Delayed Soybean Exports and High Global Demand Led to Higher Prices in First Quarter 2021

Brazil’s soybean export season typically starts in January, peaks in May, and declines through the end of the 

year. However, this season, planting and harvest were delayed.1 The delay pushed the export window to 

overlap with the sugarcane harvest season and caused vessel delays and backups in March, especially in the 

southern port of Santos. These vessel disruptions increased ocean freight rates (tables 1, 2, and 9) (Reuters). 

Strong Chinese demand for iron-ore and grain, as well as heavy rain in northern Brazil, also contributed to 

a significant increase in ocean freight rates. This was particularly true for the routes from the northern and 

northeastern ports of Santarém and São Luís, Brazil, to Shanghai, China, and Hamburg, Germany, as vessels 

waited either to load grain or iron-ore (tables 1, 1a, 2, 2a, and 9) (Safety4Sea and Mining.com). Further 

contributing to the continued rise of ocean freight and charter rates, from January through March, was the 

reopening of major economies around the world after their pandemic lockdowns (Grain Transportation Report 

(GTR), April 15). Santos is still the largest Brazilian soybean export port, followed by Paranaguá, Barcarena, São 

Luís, Santarém, and Manaus. 

These six ports accounted for 

nearly 88 percent of Brazil’s 

total exports in first quarter 

2021. With the shares broken 

down from a north/south 

perspective, the southern 

ports of Santos, Rio Grande, 

Paranaguá, and São Francisco 

do Sul dominated the soybean 

trade, accounting for about 

62 percent of Brazil’s soybean 

1 In Brazil, early October through 

mid-December is the main soybean 

planting period, and February-April 

is the harvest season. Brazil begins 

exporting soybeans in early January. 

U.S. soybeans are planted in May and 

early June and are generally harvested 

in September and October. The United 

States begins exporting soybeans in 

late September.

Brazil Soybean Transportation

A quarterly publication of the Agricultural Marketing Service 

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

 First Quarter 2021 (January, February, March)

Published May 2021

Figure 1. Southern ports exported 62 percent of Brazilian soybeans, 

January-March 20211,2

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).
Brazil Soybean Transportation

2

exports (fig. 1). Meanwhile, the northeastern ports of São Luís, Vitória, Salvador, and Barcarena accounted 

for 26 percent of soybean exports. The Amazon River ports of Manaus and Santarém exported 12 percent of 

Brazil’s total soybean exports. 

From first quarter 2020 to first quarter 2021 (year to year), Brazilian soybean exports declined from 17.1 

million metric tons (mmt) to 16.2 mmt (Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia).2 Year to year, the cost of 

shipping a metric ton (mt) of soybeans 100 miles by truck decreased about 12 percent from $6.33 per mt to 

$5.60 per mt (table 8). This reduction also partially reflects the weakening of the Brazilian real (R$) against 

the U.S. dollar. The Brazilian real depreciated nearly 23 percent against the U.S. dollar, from R$4.47 per U.S. 

dollar to R$5.48 per U.S. dollar (Brazil Central Bank). In the State of Mato Grosso, lower transportation costs 

and higher farm gate prices led to lower costs for transporting Brazilian soybeans from the southern ports to 

Shanghai and Hamburg. (Transportation costs fell because the decline in truck and rail rates offset the increase 

in ocean rates.) As a share of total landed costs, transportation costs from northern Mato Grosso to Santos, 

Paranaguá, and Rio Grande decreased 33-37 percent (tables 1 and 2). 

Year to year, average Brazilian soybean export prices rose by 14 percent, from $347.69 per mt to $396.30 per 

mt. Brazilian farmers have benefitted from the real’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar, because soybeans are 

priced in U.S. dollars, but paid in reais. Measured in U.S. dollars, soybean average farm gate prices increased 

nearly 60 percent, from $296.27/mt to $473.15/mt year to year. The depreciation of the real led to higher 

domestic prices. On average, in reais, first-quarter 2021 farm gate prices nearly doubled, from R$1,316.94/mt 

to R$2,589.04 (Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB)). 

