42 34.81

Barcarena 32.25 29.92 38.25 39.42 34.96

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

Santos 35.50 27.08 31.33 31.67 31.40

Paranaguá 37.25 28.83 33.08 33.42 33.15

Rio Grande 37.00 28.58 32.83 33.17 32.90

Santarém 36.50 28.08 34.83 35.21 33.66

São Luís 36.75 28.33 35.33 35.67 34.02

Barcarena 38.50 28.33 36.33 36.67 34.96

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

shipped volume.

Note: qtr. = quarter.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
34

Quarterly ocean freight rates for shipping soybeans from selected Brazilian ports 

to Hamburg, Germany, 2013-20 (US$/metric ton)*

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

Santos 21.00 24.00 26.00 27.00 24.50

Paranaguá 22.00 25.00 27.00 28.00 25.50

Rio Grande 22.00 25.00 27.00 28.00 25.50

Santarém 21.00 23.60 25.00 26.00 23.90

São Luís 17.60 20.00 21.20 22.00 20.20

Barcarena 18.00 20.60 21.80 22.70 20.78

Port 1st qtr 2014 2nd qtr 2014 3rd qtr 2014 4th qtr 2014 2014 Average

Santos 31.00 30.00 26.00 24.00 27.75

Paranaguá 31.00 30.00 28.00 26.00 28.75

Rio Grande 31.00 30.00 24.50 22.50 27.00

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

Santos 22.00 21.00 19.00 17.00 19.75

Paranaguá 22.00 21.00 19.00 17.00 19.75

Rio Grande 22.00 21.00 19.00 17.00 19.75

Santarém 20.00 14.50 13.50 20.00 17.00

São Luís 20.00 18.25 16.38 20.50 18.78

Barcarena 20.00 16.00 15.20 21.00 18.05

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

Santos 16.00 17.00 16.50 23.00 18.13

Paranaguá 16.00 17.00 16.50 24.00 18.38

Rio Grande 16.00 17.00 16.50 23.00 18.13

Santarém 11.03 14.13 15.00 19.80 14.99

São Luís 8.25 11.00 11.80 15.80 11.71

Barcarena 9.60 12.45 13.20 17.35 13.15

Port 1st qtr 2013 2nd qtr 2013 3rd qtr 2013 4th qtr 2013 2013 Average

Santos 30.00 29.00 29.00 30.00 29.50

Paranaguá 30.00 29.00 29.00 30.00 29.50

Rio Grande 30.00 29.00 29.00 30.00 29.50

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

Santos 27.00 25.00 24.00 25.00 25.25

Paranaguá 28.00 26.00 25.00 26.00 26.25

Rio Grande 28.00 26.00 25.00 26.00 26.25

Santarém 25.00 22.90 22.50 23.00 23.35

São Luís 21.00 19.10 18.50 19.00 19.40

Barcarena 23.00 20.90 20.20 20.00 21.03

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

Santos 23.00 21.50 27.00 31.00 25.63

Paranaguá 23.00 21.25 27.00 30.75 25.50

Rio Grande 23.00 21.25 27.00 31.25 25.63

Santarém 21.00 20.25 25.92 26.50 23.42

São Luís 18.00 17.10 22.77 23.50 20.34

Barcarena 19.00 17.85 23.52 24.25 21.16

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

Santos 29.25 20.50 24.00 25.25 24.75

Paranaguá 30.00 21.50 25.00 25.35 25.46

Rio Grande 29.50 20.75 24.50 25.75 25.13

Santarém 25.00 16.00 20.75 22.00 20.94

São Luís 22.25 17.50 25.00 26.30 22.76

Barcarena 24.00 15.00 20.50 21.75 20.31

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

shipped volume.

Note: qtr. = quarter.

