Brazil Soybean Transportation

A quarterly publication of the Agricultural Marketing Service 

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

 Second Quarter 2020 (October, November, December)

Published August 20, 2020

Weak Real Augments Soybean Exports, Leading to Higher Domestic Prices for Farmers

In the second quarter 2020, both strong depreciation of the Brazilian real (R$) and a surge in Chinese demand 

boosted Brazil’s soybean exports. In the first 7 months of 2020, Brazil exported a record of nearly 70 million 

metric tons (mmt) of soybeans, valued at $23.8 billion (fig. 1) (Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia). From 

second quarter 2019 to second quarter 2020 (year to year), the Brazilian real depreciated 37 percent against 

the U.S. dollar, from R$3.92 per U.S. dollar to R$5.38 per U.S. dollar. Year to year, the cost of shipping a metric 

ton (mt) of soybeans 100 miles by truck, decreased by 20 percent—from $6.94 per mt, in second quarter 2019, 

to $5.52 per mt, in second quarter 2020 (table 8)—mostly due to the significant fall in the value of the Brazilian 

real against the U.S. dollar. Measured in real, the cost of shipping a metric ton of soybeans increased by 9 

percent at the peak of the export season. 

Typically, Brazilian soybean exports peak in April-May and decline through the end of the year (fig. 1). Year 

to year, on average, ocean rates from the southern Brazilian ports to Shanghai, China, decreased by nearly 9 

percent, and from the southern ports to Hamburg, Germany, ocean rates decreased about 2 percent—except 

for a slight increase in rates from Paranaguá to Hamburg (tables 1, 1a, 2, 2a, and 9). Ocean rates from the 

northern ports to Shanghai declined by 7 percent, and, from the northern ports to Hamburg, declined by 18 

percent — except for a 2 percent increase in rates from São Luís to Hamburg. Ocean rates decreased because 

of lower bunker fuel prices, lower global dry bulk trade due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and a global vessel fleet 

expansion (Grain Transportation Report (GTR)).

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

Note: Hyphens designate data were unavailable.

Source: Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia.

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

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

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

2020 1.4 4.8 10.9 15.0 14.4 13.8 10.4 - - - - -

Million metric tons

2019 2020
2

Brazil Soybean Transportation

In second quarter 2020, Brazilian soybean transportation costs to Shanghai, China—as a percentage of total 

landed costs—declined by 12-17 percent for the route from northern Mato Grosso to Santos and declined by 

16 percent and 19 percent from Santarém and Barcarena, respectively. In Sorriso, Mato Grosso—the largest 

Brazilian soybean-producing State—second quarter 2020 transportation costs represented 23 percent of the 

total landed costs of shipping soybeans to Shanghai through Santos, compared with 34 percent in 2008 and 45 

percent in 2006. Year to year, average Brazilian soybean export prices decreased by 3 percent, from $349 per 

mt to $337 per mt. Brazilian farmers have benefitted from the fall in value of the Brazilian real, against the U.S. 

dollar, because soybeans are priced in U.S. dollars but paid in real. Measured in U.S. dollars, soybean average 

farm gate prices were the same as last year—$285.44/mt. However, the depreciation of the reais led to higher 

domestic prices. On average, in real, second quarter 2020 farm gate prices increased by nearly 37 percent, 

from R$1,118.15/mt to R$1,536.62 (Brazil Central Bank and Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (CONAB)). 

