1

United States Department of Agriculture

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

a quarterly publication of the Agricultural Marketing Service

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

Summary: What Happened

Better Farm Prices Pushed Up Landed Costs for Grain to Mexico in Fourth Quarter 2020

Mexico is the leading importer of U.S. corn (see February 11, 2021 GTR, table 13), second largest importer of U.S 

soybeans (see February 11, 2021 GTR, table 14) and largest importer of U.S. wheat (see February 11, 2021 GTR, 

table 15). As of January 28, 2021, Mexico’s total commitments were 11.08 million metric tons (mmt) of U.S. corn, 

3.96 mmt of U.S. soybeans, and 2.95 mmt of U.S. wheat. Given Mexico’s prominence as a destination for U.S grain 

exports, low transportation costs and landed costs to Mexico are critical to the competitiveness of U.S. grain.

U.S. grain is transported to Mexico either by cross-border land movements or by seaborne movements to Mexican 

ports for inland distribution. This article examines the costs of transporting U.S. grain to Mexico over land to 

Guadalajara (land route) and by water to Veracruz (water route), tracking changes over time (see table 1).

Quarter-to-quarter transportation costs. From third to fourth quarter 2020 (quarter to quarter), total costs of 

shipping U.S. corn and soybeans to Mexico via the water route rose mainly because of higher barge rates, while 

higher truck rates pushed up the cost of shipping wheat by the water route.1 For the land route, a decrease in 

rail (public tariff plus fuel surcharge) costs offset the increase in the truck rates. Thus, land-route transportation 

costs—of which rail rates comprise a large majority—did not change. Barge rates rose partly in response to strong 

demand and unstable supply of barges for grain exports in the fourth quarter (GTR, January 28, 2021). Exports 

out of the Mississippi Gulf have been at record levels (see February 11, 2021 GTR table 16). At the same time, low 

water levels in the Lower Mississippi River forced the barge industry to restrict drafts and tow sizes, which delayed 

departures and lengthened transit times. Some shippers might also have had difficulties positioning empty barges 

as scheduled.

Year-to-year transportation costs. From fourth quarter 2019 to fourth quarter 2020 (year to year), the total costs of 

shipping U.S. corn and soybeans to Mexico by the water route increased because of higher barge rates. Meanwhile, 

lower rail tariff rates pushed down costs of shipping wheat to Mexico by the water route. Similarly, the costs of 

shipping all grain (corn, soybeans, and wheat) to Mexico by the land route fell with declining rail tariff rates.

1Water routes typically involve truck transportation to barge to oceangoing vessel, or truck to rail to oceangoing 

vessel.

Content

Summary: What Happened? 1

Quarterly Bulk Grain and

Soybeans 5

Subscription Information 13

Related Websites 13

Data Sets 13

Fourth Quarter 2020 

(October, November, December)

Published May 2021

Contact Informati

Surajudeen Olowolayemo, Coordinator/

Ocean Bulk Shipments

Jesse Gastelle, Rail/Fruit and

Vegetables Analyst

April Taylor, Container Shipments/ Fruit 

and Vegetables Analyst
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Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Quarter-to-quarter landed costs. From quarter to quarter, landed costs increased for all grains shipped via both 

routes. For all waterborne grain, landed costs rose because of higher transport costs and higher farm values (table 1 

and fig. 1). For all grain via the land route, higher farm values were the main drivers of higher landed costs (table 1 

and fig. 2). The transportation share of landed costs ranged from 12 percent to 26 percent for the water route and 

from 22 percent to 40 percent for the land route (see table 1).

Year-to-year landed costs. From year to year, landed costs increased for waterborne corn and soybeans because 

of higher transportation costs and farm values. For waterborne wheat and all grains shipped by land routes, higher 

farm values mainly drove rising landed costs.

U.S. Exports to Mexico: According to USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service, Mexico imported 3.44 mmt of U.S. 

corn, 1.43 mmt of U.S. soybeans, and 0.67 mmt of U.S. wheat in fourth quarter 2020. Quarter to quarter, these 

imports amounted to 6 percent more corn and 37 percent more soybeans, but 7 percent less wheat. Year to year, 

U.S. inspections for export to Mexico rose by 12 percent for corn and 10 percent for soybeans, while falling 22 

percent for wheat.