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

Soybean Production

Soybean production by state, 2019/20-2020/21

Region/State

Production*

2019-20

(1,000 mt)

Production**

2020-21

(1,000 mt)

% Change

2020-21

NORTH

Roraima (RR) 151.6 216.8 43.0

Rondônia (RO) 1,233.7 1,375.1 11.5

Acre (AC) 11.8 16.4 39.0

Amazonas (AM) 5.3 12.9 143.4

Amapá (AP) 59.3 12.8 -78.4

Pará (PA) 1,859.3 2,239.6 20.5

Tocantins (TO) 3,581.1 3,556.2 -0.7

Total 6,902.1 7,429.8 7.6

NORTHEAST

Maranhão (MA) 3,130.3 3,285.6 5.0

Piauí (PI) 2,562.8 2,742.3 7.0

Alagoas (AL) 4.5 8.3 84.4

Bahia (BA) 6,122.0 6,838.0 11.7

Total 11,819.6 12,874.2 8.9

CENTER-WEST

Mato Grosso (MT) 35,884.70 35,875.30 0.0

Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) 11,362.8 11,431.2 0.6

Goiás (GO) 13,159.4 13,723.2 4.3

Distrito Federal (DF) 290.6 292.0 0.5

Total 60,697.5 61,321.7 1.0

SOUTHEAST

Minas Gerais (MG) 6,172.4 7,021.7 13.8

São Paulo (SP) 3,958.7 4,299.4 8.6

Total 10,131.1 11,321.1 11.7

SOUTH

Paraná (PR) 21,598.1 19,880.1 -8.0

Santa Catarina (SC) 2,252.8 2,363.9 4.9

Rio Grande do Sul (RS) 11,443.6 20,787.5 81.7

Total 35,294.5 43,031.5 21.9

 TOTAL PRODUCTION 124,844.8 135,978.3 8.9

*Data based on calendar year, January-December

**Forecast, August 2021

Source: Companhia Nacional de abastecimento (CONAB).
36

Brazil soybean supply and distribution

Year*

Area harvested Beginning 

stocks Production Imports Total supply Exports Crush Domestic consumption

Ending 

stocks

1,000 hectares 1,000 metric tons

 2008/09 21,700 8,828 57,800 124 66,752 28,041 30,779 33,129 5,582

 2009/10 23,500 5,582 69,000 150 74,732 29,188 35,700 38,100 7,444

 2010/11 24,200 7,444 75,300 40 82,784 33,789 37,264 39,714 9,281

 2011/12 25,000 9,281 66,500 298 76,079 31,905 36,230 38,730 5,444

 2012/13 27,700 5,444 82,000 240 87,684 42,826 36,432 38,982 5,876

 2013/14 30,100 5,876 86,200 579 92,655 45,747 38,195 40,795 6,113

 2014/15 32,100 6,113 97,100 329 103,542 54,635 40,339 42,989 5,918

 2015/16 33,300 5,918 95,700 362 101,980 52,099 39,967 42,617 7,264

 2016/17 33,900 7,264 114,900 267 122,431 68,806 42,161 44,811 8,814

 2017/18 35,150 8,814 123,400 185 132,399 83,728 43,389 46,039 2,632

 2018/19 35,900 2,632 119,700 145 122,477 73,436 43,510 46,160 2,881

 2019/20 36,900 2,881 128,500 884 132,265 81,621 46,000 48,650 1,994

 2020/21 38,600 1,994 137,000 850 139,844 86,500 46,750 49,400 3,944

 2021/22** 40,400 3,944 144,000 656 148,600 94,300 47,700 50,350 3,950

*Data based on Brazil’s local February/January Marketing Year (MY).

Where February 2012 - January 2013 is the 2011/12 MY.

**Forecast, July 12, 2021

Source: USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service/Market and Trade Data/Reports/Oilseeds
37