China imported 49 percent more soybeans in second quarter 2020 than in second quarter 2019. In the first 6 

months of 2020, China bought 42.7 mmt, nearly 72 percent of Brazil’s total soybean exports (59.4 mmt), valued 

at $14.5 billion (Comex Stat, Ministério da Economia). The next highest shares of Brazil’s soybean exports (in 

declining order) went to the Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, and Turkey. Santos was the largest Brazilian soybean 

export port, followed by Paranaguá, Rio Grande, Barcarena, São Luís, and São Francisco do Sul (Comex Stat, 

Ministério da Economia). These six ports accounted for nearly 83 percent of Brazil’s total exports. Looking 

at the split from a north/south perspective, the southern ports of Santos, Rio Grande, Paranaguá, and São 

Francisco do Sul still dominate the soybean trade to China. These ports accounted for about 78 percent 

of Brazil’s soybean exports to China. Meanwhile, the northeastern ports of São Luís, Vitória, Salvador, and 

Barcarena accounted for nearly 22 percent of exports to China. The Amazon River ports of Manaus and 

Santarém accounted for less than 1 percent of exports to China. At the peak of the export season, the ocean 

freight spread was $1.25/mt for the route from the northeastern ports of Barcarena, $28.33/mt from São Luís 

to Shanghai, and $27.08/mt from Santos to Shanghai. The ocean freight spread is the cost difference between 

two vessel routes to the same destination. For more information, contact Delmy L. Salin at delmy.salin@usda.

gov.
3

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 1. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Shanghai, China

2019 

2nd qtr.

2020 

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

2019 

2nd qtr.

2020 

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 73.96 59.53 -19.5 24.86 19.03 -23.5

Ocean 30.92 27.08 -12.4 30.25 28.58 -5.5

Total transportation 104.88 86.61 -17.4 55.11 47.61 -13.6

Farm gate price3 271.70 287.53 5.8 294.72 297.17 0.8

Landed cost 376.58 374.13 -0.6 349.83 344.78 -1.4

Transport % of landed cost 27.8 23.1 -16.9 15.8 13.8 -12.4

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 26.49 21.82 -17.6 72.82 58.03 -20.3

Rail4 31.39 30.58 -2.6 - - -

Ocean 30.92 27.08 -12.4 31.42 28.83 -8.2

Total transportation 88.80 79.48 -10.5 104.24 86.86 -16.7

Farm gate price3 271.70 287.53 5.8 271.70 287.53 5.8

Landed cost 360.50 367.00 1.8 375.94 374.39 -0.4

Transport % of landed cost 24.6 21.7 -12.1 27.7 23.2 -16.3

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

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

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

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

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
4

Brazil Soybean Transportation

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

ports to Shanghai, China

2019 

2nd qtr.

2020 

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

2019 

2nd qtr.

2020 

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 47.34 38.23 -19.2 31.80 27.02 -15.0

Ocean 30.58 28.08 -8.2 30.58 28.33 -7.4

Total transportation 77.92 66.31 -14.9 62.38 55.35 -11.3

Farm gate price3 271.70 287.53 5.8 278.70 294.95 5.8

Landed cost 349.62 353.84 1.2 341.08 350.31 2.7

Transport % of landed cost 22.3 18.7 -15.9 18.3 15.8 -13.6

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2

—US$/mt—

Truck 38.41 29.98 -22.0 45.66 33.27 -27.2

Barge4 - - - 18.30 14.36 -21.5

Ocean 30.58 28.33 -7.4 29.92 28.33 -5.3

Total transportation 68.99 58.31 -15.5 93.89 75.96 -19.1

Farm gate price3 285.28 286.59 0.5 271.70 287.53 5.8

Landed cost 354.27 344.90 -2.6 365.59 363.48 -0.6

Transport % of landed cost 19.5 16.9 -13.2 25.7 20.9 -18.6

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.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
5

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 2. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Hamburg, Germany

2019 

2nd qtr.

2020 

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

2019 

2nd qtr.

