1

United States Department of Agriculture

Brazil Soybean Transportation

a quarterly publication of the Agricultural Marketing Service 

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

First Quarter 2019 (January, February, March)

Published May 31, 2019

Transportation Costs Decrease, Soybean Exports Strong, and 

Currency Weakened

The cost of shipping a metric ton (mt) of soybeans, 100 miles by truck, 

decreased by about 13 percent from $8.94 per mt in the first quarter of 

2018, to $7.75 per mt in 2019’s first quarter (table 8). Ocean freight rates 

declined because of lower Chinese iron ore imports and the collapse of a 

mine-waste dam in southeastern Brazil that disrupted Brazilian iron supply 

(Wall Street Journal and Grain Transportation Report). On average, ocean 

rates fell about 16 percent for the Brazil-Hamburg, Germany route, as well 

as for the North and Northeastern route to Shanghai, China. Ocean rates 

to Shanghai, China, from the southern Brazilian ports of Santos and Rio 

Grande, declined 0.8-4.3 percent from the first quarter of 2018 (tables 1, 

1a, and 9). In Sorriso, North MT (the largest Brazilian soybean-producing 

state), transportation costs represented 29 percent of the total landed 

costs of shipping soybeans to Shanghai through Santos, and 25 percent 

Contents

Transportation Costs Decrease, 

Soybean Exports Strong, 

and Currency Weakened 1

Brazil Soybean 

Transportation Indicators 7

Contact Information 19

Data Sets 19

Subscription Information 19

Related Websites 19

Figure 1. Southern ports 

exported 65 percent 

of Brazilian soybeans, 

January-April 2019

Data Sources: IBGE – Produção Agricola 

Municipal, ESRI, Lloyd’s Ports, and 

World Wildlife Fund.

Map Produced by USDA/FAS/OGA/IPAD
2

Brazil Soybean Transportation

through the port of Santarém (tables 1 and 1a). In the first quarter of 2019, shipping soybeans cost $20.06 per 

mt more by truck than rail, from Sorriso, North MT to Shanghai, China, through the Port of Santos (table 1). 

Sorriso is located 1,190 miles from the Port of Santos by truck, and 1,401 miles by rail (table 7). 

During the first quarter of 2019, Brazil exported record soybean volumes, mostly to China, through the Ports 

of Santos, Paranaguá, São Luis, Barcarena, Rio Grande, Vitoria, Santarem and São Francisco do Sul (figure 1). 

Total soybean exports increased nearly 23 percent to 16.3 million metric tons (mmt) compared with 13.3 mmt 

exported in the first quarter of 2018 (Secretariat of Foreign Trade (SECEX), MDIC). 

The Brazilian real (R$) depreciated 16 percent against the U.S. dollar, to R$3.77 per US$1.00 from R$3.24 

in 2018’s first quarter. This is a 2 percent decrease from the 2018 average of R$3.69 per US$1.00. Average 

soybean export prices decreased to $368 per mt from $394 at the same time last year. The weakening of 

the Brazilian real against the U.S. dollar partially offset the nearly 10 percent fall in farm gate prices, when 

measured in U.S. dollars (CONAB). Soybeans are priced in U.S. dollars but paid in Reais. Farm prices measured 

in Reais increased, on average, nearly 5 percent. 

China is Brazil’s major soybean buyer, accounting for 75 percent of total exports, followed by Spain, Iran, the 

Netherlands, and Turkey. From January to April, China bought 19.7 million mt of Brazilian soybeans, valued at 

US$7.1 billion (SECEX, MDIC). The southern ports of Santos, Paranaguá, Rio Grande, and São Francisco do Sul 

accounted for nearly 65 percent of total soybean exports and 74 percent of exports to China (figure 1). The 

Northeastern ports of São Luís, Vitoria, Barcarena, and Salvador accounted for 23 percent of total Brazilian 

soybeans exports and about the same proportion of soybean exports to China. The Northern ports of Santarém 

and Manaus represented 11 percent of total Brazilian soybean exports and nearly 3 percent of exports to 

China. For more information, contact Delmy L. Salin at delmy.salin@usda.gov.
3

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 1. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports to 