Top 15 Brazilian 

soybean exporting states, 2018-20

State

2018 2019 2020

Rank

metric ton

Mato Grosso (MT) 19,954 20,228 22,326 1 

Paraná (PR) 12,983 9,620 13,404 2 

Rio Grande do Sul (RS) 13,271 11,619 8,466 3 

Goiás (GO) 6,206 4,696 7,318 4 

São Paulo (SP) 4,290 3,765 4,901 5 

Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) 5,198 3,279 4,796 6 

Minas Gerais (MG) 4,434 3,285 4,560 7 

Bahia (BA) 4,012 3,253 3,761 8 

Tocantins (TO) 2,528 2,214 2,554 9 

Maranhão (MA) 2,497 2,306 2,299 10 

Pará (PA) 1,423 1,509 2,227 11 

Santa Catarina (SC) 2,335 1,861 1,935 13 

Rondônia (RO) 1,048 1,115 1,244 12 

Piauí (PI) 1,527 1,176 1,188 14 

Distrito Federal (DF) 317 150 119 15 

Others 1,222 3,988 1,871

Total 83,247 74,064 82,968

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

Exports
38

Top five Brazilian soybean exporting states, 2018-20

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

Brazil average monthly soybean exports, 2017-20

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0

5

10

15

20

25

2018 2019 2020

Million metric ton

Mato Grosso (MT)

Paraná (PR)

Rio Grande do Sul (RS)

Goiás (GO)

São Paulo (SP)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

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

2017-19 2.0 5.2 11.7 13.4 14.8 12.5 10.8 8.4 6.0 5.6 5.2 4.3

2020 1.7 5.8 13.1 17.9 17.0 15.4 12.0 7.0 5.1 2.9 1.7 0.3

Percentage

2017-19 2020
39

Main export routes for soybeans

1

World Wildlife Fund.

2

Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics—Produção Agricola Municipal.

Source: USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
40

World export routes for Brazilian soybeans

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

Top five Brazilian soybean-export destinations, 2018-20

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

China The Netherlands Spain Thailand Turkey

Million metric ton

2018 2019 2020
41

In 2020, Brazil was the leading soybean exporter, followed by the United States, Paraguay, Argentina, and 

Canada. USDA forecasts that Brazil will sustain its leadership position in 2021.

Top five world soybean-exporting countries, 2018/19-2021/22*

*Forecast July 12, 2021.

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

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

 Brazil

 United States

 Paraguay

 Argentina

 Canada

 Other

(Million metric tons)

2018/19 2019/20 2021/22*
42

Exports to China

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). Over 90 percent of Brazilian 

soybean exports to China in 2020 originated from Paraná, Mato Grosso, Rio Grande do Sul, Goiás, Mato Grosso 

do Sul, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Santa Catarina, and Tocantins.