2020 

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 73.96 59.53 -19.5 24.86 19.03 -23.5

Ocean 21.50 20.50 -4.7 21.25 20.75 -2.4

Total transportation 95.46 80.03 -16.2 46.11 39.78 -13.7

Farm gate price3 271.70 287.53 5.8 294.72 297.17 0.8

Landed cost 367.16 367.55 0.1 340.83 336.95 -1.1

Transport % of landed cost 26.0 21.8 -16.3 13.5 11.8 -12.7

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 26.49 21.82 -17.6 72.82 58.03 -20.3

Rail4 31.39 30.58 -2.6 - - -

Ocean 21.50 20.50 -4.7 21.25 21.50 1.2

Total transportation 79.38 72.90 -8.2 94.07 79.53 -15.5

Farm gate price3 271.70 287.53 5.8 271.70 287.53 5.8

Landed cost 351.08 360.42 2.7 365.77 367.06 0.4

Transport % of landed cost 22.6 20.2 -10.5 25.7 21.7 -15.8

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.
6

Brazil Soybean Transportation

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

northeastern ports to Hamburg, Germany

2019 

2nd qtr.

2020 

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

2019 

2nd qtr.

2020 

2nd qtr.

% Change 

2019-20

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 47.34 38.23 -19.2 31.80 27.02 -15.0

Ocean 20.25 16.00 -21.0 17.10 17.50 2.3

Total transportation 67.59 54.23 -19.8 48.90 44.52 -9.0

Farm gate price3 271.70 287.53 5.8 278.70 294.95 5.8

Landed cost 339.29 341.76 0.7 327.60 339.48 3.6

Transport % of landed cost 19.9 15.9 -20.3 14.9 13.1 -12.1

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mt--

Truck 38.41 29.98 -22.0 45.66 33.27 -27.2

Barge4 - - - 18.30 14.36 -21.5

Ocean 17.10 17.50 2.3 17.85 15.00 -16.0

Total transportation 55.51 47.48 -14.5 81.82 62.63 -23.5

Farm gate price3 285.28 286.59 0.5 271.70 287.53 5.8

Landed cost 340.79 334.07 -2.0 353.52 350.15 -1.0

Transport % of landed cost 16.3 14.2 -12.7 23.1 17.9 -22.7

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

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

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

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

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
7

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Indicators

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

1

Table defining routes by number is shown on page 12.

2

Regions comprised about 81 percent of Brazilian soybean production, 2018 (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics—Produção Agricola 

Municipal).

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
8

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 3. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Shanghai, China

—2020—

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

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 68.33 59.53 63.93 67.48 58.03 62.76

Ocean 35.50 27.08 31.29 37.25 28.83 33.04

Total transportation 103.83 86.61 95.22 104.73 86.86 95.80

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 285.06 282.59 287.53 285.06

Landed cost 386.43 374.13 380.28 387.32 374.39 380.86

Transport % of landed cost 26.9 23.1 25.0 27.0 23.2 25.1

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 24.79 21.82 23.30 22.92 19.03 20.97

Rail4 37.73 30.58 34.15 - - -

Ocean 35.50 27.08 31.29 37.00 28.58 32.79

Total transportation 98.02 79.48 88.75 59.92 47.61 53.76

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 285.06 300.04 297.17 298.61

Landed cost 380.61 367.00 373.81 359.97 344.78 352.37

Transport % of landed cost 25.8 21.7 23.7 16.6 13.8 15.2

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

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

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

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

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

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 4. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

southern ports to Hamburg, Germany

—2020—

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

North MT1 - Santos2 by truck

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Paranaguá2

—US$/mt—

Truck 68.33 59.53 63.93 67.48 58.03 62.76

Ocean 29.25 20.50 24.88 30.00 21.50 25.75

Total transportation 97.58 80.03 88.81 97.48 79.53 88.51

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 285.06 282.59 287.53 285.06

Landed cost 380.18 367.55 373.87 380.07 367.06 373.57

Transport % of landed cost 25.7 21.8 23.7 25.6 21.7 23.7

North MT1 - Santos2 by rail

—US$/mt—

Northwest RS1 - Rio Grande2

—US$/mt—

Truck 24.79 21.82 23.30 22.92 19.03 20.97

Rail4 37.73 30.58 34.15 - - -

Ocean 29.25 20.50 24.88 29.50 20.75 25.13

Total transportation 91.77 72.90 82.33 52.42 39.78 46.10

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 285.06 300.04 297.17 298.61