Shanghai, China

2018 1st

 qtr

2019 1st

qtr

% Change 

2018-2019

2018 1st 

qtr

2019 1st

qtr

% Change 

2018-2019

North MT1 - Santos2 

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 93.44 81.92 -12.3 31.51 26.05 -17.3

Ocean 32.50 32.25 -0.8 33.00 31.58 -4.3

Total transportation 125.94 114.17 -9.4 64.51 57.63 -10.7

Farm gate price3 305.85 275.38 -10.0 334.43 308.52 -7.7

Landed cost 431.80 389.54 -9.8 398.94 366.15 -8.2

Transport % of landed cost 29.2 29.3 0.5 16.2 15.7 -2.7

North MT1 - Santos2

BY RAIL

—US$/mt—

South GO1 - Santos2

—US$/mt—

Truck 39.07 29.89 -23.5 92.46 71.05 -23.2

Rail4 - Santos 46.94 41.21 -12.2 - - -

Ocean 32.50 32.25 -0.8 32.00 33.75 5.5

Total transportation 118.51 103.36 -12.8 124.46 104.80 -15.8

Farm gate price3 305.85 275.38 -10.0 305.85 275.38 -10.0

Landed cost 424.36 378.73 -10.8 430.31 380.18 -11.7

Transport % of landed cost 27.9 27.3 -2.3 28.9 27.6 -4.7

1

Producing regions: RS = Rio Grande Do Sul, MT= Mato Grosso, GO = Goiás

2

Export ports

3

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

4

Note: In 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 of contracts signed between the railroad company and shippers (Source: ESALQ-LOG, 2018).

Source: ESALQ/ USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS.
4

Brazil Soybean Transportation

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

northeastern ports to Shanghai, China

2018 1st

qtr

2019 1st

qtr

% Change 

2018-2019

2018 1st 

qtr

2019 1st 

qtr

% Change 

2018-2019

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 61.09 59.40 -2.8 36.57 37.04 1.3

Ocean 38.50 32.25 -16.2 37.00 31.00 -16.2

Total transportation 99.59 91.65 -8.0 73.57 68.04 -7.5

Farm gate price3 305.85 275.38 -10.0 357.97 298.43 -16.6

Landed cost 405.44 367.03 -9.5 431.54 366.47 -15.1

Transport % of landed cost 24.6 25.0 1.7 17.0 18.6 8.9

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 44.28 45.24 2.2

Ocean 37.00 31.00 -16.2

Total transportation 81.28 76.24 -6.2

Farm gate price3 321.69 292.96 -8.9

Landed cost 402.97 369.20 -8.4

Transport % of landed cost 20.2 20.7 2.4

1

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

2

Export ports

3

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

Source: ESALQ/ USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS
5

Brazil Soybean Transportation

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

Hamburg, Germany

2018 1st

qtr

2019 1st 

qtr

% Change 

2018-2019

2018 1st

qtr

2019 1st 

qtr

% Change 

2018-2019

North MT1 - Santos2 

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 93.44 81.92 -12.3 31.51 26.05 -17.3

Ocean 27.00 23.00 -14.8 28.00 23.00 -17.9

Total transportation 120.44 104.92 -12.9 59.51 49.05 -17.6

Farm gate price3 305.85 275.38 -10.0 334.43 308.52 -7.7

Landed cost 426.30 380.29 -10.8 393.94 357.57 -9.2

Transport % of landed cost 28.3 27.6 -2.4 15.1 13.7 -9.2

North MT1 - Santos2

BY RAIL

—US$/mt—

South GO1 - Santos2

—US$/mt—

Truck 39.07 29.89 -23.5 92.46 71.05 -23.2

Rail4 - Santos 46.94 41.21 -12.2 - - -

Ocean 27.00 23.00 -14.8 28.00 23.00 -17.9

Total transportation 113.01 94.11 -16.7 120.46 94.05 -21.9

Farm gate price3 305.85 275.38 -10.0 305.85 275.38 -10.0

Landed cost 418.86 369.48 -11.8 426.31 369.43 -13.3

Transport % of landed cost 27.0 25.5 -5.6 28.3 25.5 -9.9

1

Producing regions: RS = Rio Grande Do Sul, MT= Mato Grosso, GO = Goiás

2

Export ports

3

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

4

Note: In 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 of contracts signed between the railroad company and shippers (Source: ESALQ-LOG, 2018).