Brazil average monthly soybean exports to China, 2017-20

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

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

2017-19 2.2 5.2 11.4 12.6 13.9 12.0 10.6 8.6 6.3 6.3 6.1 4.9

2020 1.7 5.7 13.4 17.5 16.6 14.7 12.3 7.3 5.5 3.3 1.9 0.1

Percentage

2017-19 2020
43

Top 15 Brazilian soybean exporting states to China, 2018-20

State

2018 2019 2020

Rank

metric ton

Paraná 12,252,933 8,553,610 12,122,956 1

Mato Grosso 12,743,315 12,487,191 11,465,981 2

Rio Grande do Sul 12,900,416 11,177,365 8,101,550 3

Goiás 5,387,269 3,910,109 6,263,894 4

Mato Grosso do Sul 4,315,265 2,490,965 3,917,124 5

São Paulo 3,793,637 3,282,430 3,842,195 6

Minas Gerais 3,271,399 2,568,900 3,544,637 7

Bahia 3,817,777 2,698,728 2,800,965 8

Santa Catarina 2,226,527 1,636,180 1,775,530 9

Tocantins 2,040,447 1,691,598 1,706,796 10

Maranhão 2,067,352 1,746,621 1,565,424 11

Piauí 1,411,692 995,313 888,244 13

Pará 806,366 777,540 882,740 12

Distrito Federal 296,401 130,524 94,106 14

Rondônia 141,332 121,827 29,830 15

Others 1,084,496 3,694,577 1,593,878

Brazil exports to China 68,556,623 57,963,480 60,595,851

Brazil total exports 83,246,812 74,063,633 82,968,242

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.
44

Top 15 Mato Grosso soybean exports destinations, 2018-20

State

2018 2019 2020

% share Rank

metric ton

China 12,743,315 12,487,191 11,465,981 51.4 1

The Netherlands 840,285 1,010,715 2,095,566 9.4 2

Spain 1,208,445 1,146,825 1,603,747 7.2 3

Turkey 884,021 875,285 1,336,095 6.0 4

Thailand 495,137 551,291 848,095 3.8 5

Mexico 272,165 497,229 645,568 2.9 6

Italy 150,244 185,594 433,328 1.9 7

Russia 161,164 595,929 353,948 1.6 8

United Kingdom 297,400 133,099 362,402 1.6 9

Norway 270,688 346,394 300,565 1.3 10

Pakistan 187,837 224,425 341,444 1.5 11

Iran 503,935 747,222 315,435 1.4 12

South Korea 109,853 31,585 244,786 1.1 13

Tunisia 139,760 173,451 220,514 1.0 14

Vietnam 83,525 137,621 215,653 1.0 15

Others 1,606,266 1,084,523 1,543,108 6.9

Mato Grosso total 19,954,041 20,228,380 22,326,237 100.0

2018 2019 2020

MT % share of Brazil exports to China 18.6 21.5 18.9

Brazil exports to China 68,556,623 57,963,480 60,595,851

Brazil total exports 83,246,812 74,063,633 82,968,242

China % share of Brazil total exports 82.4 78.3 73.0

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia. 
45

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 in 2020. The 

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

Total Brazilian soybean exports by port to China, 2018-20

Ports

2018 2019 2020

metric ton

Santos 17,601,053 14,433,778 17,392,177

Paranaguá 14,056,376 10,542,592 13,378,303

Rio Grande 13,391,121 12,764,079 8,949,582

São Luís 6,982,873 6,271,719 6,239,866

São Francisco do Sul 5,252,417 3,852,101 5,239,528

Subtotal 57,283,841 47,864,269 51,199,456

Others 11,272,781 10,099,211 9,396,395

Total exports to China 68,556,623 57,963,480 60,595,851

Brazil total exports 83,246,812 74,063,633 82,968,242

Ports

2018 2019 2020

% share of exports to China

Santos 25.7 24.9 28.7 

Paranaguá 20.5 18.2 22.1 

Rio Grande 19.5 22.0 14.8 

São Luís 10.2 10.8 10.3 

São Francisco do Sul 7.7 6.6 8.6 

Subtotal 83.6 82.6 84.5 

Others 16.4 17.4 15.5

Total exports to China 100.0 100.0 100.0

Ports

2018 2019 2020

% share of Brazil total exports

Santos 21.1 19.5 21.0 

Paranaguá 16.9 14.2 16.1 

Rio Grande 16.1 17.2 10.8 

São Luís 8.4 8.5 7.5 

São Francisco do Sul 6.3 5.2 6.3 

Subtotal 68.8 64.6 61.7 

Others 13.5 13.6 11.3 

Total exports to China 82.4 78.3 73.0 

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.
46

Brazil soybean exports to China by port, 2019-20

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0

Santos

Paranaguá

Rio Grande

São Luís

São Francisco do Sul

Vitória

Barcarena/Belém

Salvador

Imbitituba

Santarém

Manaus

Percentage

2019 2020
47

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Itaquí/Sâo Luís - Ponta de Madeira, 

Maranhão Northeast Good Hope Shanghai, China 11,708 34.2

Itaquí/Sâo Luís - Ponta de Madeira, 

Maranhão Northeast Panama Canal Shanghai, China 11,087 33

Itaquí/Sâo Luís - Ponta de Madeira, 

Maranhão Northeast Direct Hamburg, Germany 4,361 13

Santarém, Pará**

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

Santarém, Pará**

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

Santarém, Pará**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Vessel speed: 14 knots.

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

Source: http://sea-distances.com/ and 1Ports.com.
48

In 2020, China was the major destination for Brazilian soybeans through the port of Santos, Brazil’s largest 

soybean-exporting port. The next-largest destinations (in descending order) were Thailand, Taiwan, South 

Korea, and Vietnam. The peak of soybean shipments to China from Santos usually occurs from March to 

May. Forty-two percent of the soybean exports, through Santos, originated from Mato Grosso, followed (in 

descending order) by Goiás, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Mato Grosso do Sul.