A couple of factors diverted soybean trade from South America to the United States during the first quarter of 

2021: first, Brazil’s inability to supply large export volumes to China at the beginning of its harvest season and, 

second, Argentinean producers’ reluctance to sell additional supplies of soybeans beyond what they needed 

to meet expenses (ERS, Oil Crops Outlook, April 2021; FAS, Grain: World Markets and Trade, March 2021 and 

April 2021). In the first 3 months of 2021, Brazil exported 11.6 mmt of soybeans to China, valued at $4.6 billion, 

nearly 8 percent less than its total of 12.6 mmt in first quarter 2020. The next highest shares of Brazil’s soybean 

exports (in declining order) went to Thailand, Spain, Turkey, and the Netherlands. The southern ports of 

Santos, Rio Grande, Paranaguá, and São Francisco do Sul still dominate the soybean trade to China, accounting 

for 73 percent of Brazil’s soybean exports to China. The northeastern ports of São Luís, Vitória, Salvador, and 

Barcarena accounted for 27 percent of soybean exports to China. The Amazon River ports of Manaus and 

Santarém did not export to China. These ports exported mostly to the European Union (91 percent) and Africa 

(9 percent). The ocean freight spread between the Shanghai routes from the northeastern port of São Luís 

($41/mt) and the port of Santos ($37/mt) was $4/mt (table 9). For more information, contact Delmy L. Salin at 

delmy.salin@usda.gov.

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

3

Table 1. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Shanghai, China

2020 

1st qtr.

2021

1st qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

2020

1st qtr.

2021

1st qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 68.33 60.94 -10.8 22.92 19.91 -13.1

Ocean 35.50 37.00 4.2 37.00 37.25 0.7

Total transportation 103.83 97.94 -5.7 59.92 57.16 -4.6

Farm gate price3 282.59 463.10 63.9 300.04 475.64 58.5

Landed cost 386.43 561.04 45.2 359.97 532.80 48.0

Transport % of landed cost 26.9 17.5 -35.0 16.6 10.7 -35.6

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 24.79 22.18 -10.5 67.48 58.57 -13.2

Rail4 37.73 30.95 -18.0 - - -

Ocean 35.50 37.00 4.2 37.25 38.75 4.0

Total transportation 98.02 90.13 -8.0 104.73 97.32 -7.1

Farm gate price3 282.59 463.10 63.9 282.59 463.10 63.9

Landed cost 380.61 553.22 45.4 387.32 560.42 44.7

Transport % of landed cost 25.8 16.3 -36.7 27.0 17.4 -35.8

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

In Brazil, there are no public/official rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on volumes hauled and 

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

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

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

4

Table 1a. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans 

from the northern and northeastern ports to Shanghai, China

2020 

1st qtr.

2021

1st qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

2020

1st qtr.

2021

1st qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 44.10 40.01 -9.3 28.86 25.06 -13.2

Ocean 36.50 50.54 38.5 36.75 41.00 11.6

Total transportation 80.60 90.55 12.3 65.61 66.06 0.7

Farm gate price3 282.59 463.10 63.9 300.23 466.73 55.5

Landed cost 363.20 553.64 52.4 365.83 532.79 45.6

Transport % of landed cost 22.2 16.4 -26.3 17.9 12.4 -30.9

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

Truck 32.49 29.27 -9.9 37.11 34.86 -6.1

Barge4 - - - 16.42 16.37 -0.3

Ocean 36.75 41.00 11.6 38.50 42.00 9.1

Total transportation 69.24 70.27 1.5 92.03 93.23 1.3

Farm gate price3 302.03 484.07 60.3 282.59 463.10 63.9

Landed cost 371.27 554.34 49.3 374.62 556.33 48.5

Transport % of landed cost 18.6 12.7 -32.0 24.6 16.8 -31.8

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

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

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

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

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

5

Table 2. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Hamburg, Germany

2020 

1st qtr.

2021

1st qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

2020

1st qtr.

2021

1st qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

North MT1 - Santos2 

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 68.33 60.94 -10.8 22.92 19.91 -13.1

Ocean 29.25 31.25 6.8 29.50 32.00 8.5

Total transportation 97.58 92.19 -5.5 52.42 51.91 -1.0

Farm gate price3 282.59 463.10 63.9 300.04 475.64 58.5

Landed cost 380.18 555.29 46.1 352.47 527.55 49.7

Transport % of landed cost 25.7 16.6 -35.3 14.9 9.8 -33.8

North MT1 - Santos2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 24.79 22.18 -10.5 67.48 58.57 -13.2

Rail4 37.73 30.95 -18.0 - - -

Ocean 29.25 31.25 6.8 30.00 31.00 3.3

Total transportation 91.77 84.38 -8.1 97.48 89.57 -8.1

Farm gate price3 282.59 463.10 63.9 282.59 463.10 63.9

Landed cost 374.36 547.47 46.2 380.07 552.67 45.4

Transport % of landed cost 24.5 15.4 -37.1 25.6 16.2 -36.8

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

In Brazil, there are no public/official rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on volumes hauled and 

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

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

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

6

Map of Brazilian Northern 

Arc barge routes ports that 

includes: Itacoatiara/Manaus 

(Amazon River), Santarém 

(Amazon River), Barcarena 

(Pará River), Porto Velho 

(MT) and Miritituba (PA) 

(barge terminals) and Marabá 

(planned barge terminal).