Source: ESALQ/ USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS
6

Brazil Soybean Transportation

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

northeastern ports to Hamburg, Germany

2018 1st

qtr

2019 1st

qtr

% Change 

2018-2019

2018 1st

qtr

2019 1st

qtr

% Change 

2018-2019

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 61.09 59.40 -2.8 36.57 37.04 1.3

Ocean 25.00 21.00 -16.0 21.00 18.00 -14.3

Total transportation 86.09 80.40 -6.6 57.57 55.04 -4.4

Farm gate price3 305.85 275.38 -10.0 357.97 298.43 -16.6

Landed cost 391.94 355.78 -9.2 415.54 353.47 -14.9

Transport % of landed cost 22.0 22.6 2.9 13.9 15.6 12.4

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 44.28 45.24 2.2

Ocean 21.00 18.00 -14.3

Total transportation 65.28 63.24 -3.1

Farm gate price3 321.69 292.96 -8.9

Landed cost 386.97 356.20 -8.0

Transport % of landed cost 16.9 17.8 5.2

1

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

2

Export ports

3

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

Source: ESALQ/ USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS
7

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Figure 2. Routes1 and regions considered in the 

Brazilian soybean export transportation indicator2

Brazil Soybean Transportation Indicators

1

Table defining routes by number is shown on page 12

2

Regions comprised about 80 percent of Brazilian soybean production, 2017

Source: ESALQ/ USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS
8

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 3. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Shanghai, China

—2019—

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 81.92 81.92 71.05 71.05

Ocean 32.25 32.25 33.75 33.75

Total transportation 114.17 114.17 104.80 104.80

Farm gate price3 275.38 275.38 275.38 275.38

Landed cost 389.54 389.54 380.18 380.18

Transport % of landed cost 29.3 29.3 27.6 27.6

North MT1 - Santos2

BY RAIL

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 29.89 29.89 26.05 26.05

Rail4 - Santos 41.21 41.21 - -

Ocean 32.25 32.25 31.58 31.58

Total transportation 103.36 103.36 57.63 57.63

Farm gate price3 275.38 275.38 308.52 308.52

Landed cost 378.73 378.73 366.2 366.15

Transport % of landed cost 27.3 27.3 15.7 15.7

1

Producing regions: RS = Rio Grande Do Sul, MT= Mato Grosso,GO = Goiás, PR = Paraná 

2

Export ports

3

Source: Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB) www.conab.gov.br;na: not available

4

Note: In 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 of contracts signed between the railroad company and shippers (Source: ESALQ-LOG, 2018)

Source: ESALQ/ USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS
9

Brazil Soybean Transportation

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

Hamburg, Germany

—2019—

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 81.92 81.92 71.05 71.05

Ocean 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00

Total transportation 104.92 104.92 94.05 94.05

Farm gate price3 275.38 275.38 275.38 275.38

Landed cost 380.29 380.29 369.43 369.43

Transport % of landed cost 27.6 27.59 25.5 25.5

North MT1 - Santos2

BY RAIL

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 29.89 29.89 26.05 26.05

Rail4 - Santos 41.21 41.21 - -

Ocean 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00

Total transportation 94.11 94.11 49.05 49.05

Farm gate price3 275.38 275.38 308.52 308.52

Landed cost 369.48 369.48 357.57 357.57

Transport % of landed cost 25.5 25.47 13.7 13.7

1

Producing regions: RS = Rio Grande Do Sul, MT= Mato Grosso, GO = Goiás, PR = Paraná

2

Export ports

3

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

4

Note: In 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 of contracts signed between the railroad company and shippers (Source: ESALQ-LOG, 2018)