Port of Santos soybean exports by country, 2019-20

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

Port of Santos soybean average monthly exports to China, 2017-20

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0 20 40 60 80 100

China

Thailand

Taiwan

South Korea

Vietnam

Percentage

2019 2020

0

5

10

15

20

25

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

2017-19 1.2 9.8 18.2 17.0 19.2 14.2 9.7 4.1 1.9 1.4 1.5 1.8

2020 0.8 11.3 19.3 21.2 20.6 16.0 8.1 2.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Percentage
49

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

percent, followed by Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Bangladesh. Typically, soybean shipments to China through 

the port of Rio Grande peak from April to July. About 90 percent of the soybean exports through the Port of 

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

order) from the following ports: Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul, Bahia, Santa Catarina, and Mato Grosso.

Port of Rio Grande soybean average monthly exports to China, 2017-20

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

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

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

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

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

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

Port of Paranaguá soybean average monthly exports to China, 2017-20

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0

5

10

15

20

25

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

2017-19 2.9 1.5 4.3 10.3 13.6 9.0 10.8 11.2 9.9 9.9 8.8 7.8

2020 2.2 1.5 5.8 18.1 20.6 16.4 18.2 10.7 5.8 0.7 0.0 0.0

Percentage

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

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

2017-19 7.2 7.7 13.4 10.5 9.9 7.6 8.8 6.5 8.3 8.9 5.1 6.1

2020 17.0 13.2 12.2 11.4 10.5 9.9 9.0 6.3 5.0 3.1 2.2 0.3

Percentage
50

China was top Brazilian soybean export destination through the Port of São Luís, accounting for nearly 71 

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

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

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

soybean exports and 10 percent of exports to China. The next-highest levels of exports (in descending order) in 

the northeast were from the following ports: Barcarena, Vitória, and Salvador. These four ports accounted for 

nearly 25 percent of the total exports to China. About 53 percent of exports of the port of São Luís originated 

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

from Mato Grosso, Piauí, Bahia, and Pará.

Port of São Luís average monthly soybean exports to China, 2017-20

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

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

2017-19 10.5 8.6 12.8 12.7 9.6 11.1 10.2 8.0 4.4 6.0 4.0 2.1

2020 2.9 1.6 12.2 15.3 14.3 15.5 14.6 5.9 8.2 6.7 2.4 0.4

Percentage
51

Transportation Modes

Brazilian ports

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

Ports

Sea port

River port

Survey port*

*Brazilian port where cargo data are 

collected. These ports are responsible 

for more than 98% of the Brazilian cargo 

movement.
52

Major rivers of the Amazonian Basin

 Source: National Agency for Waterway Transportation (ANTAQ).

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

are commercially navigated.

Brazil waterway system

Extension Miles

River-lake surface water 39,146 

National river network 27,340 

Naturally navigable waterways 25,970 (100%) 

Commercial navigations 12,094 (47%) 

Sources: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT 2019) and National Agency for Waterway Transporation (ANTAQ 2016).
53

Brazilian port installations

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

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

Sources: Agência Nacional de Transportes Aquaviários (ANTAQ).
54

Brazilian river basins

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

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

area of the Brazilian basins. The Paraguay Basin serves Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Its 

navigable portion is comparable with the Mississippi River in the United States and the Rhine River in Europe.

Source: Ministério dos Transportes, Brazil.

Amazônica Basin

Northeast Basin

Tocantins Araguaia 

Basin

São Francisco 

Basin

East Basin

South Basin

Paraguay Basin

Tietê-Paraná Basin
55

Brazilian commercial inland waterways

 Source: Agência Nacional de Transportes Aquavárious.
56

Major Brazilian highways

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte.
57

The Brazilian highway system extends 968,863 miles (1,562,682 kilometers), with nearly 14 percent paved. The 

U.S. highway system consists of 4,124,867 miles (6,638,313 kilometers), with 70 percent paved.