Landed cost 374.36 360.42 367.39 352.47 336.95 344.71

Transport % of landed cost 24.5 20.2 22.4 14.9 11.8 13.3

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

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

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

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

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

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 5. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

northern and northeastern ports to Shanghai, China

—2020—

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

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 44.10 38.23 41.17 28.86 27.02 27.94

Ocean 36.50 28.08 32.29 36.75 28.33 32.54

Total transportation 80.60 66.31 73.46 65.61 55.35 60.48

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 285.06 300.23 294.95 297.59

Landed cost 363.20 353.84 358.52 365.83 350.31 358.07

Transport % of landed cost 22.2 18.7 20.5 17.9 15.8 16.9

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mtTruck 32.49 29.98 31.23 37.11 33.27 35.19

Barge4 - - - 16.42 14.36 15.39

Ocean 36.75 28.33 32.54 38.50 28.33 33.42

Total transportation 69.24 58.31 63.77 92.03 75.96 83.99

Farm gate price3 302.03 286.59 294.31 282.59 287.53 285.06

Landed cost 371.27 344.90 358.09 374.62 363.48 369.05

Transport % of landed cost 18.6 16.9 17.8 24.6 20.9 22.7

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

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

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

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

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
11

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 6. Quarterly costs of transporting Brazilian soybeans from the 

northern and northeastern ports to Hamburg, Germany

—2020—

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

North MT1 - Santarém2

—US$/mt—

South MA1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

Truck 44.10 38.23 41.17 28.86 27.02 27.94

Ocean 25.00 16.00 20.50 22.25 17.50 19.88

Total transportation 69.10 54.23 61.67 51.11 44.52 47.81

Farm gate price3 282.59 287.53 285.06 300.23 294.95 297.59

Landed cost 351.70 341.76 346.73 351.33 339.48 345.41

Transport % of landed cost 19.6 15.9 17.8 14.5 13.1 13.8

Southwest PI1 - São Luís2

—US$/mt—

North MT1 - Barcarena2 

--US$/mtTruck 32.49 29.98 31.23 37.11 33.27 35.19

Barge4 - - - 16.42 14.36 15.39

Ocean 22.25 17.50 19.88 24.00 15.00 19.50

Total transportation 54.74 47.48 51.11 77.53 62.63 70.08

Farm gate price3 302.03 286.59 294.31 282.59 287.53 285.06

Landed cost 356.77 334.07 345.42 360.12 350.15 355.14

Transport % of landed cost 15.3 14.2 14.8 21.5 17.9 19.7

1

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

2

Export port.

3

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

4

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

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

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

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
12

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 7. Quarterly truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2020

Route 

#

Origin1 

(reference city) Destination

Distance 

(miles)2

Share 

(%)3

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

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

1 Northwest RS5 (Cruz Alta) Rio Grande 288 11.3 7.96 6.61 7.28

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1

The main city in the region is considered as a reference to establish the freight price..

2

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

3

Share of exports in total production (percentage).

4

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

5

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

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

6

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

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

7

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

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

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

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

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

-continued on page 13-
13

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 7. Quarterly truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2020

Route 

#

Origin1

(reference city) Destination

Distance 

(miles)2

Share 

(%)3

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

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

24 Northeast MT (Canarana) Paranaguá 1,075 2.9 5.34 4.61 4.98

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weighted average 587 100.0 6.33 5.52 5.93

34 North MT (Sorriso) Rondonópolis 

(Rail terminal) 382 6.49 5.71 6.10

35 Rondonópolis MT (Rail terminal)

6 Santos 1,019 3.70 3.00 3.35

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

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

1

The main city in the region is considered as a reference to establish the freight price..

2

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

3

Share of exports in total production (percentage).