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

northeastern ports to Hamburg, Germany

2020 

1st qtr.

2021

1st qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

2020

1st qtr.

2021

1st qtr.

% Change 

2020-21

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 44.10 40.01 -9.3 28.86 25.06 -13.2

Ocean 25.00 28.65 14.6 22.25 33.25 49.4

Total transportation 69.10 68.66 -0.6 51.11 58.31 14.1

Farm gate price3 282.59 463.10 63.9 300.23 466.73 55.5

Landed cost 351.70 531.75 51.2 351.33 525.04 49.4

Transport % of landed cost 19.6 12.9 -34.3 14.5 11.1 -23.7

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mt--

Truck 32.49 29.27 -9.9 37.11 34.86 -6.1

Barge4 - - - 16.42 16.37 -0.3

Ocean 22.25 33.25 49.4 24.00 28.10 17.1

Total transportation 54.74 62.52 14.2 77.53 79.33 2.3

Farm gate price3 302.03 484.07 60.3 282.59 463.10 63.9

Landed cost 356.77 546.59 53.2 360.12 542.43 50.6

Transport % of landed cost 15.3 11.4 -25.5 21.5 14.6 -32.1

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 volumes hauled and 

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

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

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

7

Indicators

Regions considered in the 

Brazilian soybean export 

transportation indicators.

BA=Bahia

GO=Goiás

MG=Minas Gerais

MS=Mato Grosso do Sul

MT=Mato Grosso

PA=Pará

PI=Piauí

PR=Paraná

RS=Rio Grande do Sul

SP=São Paulo

TO=Tocantins

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

1

Table defining routes by number is shown on page 12.

2

Regions comprised about 79 percent of Brazilian soybean production, 2019 (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics—Produção Agricola 

Municipal).

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

8

Table 3. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Shanghai, China

—2021—

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

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 60.94 60.94 58.57 58.57

Ocean 37.00 37.00 38.75 38.75

Total transportation 97.94 97.94 97.32 97.32

Farm gate price3 463.10 463.10 463.10 463.10

Landed cost 561.04 561.04 560.42 560.42

Transport % of landed cost 17.5 17.5 17.4 17.4

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 22.18 22.18 19.91 19.91

Rail4 30.95 30.95 - -

Ocean 37.00 37.00 37.25 37.25

Total transportation 90.13 90.13 57.16 57.16

Farm gate price3 463.10 463.10 475.64 475.64

Landed cost 553.22 553.22 532.80 532.80

Transport % of landed cost 16.3 16.3 10.7 10.7

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4 In, Brazil, there are no public/official rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on volumes hauled and 

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

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

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

9

Table 4. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Hamburg, Germany

—2021—

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

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 60.94 60.94 58.57 58.57

Ocean 31.25 31.25 31.00 31.00

Total transportation 92.19 92.19 89.57 89.57

Farm gate price3 463.10 463.10 463.10 463.10

Landed cost 555.29 555.29 552.67 552.67

Transport % of landed cost 16.6 16.6 16.2 16.2

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 22.18 22.18 19.91 19.91

Rail4 30.95 30.95 - -

Ocean 31.25 31.25 32.00 32.00

Total transportation 84.38 84.38 51.91 51.91

Farm gate price3 463.10 463.10 475.64 475.64

Landed cost 547.47 547.47 527.55 527.55

Transport % of landed cost 15.4 15.4 9.8 9.8

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

In, Brazil, there are no public/official rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on volumes hauled and 

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

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

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

10

Table 5. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

northern and northeastern ports to Shanghai, China

—2021—

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

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 40.01 40.01 25.06 25.06

Ocean 50.54 50.54 41.00 41.00

Total transportation 90.55 90.55 66.06 66.06

Farm gate price3 463.10 463.10 466.73 466.73

Landed cost 553.64 553.64 532.79 532.79

Transport % of landed cost 16.4 16.4 12.4 12.4

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mtTruck 29.27 29.27 34.86 34.86