Source: ESALQ/ USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS

1

Table defining routes by number is shown on page 14

2

Regions comprised about 80 percent of Brazilian soybean production, 2016

Source: ESALQ/ USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS
10

Brazil Soybean Transportation

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

ports to Shanghai, China

—2019—

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 59.40 59.40 37.04 37.04

Ocean 32.25 32.25 31.00 31.00

Total transportation 91.65 91.65 68.04 68.04

Farm gate price3 275.38 275.38 298.43 298.43

Landed cost 367.03 367.03 366.47 366.47

Transport % of landed cost 25.0 25.0 18.6 18.6

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 45.24 45.24

Ocean 31.00 31.00

Total transportation 76.24 76.24

Farm gate price3 292.96 292.96

Landed cost 369.20 369.20

Transport % of landed cost 20.7 20.7

1

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

2

Export ports

3

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

Source: ESALQ/ USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS
11

Brazil Soybean Transportation

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

ports to Hamburg, Germany

—2019—

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 59.40 59.40 37.04 37.04

Ocean 21.00 21.00 18.00 18.00

Total transportation 80.40 80.40 55.04 55.04

Farm gate price3 275.38 275.38 298.43 298.43

Landed cost 355.78 355.78 353.47 353.47

Transport % of landed cost 22.6 22.6 15.6 15.6

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 45.24 45.24

Ocean 18.00 18.00

Total transportation 63.24 63.24

Farm gate price3 292.96 292.96 

Landed cost 356.20 356.20 

Transport % of landed cost 17.8 17.8

1

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

2

Export ports

3

Source: Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB) www.conab.gov.br; na: not 

available

Source: ESALQ/ USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS
12

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 7. Quarterly truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2019

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 12.0 9.05 9.05

2 North MT (Sorriso) Santos 1,190 3.0 6.88 6.88

3 North MT (Sorriso) Paranaguá 1,262 2.8 5.63 5.63

4 South GO (Rio Verde) Santos 587 5.1 7.29 7.29

5 South GO (Rio Verde) Paranaguá 726 4.1 6.15 6.15

6 North Central PR (Londrina) Paranaguá 268 3.3 8.86 8.86

7 Western Central PR (Mamborê) Paranaguá 311 2.6 7.96 7.96

8 Triangle MG (Uberaba) Santos 339 3.1 10.13 10.13

9 West PR (Assis Chateaubriand) Paranaguá 377 2.5 7.45 7.45

10 West Extreme BA (São Desidério) Salvador 535 5.6 7.03 7.03

11 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Santos 901 2.5 6.23 6.23

12 Southeast MT (Primavera do Leste) Paranaguá 975 2.3 5.21 5.21

13 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Paranaguá 612 3.3 6.48 6.48

14 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Santos 652 3.1 7.67 7.67

15 West PR (Assis Chateaubriand) Santos 550 1.7 7.76 7.76

16 East GO (Cristalina) Santos 585 1.9 8.18 8.18

17 North PR (Cornélio Procópio) Paranaguá 306 1.8 7.16 7.16

18 Eastern Central PR (Castro) Paranaguá 130 2.1 12.15 12.15

19 South Central PR (Guarapuava) Paranaguá 204 2.3 11.22 11.22

20 North Central MS (São Gabriel do Oeste) Santos 720 2.3 6.79 6.79

21 Ribeirão Preto SP (Guairá) Santos 314 0.0 8.57 8.57

22 Northeast MT (Canarana) Santos 950 3.4 7.04 7.04

23 East MS (Chapadão do Sul) Santos 607 0.0 6.71 6.71

24 Northeast MT (Canarana) Paranaguá 1,075 3.0 6.04 6.04

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 measured as a percentage of total production.

4

US$ per metric ton (average monthly exchange rate from “Banco Central do Brasil” was used to convert Brazilian reais to the U.S. dollar)

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, TO=Tocantins

6

Note: In 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 of contracts signed between the railroad company and shippers (Source: ESALQ-LOG, 2018).

Source: ESALQ/ USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS

-continued on page 13-
13

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 7. Quarterly truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2019

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 –––

25 Western Central RS (Tupanciretã) Rio Grande 273 2.7 9.40 9.40

26 Southwest PR(Chopinzinho) Paranaguá 291 1.8 11.75 11.75

27 North MT (Sorriso) Itaituba 672 5.3 8.04 8.04

28 North MT (Sorriso) Porto Velho 632 5.7 6.29 6.29

29 North MT (Sorriso) Santarém 876 4.1 6.78 6.78

30 South MA (Balsas) São Luís 482 1.9 7.69 7.69

31 Southwest PI (Bom Jesus) São Luís 606 2.2 7.47 7.47

32 Southeast PA (Paragominas) Barcarena 249 1.5 10.05 10.05

33 East TO (Campos Lindos) São Luís 842 1.1 6.43 6.43

34 North MT(Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 7.83 7.83

35 Rondonópolis MT 

(Rail terminal)

6 Santos 1,019 4.04 4.04

Average 587 100.0 7.75

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 measured as a percentage of total production.