Brazil highway system, 2019

Miles % Paved % Unpaved

Federal 46,961 86 14 

State and county 921,902 10 90 

Total (federal + state and county) 968,863 

All roads 14 86 

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

U.S. highway system, 2019

Extension1 (in miles) % Paved2 % Unpaved2

Rural 2,898,307 59 41 

Urban 1,226,560 97 3 

Total 4,124,867 70 30 

1

Includes the 50 States, Puerto Rico (data may be incomplete), and the District of Columbia. Some differences from other tables may be noted 

because these are estimated from sample and summary data; some States may have missing/incomplete data.

2

Paved includes the following categories: Bituminous (bituminous asphalt-concrete (AC) overlaid on existing AC pavement); Concrete (jointed 

plain concrete pavement (JPCP), jointed reinforced concrete pavement (JRCP), continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP); unbonded 

jointed concrete overlaid on PCC pavement, bonded PCC overlaid on PCC pavement, other (includes “whitetopping”)); and Composite (AC 

overlaid on jointed concrete pavement, AC (bituminous overlaid on existing CRCP).

Source: Highway Statistics 2018. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics (Washington, DC: 

Annual Issues).
58

Brazilian highways

The 2019 Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT) survey of the overall highway conditions in Brazil shows 

that 41 percent of the roads ranged from good to excellent in 2019 (compared to 43 percent in 2018). Still, 59 

percent ranged from acceptable to very bad. The survey also shows that 49 percent of the paved roads were 

in good to excellent condition; 48.1 percent of traffic road signs had problems; and 85.4 percent of the paved 

roads had only two lanes. The survey sample of paved roads increased 1.6 percent, from 66,440 miles in 2018 

to 67,495 miles in 2019.

Brazilian highway conditions, 2017-19

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

Brazilian paved highway conditions, 2017-19

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

8.9 11.6 11.9

29.3

31.4 29.1

33.6

35.2 34.6

20.1

15.3 17.5

8.1 6.5 6.9

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2017 2018 2019

Very Bad

Bad

Acceptable

Good

Excellent

38.2 % 43% 41%

57% 61.8% 59%

40.3 42.3 38.6

9.7 6.8 9.0

34.0 37.0 35.5

13.2 9.5 13.7

2.8 4.4 3.7

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2017 2018 2019

Very Bad

Bad

Acceptable

Good

Excellent

52.4%

47.6%

51%

49%

50%

50%
59

Brazilian road sign conditions, 2017-19

Source: Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT).

9.8 15.2 14.0

31.0

40.1 37.9

32.0

24.5 26.1

14.1

10.0 11.6

13.2 10.2 10.4

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2017 2018 2019

Very Bad

Bad

Acceptable

Good

Excellent

55.3%

48.1%

51.9%

59.2%

40.8%

44.7%
60

Brazilian railway expansion: ongoing projects

The Brazilian railroad system consists of 12 railroads, with an extension of 18,943 miles, mostly concentrated in 

the South, Southeast, and Northeast. 

Source: Agência Nacional de Transportes Terrestres (ANTT).
61

Brazilian rail system: gauge sizes

The gauge system (distance between two rails) varies by region, creating difficulties in integrating the system 

in regions like North America, which uses a standard gauge. There are three types of gauges: metric (39”), 

broad (63”), and mixed (39”- 63”). The metric gauge accounts for 76 percent of total Brazilian rail miles and 

predominates in the Southern region. The broad gauge accounts for 22 percent of total railroads and prevails 

in the Southeast region, leaving about 2 percent as mixed gauge.

Source: Grupo de Pesquisa e Extensão em Logística Agroindustrial (ESALQ-LOG)/University of São Paulo, Brazil, based on data from the Agência 

Nacional de Transportes Terrestres (ANTT) 2018.
62

Reference Material

Quarterly costs of transporting U.S. soybeans to Hamburg, Germany, via U.S. Gulf, 2020

Minneapolis, Minnesota (US$/mt)

2020

1st qtr

2020

2nd qtr

2020

3rd qtr

2020

4th qtr

2020

Average

Truck 10.70 9.70 12.38 11.38 11.04

Rail1 36.73 - - - 36.73

Barge2 9.02 24.29 29.89 41.35 26.14

Ocean3 14.82 13.18 19.41 19.02 16.61

Total transportation 71.27 47.17 61.68 71.75 62.97

Farm price4 289.79 299.71 331.43 364.86 321.45

Landed cost5 361.06 346.88 393.11 436.61 384.42

Transport % of landed cost 19.7 13.6 15.7 16.4 16.4

Davenport, Iowa (US$/mt)