Barge4 - - 16.37 16.37

Ocean 41.00 41.00 42.00 42.00

Total transportation 70.27 70.27 93.23 93.23

Farm gate price3 484.07 484.07 463.10 463.10

Landed cost 554.34 554.34 556.33 556.33

Transport % of landed cost 12.7 12.7 16.8 16.8

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

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

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

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

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

11

Table 6. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

northern and northeastern ports to Hamburg, Germany

—2021—

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

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 40.01 40.01 25.06 25.06

Ocean 28.65 28.65 33.25 33.25

Total transportation 68.66 68.66 58.31 58.31

Farm gate price3 463.10 463.10 466.73 466.73

Landed cost 531.75 531.75 525.04 525.04

Transport % of landed cost 12.9 12.9 11.1 11.1

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mtTruck 29.27 29.27 34.86 34.86

Barge4 - - 16.37 16.37

Ocean 33.25 33.25 28.10 28.10

Total transportation 62.52 62.52 79.33 79.33

Farm gate price3 484.07 484.07 463.10 463.10

Landed cost 546.59 546.59 542.43 542.43

Transport % of landed cost 11.4 11.4 14.6 14.6

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

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

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

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

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

12

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

Route 

#

Origin1 

(reference city)

Destination

Distance 

(miles)2

Share 

(%)3

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

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

1 Northwest RS5 (Cruz Alta) Rio Grande 288 12.0 6.91 6.91

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

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

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

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

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

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

8 Triangle MG (Uberaba) Santos 339 3.0 6.86 6.86

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

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

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

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

13 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Paranaguá 612 3.0 5.68 5.68

14 Southwest MS (Maracaju) Santos 652 2.8 5.47 5.47

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

16 East GO (Cristalina) Santos 585 1.9 5.72 5.72

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

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

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

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

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

22 Northeast MT (Canarana) Santos 950 3.6 4.78 4.78

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

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

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

5

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

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

6

In Brazil, there are no public/official rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled 

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

7

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

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

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

For more details, on the definitions/calculations contact esalqlog@esalqlog.esalq.usp.br.

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

-continued on page 13-
Brazil Soybean Transportation

13

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

Route 

#

Origin1 

(reference city)

Destination

Distance 

(miles)2

Share 

(%)3

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

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

24 Northeast MT (Canarana) Paranaguá 1,075 3.2 4.23 4.23

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

26 Southwest PR(Chopinzinho) Paranaguá 291 1.5 6.83 6.83

27 North MT (Sorriso) Itaituba 672 5.8 5.19 5.19

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

29 North MT (Sorriso) Santarém 876 4.4 4.57 4.57

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

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

32 Southeast PA (Paragominas) Barcarena 249 1.6 6.61 6.61

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

Weighted average 587 100.0 5.60 5.60

34 North MT (Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 5.81 5.81

35 Rondonópolis MT (Rail terminal)

6 Santos 1,019 3.04 3.04

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

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

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

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

5

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

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

6

In Brazil, there are no public/official rail tariff rates. Rail rates can be up to 30 percent lower than truck rates, depending on the volumes hauled 

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

7

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

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

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

For more details, on the definitions/calculations contact esalqlog@esalqlog.esalq.usp.br.

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

14

Table 8. Monthly Brazilian soybean export truck transportation cost index

Month Freight price

(US$/mt/100 miles)

Index variation (%) 

(Base: prior month)

Index value 

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

Index variation (%) 

(Base: prior month)

Index value 

(Base: Jan-05=100)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apr-17 9.52 -8.3 164.05

May-17 8.75 -8.0 150.90

Jun-17 8.18 -6.5 141.04

Jul-17 8.74 6.8 150.66

Aug-17 9.85 12.7 169.76

Sep-17 8.97 -9.0 154.55

Oct-17 8.64 -3.6 148.93

Nov-17 8.36 -3.2 144.11

Dec-17 7.23 -13.5 124.63

*Weighted average. 

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de 

Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
Brazil Soybean Transportation

15

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

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

export transportation routes, 2018-21

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

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

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

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

$0

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

$7

$8

$9

$10

$11

$12

$13

$14

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

US$/mt /100 miles

Western Central PR to Paranaguá

Southwest MS to Paranaguá

North MT to Paranaguá

Figure 4. Truck rates for selected north, south, and northeastern Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2018-21

$0

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

$7

$8

$9

$10

$11

$12

Jan-18

Apr-18

Jul-18

Oct-18

Jan-19

Apr-19

Jul-19

Oct-19

Jan-20

Apr-20

Jul-20

Oct-20

Jan-21

US$/mt/100 miles

North MT (Sorriso) to

Santos

North MT to

Paranaguá

North MT (Sorriso) to

Santarém

North MT (Sorriso) to

Itaituba

 South MA (Balsas) to

São Luís
Brazil Soybean Transportation

16

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

Note: mt = metric ton.