4

US$ per metric ton (average monthly exchange rate from “Banco Central do Brasil” was used to convert Brazilian reais to the U.S. dollar)

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, TO=Tocantins

6

Note: In 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 of contracts signed between the railroad company and shippers (Source: ESALQ-LOG, 2018).

Source: ESALQ/ USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS
14

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 8. Monthly Brazilian soybean export truck transportation cost index

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-12 10.20 1.7 175.90 Jan-16 6.42 -5.1 110.63

Feb-12 10.76 5.4 185.45 Feb-16 6.73 4.8 115.98

Mar-12 10.55 -2.0 181.82 Mar-16 7.79 15.8 134.33

Apr-12 10.45 -1.0 180.06 Apr-16 8.30 6.5 143.05

May-12 9.64 -7.7 166.20 May-16 7.28 -12.3 125.43

Jun-12 9.37 -2.9 161.44 Jun-16 7.16 -1.5 123.51

Jul-12 9.76 4.2 168.16 Jul-16 7.46 4.2 128.64

Aug-12 10.17 4.3 175.33 Aug-16 7.33 -1.7 126.41

Sep-12 10.30 1.3 177.54 Sep-16 6.35 -13.3 109.53

Oct-12 10.13 -1.6 174.66 Oct-16 5.88 -7.5 101.35

Nov-12 9.84 -2.8 169.69 Nov-16 5.00 -14.9 86.21

Dec-12 9.73 -1.1 167.74 Dec-16 5.47 9.4 94.32

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

May-15 8.39 -6.8 144.58

Jun-15 8.01 -4.5 138.12

Jul-15 7.56 -5.7 130.25

Aug-15 7.38 -2.4 127.15

Sep-15 6.60 -10.5 113.78

Oct-15 6.70 1.5 115.43

Nov-15 7.08 5.8 122.08

Dec-15 6.76 -4.5 116.56

*Weighted average and quoted in US$ per metric ton

Source: ESALQ/ USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS
15

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Figure 3. Truck rates for selected southern Brazilian soybean export transportation route, 2017-2019

$0

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

$7

$8

$9

$10

$11

$12

$13

$14

01/1704/1707/1710/1701/1804/1807/1810/1801/19

US$/MT /100 miles

Western Center PR to

Paranaguá

North MT to Paranaguá

Southwest MS to Paranaguá

Source: ESALQ/USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS 

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

transportation route, 2017-2019

Source: ESALQ/USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS 

$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

US$/MT/100 miles

North MT

(Sorriso) to

Santos

North MT to

Paranaguá

North MT

(Sorriso) to

Santarém

North MT

(Sorriso) to

Itaituba

 South MA

(Balsas) to

São Luís
16

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Source: ESALQ/USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and USDA/AMS 

$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

US$/MT/100 miles

Figure 5. Brazillian soybean export truck transportation weighted average prices, 2017-2019
17

Brazil Soybean Transportation

-continued on page 18-

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

Germany and China (US$/metric ton)*

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 30.00 29.00 29.00 30.00

Paranagua Germany (Hamburg) 30.00 29.00 29.00 30.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 30.00 29.00 29.00 30.00

Santos China (Shanghai) 52.34 34.50 34.50 42.50

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 56.03 36.75 36.75 46.00

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 51.34 35.25 35.25 44.25

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 31.00 30.00 26.00 24.00

Paranagua Germany (Hamburg) 31.00 30.00 28.00 26.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 31.00 30.00 24.50 22.50

Santos China (Shanghai) 44.83 38.07 34.00 30.50

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 47.22 41.13 36.00 32.50

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 44.83 38.75 32.50 30.50

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 21.00 19.00 17.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 21.00 19.00 17.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 21.00 19.00 17.00