2020

1st qtr

2020

2nd qtr

2020

3rd qtr

2020

4th qtr

2020

Average

Truck 10.70 9.70 12.38 11.38 11.04

Rail1 33.03 - - - 33.03

Barge2 9.02 17.30 21.58 32.31 20.05

Ocean3 14.82 13.18 19.41 19.02 16.61

Total transportation 67.57 40.18 53.37 62.71 55.96

Farm price4 315.02 305.10 322.85 377.11 330.02

Landed cost5 382.59 345.28 376.22 439.82 385.98

Transport % of landed cost 17.7 11.6 14.2 14.3 14.4

1

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

the rail tariff rate plus fuel surcharge shown in the table.

2

The Mississippi River closes from Minneapolis to just north of St. Louis during mid-December to late March.

3

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

4

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

5

Landed cost is transportation cost plus farm price.

Note: qtr. = quarter; yr. = year; mt = metric ton; total may not add exactly due to rounding.

Source: Compiled by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
63

Quarterly costs of transporting U.S. soybeans to Shanghai, China, via U.S. Gulf, 2020

Minneapolis, Minnesota (US$/mt)

2020

1st qtr

2020

2nd qtr

2020

3rd qtr

2020

4th qtr

2020

Average

Truck 10.70 9.70 12.38 11.38 11.04

Rail1 36.73 - - - 36.73

Barge2 9.02 24.29 29.89 41.35 26.14

Ocean3 41.98 35.40 42.14 40.79 40.08

Total transportation 98.43 69.39 84.41 93.52 86.44

Farm price4 289.79 299.71 331.43 364.86 321.45

Landed cost5 388.22 369.10 415.84 458.38 407.89

Transport % of landed cost 25.4 18.8 20.3 20.4 21.2

Davenport, Iowa (US$/mt)

2020

1st qtr

2020

2nd qtr

2020

3rd qtr

2020

4th qtr

2020

Average

Truck 10.70 9.70 12.38 11.38 11.04

Rail1 33.03 - - - 33.03

Barge2 9.02 17.30 21.58 32.31 20.05

Ocean3 41.98 35.40 42.14 40.79 40.08

Total transportation 94.73 62.40 76.10 84.48 79.43

Farm price4 315.02 305.10 322.85 377.11 330.02

Landed cost5 409.75 367.50 398.95 461.59 409.45

Transport % of landed cost 23.1 17.0 19.1 18.3 19.4

1

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

the rail tariff rate plus fuel surcharge shown in the table.

2

The Mississippi River closes from Minneapolis to just north of St. Louis during mid-December to late March.

3

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

4

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

5

Landed cost is transportation cost plus farm price.

Note: qtr. = quarter; yr. = year; mt = metric ton; total may not add exactly due to rounding.

Source: Compiled by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
64

Quarterly costs of transporting U.S. soybeans to Shanghai, China, via PNW, 2020

Fargo, North Dakota (US$/mt)

2020

1st qtr

2020

2nd qtr

2020

3rd qtr

2020

4th qtr

2020

Average

Truck 10.70 9.70 12.38 11.38 11.04

Rail1 57.10 57.10 57.10 57.10 57.10

Ocean2 22.28 18.20 22.37 22.65 21.38

Total transportation 90.08 85.00 91.85 91.13 89.52

Farm price3 288.44 278.03 305.83 352.13 306.11

Landed cost4 378.52 363.03 397.68 443.26 395.62

Transport % of landed cost 23.8 23.4 23.1 20.6 22.7

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (US$/mt)

2020

1st qtr

2020

2nd qtr

2020

3rd qtr

2020

4th qtr

2020

Average

Truck 10.70 9.70 12.38 11.38 11.04

Rail1 58.09 58.09 58.09 58.09 58.09

Ocean2 22.28 18.20 22.37 22.65 21.38

Total transportation 91.07 85.99 92.84 92.12 90.51

Farm price3 304.97 290.40 310.36 356.29 315.51

Landed cost4 396.04 376.39 403.20 448.41 406.01

Transport % of landed cost 23.0 22.8 23.0 20.5 22.4

1

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

the rail tariff rate plus fuel surcharge shown in the table.