4

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

5

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

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

6

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

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

7

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

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

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

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

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
14

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Table 8. Monthly Brazilian soybean export truck transportation cost index

Month Freight price

(US$/mt/100 miles)

Index variation (%) 

(Base: prior month)

Index value 

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

Index variation (%) 

(Base: prior month)

Index value 

(Base: Jan-05=100)

Jan-13 10.11 3.9 174.31 Jan-17 7.32 33.8 126.20

Feb-13 10.79 6.7 185.96 Feb-17 9.85 34.6 169.85

Mar-13 11.14 3.3 192.04 Mar-17 10.38 5.3 178.90

Apr-13 10.95 -1.7 188.71 Apr-17 9.52 -8.3 164.05

May-13 10.40 -5.0 179.31 May-17 8.75 -8.0 150.90

Jun-13 9.49 -8.8 163.61 Jun-17 8.18 -6.5 141.04

Jul-13 9.65 1.7 166.41 Jul-17 8.74 6.8 150.66

Aug-13 9.80 1.5 168.95 Aug-17 9.85 12.7 169.76

Sep-13 10.21 4.2 176.02 Sep-17 8.97 -9.0 154.55

Oct-13 10.17 -0.4 175.28 Oct-17 8.64 -3.6 148.93

Nov-13 9.29 -8.6 160.18 Nov-17 8.36 -3.2 144.11

Dec-13 8.91 -4.1 153.63 Dec-17 7.23 -13.5 124.63

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jul-16 7.46 4.2 128.64

Aug-16 7.33 -1.7 126.41

Sep-16 6.35 -13.3 109.53

Oct-16 5.88 -7.5 101.35

Nov-16 5.00 -14.9 86.21

Dec-16 5.47 9.4 94.32

*Weighted average. 

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

Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
15

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Figure 3. Truck rates for selected southern Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2017-20

$0

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

$7

$8

$9

$10

$11

$12

$13

$14

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

US$/mt /100 miles

Western Central PR to Paranaguá

Southwest MS to Paranaguá

North MT to Paranaguá

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.