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 20.00 14.50 13.50 20.00

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 20.00 18.25 16.38 20.50

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 20.00 16.00 15.20 21.00

Santos China (Shanghai) 29.50 22.50 23.25 20.00

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 31.50 23.50 24.18 20.50

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 29.50 25.00 25.75 21.00

Santarém China (Shanghai) 32.00 25.00 25.75 23.50

São Luís China (Shanghai) 32.00 25.00 25.75 23.50

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 32.00 25.00 25.75 23.50

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 16.00 17.00 16.50 23.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 16.00 17.00 16.50 24.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 16.00 17.00 16.50 23.00

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 11.03 14.13 15.00 19.80

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 8.25 11.00 11.80 15.80

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 9.60 12.45 13.20 17.35

Santos China (Shanghai) 17.50 16.50 12.50 20.00

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 18.00 18.50 14.50 21.50

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 18.50 17.00 13.00 20.50

Santarém China (Shanghai) 22.00 21.00 19.40 23.75

São Luís China (Shanghai) 20.00 18.40 17.50 22.00

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 22.50 21.50 20.00 23.75

*Correspond to the average actual values negotiated between shippers and carriers and weighted according to the magnitude of the 

 shipped volume

Source: Sistema de Informações de Fretes, SIFRECA, ESALQ/USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil)
18

Brazil Soybean Transportation

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

Germany and China (US$/metric ton)*

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 24.00 26.00 27.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 25.00 27.00 28.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 25.00 27.00 28.00

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 23.60 25.00 26.00

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 17.60 20.00 21.20 22.00

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 18.00 20.60 21.80 22.70

Santos China (Shanghai) 18.50 29.00 30.00 30.00

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 20.50 30.50 31.00 31.50

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 18.00 29.50 31.00 30.70

Santarém China (Shanghai) 24.00 33.50 31.00 34.50

São Luís China (Shanghai) 23.50 30.25 31.00 33.50

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 24.00 33.50 31.00 34.50

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 27.00 25.00 24.00 25.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 28.00 26.00 25.00 26.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 28.00 26.00 25.00 26.00

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 25.00 22.90 22.50 23.00

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 19.10 18.50 19.00

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 20.90 20.20 20.00

Santos China (Shanghai) 32.50 31.00 27.75 30.00

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 32.00 32.00 28.75 31.00

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 33.00 31.50 28.25 31.50

Santarém China (Shanghai) 38.50 35.50 31.25 34.00

São Luís China (Shanghai) 37.00 34.80 30.75 33.00

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 37.50 33.80 32.25 35.00

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 18.00 

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 19.00 

Santos China (Shanghai) 32.25 

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 33.75 

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 31.58 

Santarém China (Shanghai) 32.25 

São Luís China (Shanghai) 31.00 

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 32.25 

*Correspond to the average actual values negotiated between shippers and carriers and weighted according to the magnitude of the 

 shipped volume

Source: Sistema de Informações de Fretes, SIFRECA, ESALQ/USP (University of São Paulo, Brazil)
19

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Contact Information:

Delmy L. Salin

Senior Economist, Project Manager

delmy.salin@usda.gov

202.720.0833

Sharon C. Williams

Graphic Analyst

sharonc.williams@usda.gov

202.720.2848

Data Sets (XLS files):

• Figure 3. Truck rates for selected southern Brazilian soybean export transportation route, 2017-2019

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

transportation route, 2017-2019

• Figure 5. Brazilian soybean export truck transportation weighted average prices, 2017-2019

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

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

to Shanghai, China

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

Germany

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

to Hamburg, Germany

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

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

Germany

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

to Shanghai, China

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

to Hamburg, Germany

• Table 7. Quarterly truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2019

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

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

and China (US$/metric ton)

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

Related Websites:

• Soybean Transportation Guide: Brazil 2017 (PDF)

• Prior Articles: Brazil Soybean Transportation

• Related Articles: Grain Transportation Report, March 21, 2019 (PDF)

Preferred Citation:

Salin, Delmy. Brazil Soybean Transportation Indicator Reports. May 2019. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Agricultural Marketing Service. Web. <http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS052.05-2019>

Photo Credit: USDA

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