2

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

3

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

4

Landed cost is transportation cost plus farm price.

Note: qtr. = quarter; yr. = year; mt = metric ton; total may not add exactly due to rounding.

Source: Compiled by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
65

Average quarterly exchange rate, 2014-20

Quarter Real per US$

1st 2.2735

2nd 2.2296

3rd 2.2745

4th 2.5437

2014 Average 2.3303

1st 2.8637

2nd 3.0722

3rd 3.5480

4th 3.8426

2015 Average 3.3316

1st 3.8999

2nd 3.5076

3rd 3.2912

4th 3.2953

2016 Average 3.4985

1st 3.1429

2nd 3.2137

3rd 3.1639

4th 3.2506

2017 Average 3.1928

1st 3.2425

2nd 3.7732

3rd 3.9505

4th 3.8084

2018 Average 3.6936

1st 3.7684

2nd 3.9221

3rd 3.9736

4th 4.1144

2019 Average 3.9446

1st 4.4651

2nd 5.3848

3rd 5.3766

4th 5.3915

2020 Average 5.1545

Source:Banco Central do Brasil
66

Selected quarterly Brazilian farm prices, 2016-20 (US$/metric ton)

Quarter Rio Grande 

do Sul

Mato 

Grosso Goiás Paraná Piauí Pará Maranhão

1st 308.73 268.28 278.59 298.84 281.05 264.90 310.69 

2nd 358.57 347.59 337.86 353.78 342.05 329.13 378.45 

3rd 373.12 367.25 359.07 362.80 378.98 384.42 447.42 

4th 352.69 344.51 341.08 347.53 377.05 355.82 370.99 

2016 Avg 348.28 331.91 329.15 340.74 344.78 333.57 376.89 

1st 347.99 314.10 332.40 344.08 210.49 362.30 356.01

2nd 302.06 275.60 281.73 304.50 304.16 313.78 327.17

3rd 317.17 288.62 291.58 313.53 306.34 324.84 340.58

4th 321.99 296.10 302.26 324.03 311.19 339.05 349.81

2017 Avg 322.30 293.60 301.99 321.54 283.05 334.99 343.39

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

Rio Grande 

do Sul

Mato 

Grosso Goiás Paraná Piauí Pará Maranhão

1st 334.43 305.85 318.87 338.61 321.69 344.84 357.97

2nd 343.90 323.46 313.65 347.41 320.70 343.23 342.78

3rd 326.13 301.39 302.33 330.85 290.62 323.15 305.07

4th 328.39 293.43 314.40 319.39 292.04 344.82 326.30

2018 Avg 333.21 306.03 312.31 334.06 306.26 339.01 333.03

1st 308.52 275.38 296.01 304.16 292.96 317.97 298.43

2nd 294.72 271.70 281.40 292.33 285.28 294.15 278.70

3rd 304.20 286.87 286.67 300.23 288.35 303.50 300.20

4th 314.81 307.47 301.77 313.72 316.88 316.00 310.87

2019 Avg 305.56 285.35 291.46 302.61 295.87 307.90 297.05

1st 300.04 282.59 285.74 301.23 302.03 302.01 300.23

2nd 297.17 287.53 262.95 285.62 286.59 283.28 294.95

3rd 367.58 367.89 333.43 343.91 344.92 346.83 359.63

4th 453.49 490.89 441.91 442.13 436.03 444.28 458.37

2020 Avg 354.57 357.23 331.01 343.22 342.39 344.10 353.30

Source: Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB) www.conab.gov.br
67

Photo Credits

Photo credits: 

1) USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and 

USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). 

2) USDA

3) ESALQ-log

4) The Assesoria de Comunicação dos Portos de 

Paranaguá e Antonina (ASSCOM-APPA)

5) ESALQ-log