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

$0

$2

$4

$6

$8

$10

$12

Jan-18

Apr-18

Jul-18

Oct-18

Jan-19

Apr-19

Jul-19

Oct-19

Jan-20

Apr-20

Jul-20

Oct-20

Jan-21

US$/mt/100 miles
Brazil Soybean Transportation

17

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

Germany and China (US$/metric ton)*

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 16.00 17.00 16.50 23.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 16.00 17.00 16.50 24.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 16.00 17.00 16.50 23.00

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 11.03 14.13 15.00 19.80

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 8.25 11.00 11.80 15.80

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 9.60 12.45 13.20 17.35

Santos China (Shanghai) 17.50 16.50 12.50 20.00

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 18.00 18.50 14.50 21.50

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 18.50 17.00 13.00 20.50

Santarém China (Shanghai) 22.00 21.00 19.40 23.75

São Luís China (Shanghai) 20.00 18.40 17.50 22.00

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 22.50 21.50 20.00 23.75

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 24.00 26.00 27.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 25.00 27.00 28.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 25.00 27.00 28.00

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 23.60 25.00 26.00

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 17.60 20.00 21.20 22.00

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 18.00 20.60 21.80 22.70

Santos China (Shanghai) 18.50 29.00 30.00 30.00

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 20.50 30.50 31.00 31.50

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 18.00 29.50 31.00 30.70

Santarém China (Shanghai) 24.00 33.50 31.00 34.50

São Luís China (Shanghai) 23.50 30.25 31.00 33.50

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 24.00 33.50 31.00 34.50

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 27.00 25.00 24.00 25.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 28.00 26.00 25.00 26.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 28.00 26.00 25.00 26.00

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 25.00 22.90 22.50 23.00

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 19.10 18.50 19.00

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 20.90 20.20 20.00

Santos China (Shanghai) 32.50 31.00 27.75 30.00

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 32.00 32.00 28.75 31.00

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 33.00 31.50 28.25 31.50

Santarém China (Shanghai) 38.50 35.50 31.25 34.00

São Luís China (Shanghai) 37.00 34.80 30.75 33.00

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 37.50 33.80 32.25 35.00

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

the shipped volume. 

Note: qtr. = quarter.

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

-continued on page 18-
Brazil Soybean Transportation

18

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

Germany and China (US$/metric ton)*

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 21.50 27.00 31.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 21.25 27.00 30.75

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 21.25 27.00 31.25

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 20.25 25.92 26.50

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 18.00 17.10 22.77 23.50

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 19.00 17.85 23.52 24.25

Santos China (Shanghai) 32.25 30.92 33.25 38.17

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 33.75 31.42 34.75 39.50

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 31.58 30.25 34.25 39.67

Santarém China (Shanghai) 32.25 30.58 38.25 39.17

São Luís China (Shanghai) 31.00 30.58 38.25 39.42

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 32.25 29.92 38.25 39.42

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 29.25 20.50 24.00 25.25

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 30.00 21.50 25.00 25.35

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 29.50 20.75 24.50 25.75

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 25.00 16.00 20.75 22.00

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 22.25 17.50 25.00 26.30

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 24.00 15.00 20.50 21.75

Santos China (Shanghai) 35.50 27.08 31.33 31.67

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 37.25 28.83 33.08 33.42

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 37.00 28.58 32.83 33.17

Santarém China (Shanghai) 36.50 28.08 34.83 35.21

São Luís China (Shanghai) 36.75 28.33 35.33 35.67

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 38.50 28.33 36.33 36.67

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 31.25 

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 31.00 

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 32.00 

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 28.65 

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 33.25 

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 28.10 

Santos China (Shanghai) 37.00 

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 38.75 

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 37.25 

Santarém China (Shanghai) 50.54 

São Luís China (Shanghai) 41.00 

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 42.00 

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

the shipped volume. 

Note: qtr. = quarter.

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

19

Contact Information:

Delmy L. Salin

Senior Economist, Project Manager

delmy.salin@usda.gov

202.720.0833

Jessica Ladd

Supervisory Visual Information Specialist

jessica.ladd@usda.gov

202.720.6494

Data Sets (XLS files):

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

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

transportation routes, 2018-21

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

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

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

to Shanghai, China

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

Germany

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

to Hamburg, Germany

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

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

Germany

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

to Shanghai, China

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

to Hamburg, Germany

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

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

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

and China (US$/metric ton)

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

Related Websites:

• Soybean Transportation Guide: Brazil 2019 (PDF)

• Prior Articles: Brazil Soybean Transportation

• Related Articles: Grain Transportation Report: March 4, 2021 (PDF)

Preferred Citation:

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

Service. Web. <http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS052.05-2021>

Photo Credit: USDA

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