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

export transportation routes, 2017-20

$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

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

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.
16

Brazil Soybean Transportation

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

$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

US$/mt/100 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.
17

Brazil Soybean Transportation

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

Germany and China (US$/metric ton)*

Port

Santos

Paranaguá

Rio Grande

Santarém

São Luís

Barcarena

Santos

Paranagua

Rio Grande

Santarém

São Luís

Barcarena

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

17.00

17.00

17.00

20.00

20.50

21.00

20.00

20.50

21.00

23.50

23.50

23.50

Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 21.00 19.00

Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 21.00 19.00

Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 21.00 19.00

Germany (Hamburg) 20.00 14.50 13.50

Germany (Hamburg) 20.00 18.25 16.38

Germany (Hamburg) 20.00 16.00 15.20

China (Shanghai) 29.50 22.50 23.25

China (Shanghai) 31.50 23.50 24.18

China (Shanghai) 29.50 25.00 25.75

China (Shanghai) 32.00 25.00 25.75

China (Shanghai) 32.00 25.00 25.75

China (Shanghai) 32.00 25.00 25.75

Port

Santos

Paranaguá

Rio Grande

Santarém

São Luís

Barcarena

Santos

Paranagua

Rio Grande

Santarém

São Luís

Barcarena

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

23.00

24.00

23.00

19.80

15.80

17.35

20.00

21.50

20.50

23.75

22.00

23.75

Germany (Hamburg) 16.00 17.00 16.50

Germany (Hamburg) 16.00 17.00 16.50

Germany (Hamburg) 16.00 17.00 16.50

Germany (Hamburg) 11.03 14.13 15.00

Germany (Hamburg) 8.25 11.00 11.80

Germany (Hamburg) 9.60 12.45 13.20

China (Shanghai) 17.50 16.50 12.50

China (Shanghai) 18.00 18.50 14.50

China (Shanghai) 18.50 17.00 13.00

China (Shanghai) 22.00 21.00 19.40

China (Shanghai) 20.00 18.40 17.50

China (Shanghai) 22.50 21.50 20.00

Port

Santos

Paranaguá

Rio Grande

Santarém

São Luís

Barcarena

Santos

Paranagua

Rio Grande

Santarém

São Luís

Barcarena

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

27.00

28.00

28.00

26.00

22.00

22.70

30.00

31.50

30.70

34.50

33.50

34.50

Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 24.00 26.00

Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 25.00 27.00

Germany (Hamburg) 22.00 25.00 27.00

Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 23.60 25.00

Germany (Hamburg) 17.60 20.00 21.20

Germany (Hamburg) 18.00 20.60 21.80

China (Shanghai) 18.50 29.00 30.00

China (Shanghai) 20.50 30.50 31.00

China (Shanghai) 18.00 29.50 31.00

China (Shanghai) 24.00 33.50 31.00

China (Shanghai) 23.50 30.25 31.00

China (Shanghai) 24.00 33.50 31.00

*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-
18

Brazil Soybean Transportation

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

Germany and China (US$/metric ton)*

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 27.00 25.00 24.00 25.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 28.00 26.00 25.00 26.00

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 28.00 26.00 25.00 26.00

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 25.00 22.90 22.50 23.00

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 19.10 18.50 19.00

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 20.90 20.20 20.00

Santos China (Shanghai) 32.50 31.00 27.75 30.00

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 32.00 32.00 28.75 31.00

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 33.00 31.50 28.25 31.50

Santarém China (Shanghai) 38.50 35.50 31.25 34.00

São Luís China (Shanghai) 37.00 34.80 30.75 33.00

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 37.50 33.80 32.25 35.00

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 21.50 27.00 31.00

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 21.25 27.00 30.75

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 23.00 21.25 27.00 31.25

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 21.00 20.25 25.92 26.50

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 18.00 17.10 22.77 23.50

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 19.00 17.85 23.52 24.25

Santos China (Shanghai) 32.25 30.92 33.25 38.17

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 33.75 31.42 34.75 39.50

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 31.58 30.25 34.25 39.67

Santarém China (Shanghai) 32.25 30.58 38.25 39.17

São Luís China (Shanghai) 31.00 30.58 38.25 39.42

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 32.25 29.92 38.25 39.42

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

Santos Germany (Hamburg) 29.25 20.50 

Paranaguá Germany (Hamburg) 30.00 21.50 

Rio Grande Germany (Hamburg) 29.50 20.75 

Santarém Germany (Hamburg) 25.00 16.00 

São Luís Germany (Hamburg) 22.25 17.50 

Barcarena Germany (Hamburg) 24.00 15.00 

Santos China (Shanghai) 35.50 27.08 

Paranagua China (Shanghai) 37.25 28.83 

Rio Grande China (Shanghai) 37.00 28.58 

Santarém China (Shanghai) 36.50 28.08 

São Luís China (Shanghai) 36.75 28.33 

Barcarena China (Shanghai) 38.50 28.33 

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

the shipped volume.

Note: qtr. = quarter.

Source: University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz,” Brazil (ESALQ/ USP) and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
19

Brazil Soybean Transportation

Contact Information:

Delmy L. Salin

Senior Economist, Project Manager

delmy.salin@usda.gov

202.720.0833

Jessica Ladd

Visual Information Specialist

jessica.ladd@usda.gov

202.720.6494

Data Sets (XLS files):

• Figure 3. Truck rates for selected southern Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2017-20

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

transportation routes, 2017-20

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

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

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

to Shanghai, China

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

Germany

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

to Hamburg, Germany

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

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

Germany

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

to Shanghai, China

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

to Hamburg, Germany

• Table 7. Quarterly truck rates for selected Brazilian soybean export transportation routes, 2020

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

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

and China (US$/metric ton)

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

Related Websites:

• Soybean Transportation Guide: Brazil 2019 (PDF)

• Prior Articles: Brazil Soybean Transportation

• Related Articles: Grain Transportation Report: May 28, 2019 (PDF)

Preferred Citation:

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

Service. Web. <http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS052.08-2020>

Photo Credit: USDA

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