Ocean Freight Rates: Ocean freight rates for shipping bulk grains to Mexico remained relatively stable during the 

fourth quarter, compared to the previous quarter, decreased from a year earlier, and increased above the 4-year 

average. In the fourth quarter, the cost of shipping a metric ton (mt) of grain, via 25,000 ton-capacity vessels from 

the U.S. Gulf to Veracruz, Mexico, averaged $17.40 per mt. This was just 1 percent more than the previous quarter, 

3 percent less than the same period last year, and 3 percent above the prior 4-year average. The cost of shipping 

in a 35,000-40,000 ton-capacity vessel averaged $14.43 per mt. This was unchanged from the previous quarter, 

6-percent decrease from the same quarter last year, and 1-percent decrease from the prior 4-year average. Dry bulk

trade, including grain, remained strong during the quarter, supporting the rates.

Railroad: In fourth quarter 2020, railroads transported 36,045 carloads of grain and oilseeds to Mexico, down 

9 percent quarter to quarter, and down 13 percent year to year. Tariff rail rates per grain car averaged $7,684, 

unchanged quarter to quarter and year to year, but up 2 percent from the prior-3-year average. Fuel surcharges 

per railcar averaged $125, down 14 percent quarter to quarter, down 48 percent year to year, and down 35 percent 

from the prior-3-year average. Overall, rail transportation costs (tariff rates plus fuel surcharges) were unchanged 

quarter to quarter and down 2 percent year to year, but up 1 percent from the prior-3-year average.

Fruit and Vegetables

In fourth quarter 2020, total reported shipments of fruits and vegetables from Mexico were 2.68 million tons, 

a 15-percent increase from year to year. The sum of the top five commodities increased by 143,000 tons, or 

15 percent. At 319,000 tons—a 9-percent increase from year to year—avocadoes were the largest reported 

refrigerated truck import from Mexico by volume. 

Truck rates for shipments crossing the Arizona border into Mexico and traveling 501-1,500 miles averaged $2.81 per 

mile, up 30 percent quarter to quarter and 27 percent year to year. Rates for shipments crossing the Texas-Mexico 

border and traveling 501-1,500 miles averaged $2.88 per mile, up 22 percent quarter to quarter and 29 percent 

year to year. 

Diesel fuel prices for Texas-Mexico border crossings averaged $2.22 per gallon for the quarter. Diesel fuel prices for 

Arizona-Mexico border crossings averaged $2.65 per gallon. Truck availability in Arizona fluctuated throughout the 

quarter between adequate and shortage conditions. On average, conditions fell into the slight shortage category. 

Similarly, truck availability in Texas fluctuated from adequate to shortage throughout the quarter also averaging in 

the slight shortage category. 
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Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

2020

Water route (to Veracruz) Land route (to Guadalajara)

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

US$/metric ton US$/metric ton

Corn

Origin IL IA

Truck 10.70 9.70 12.38 11.38 11.04 4.62 3.83 3.93 4.85 4.31

Rail1 96.35 94.48 94.63 94.04 94.88

Barge 15.55 14.53 21.58* 25.88 18.65

Ocean2 13.64 12.41 14.39 14.43 13.72

Total transportation cost 39.89 36.64 48.35 51.69 44.14 100.97 98.31 98.56 98.89 99.18

Farm price3 138.05 126.11 128.34 147.50 135.00 146.45 124.80 126.11 150.65 137.00

Landed cost4 177.94 162.75 176.69 199.19 179.14 247.42 223.11 224.67 249.54 236.19

Transport % of landed cost 22.4 22.5 27.4 26.0 24.6 40.8 44.1 43.9 39.6 42.0

Soybeans

Origin IL NE

Truck 10.70 9.70 12.38 11.38 11.04 4.62 3.83 3.93 4.85 4.31

Rail1 98.97 97.15 97.11 96.55 97.45

Barge 15.55 14.53 21.58* 25.88 18.65

Ocean2 13.64 12.41 14.39 14.43 13.72

Total transportation cost 39.89 36.64 48.35 51.69 44.14 103.59 100.98 101.04 101.40 101.75

Farm price3 325.55 309.87 331.06 370.25 334.18 307.30 295.05 312.81 368.05 320.80

Landed cost4 365.44 346.51 379.41 421.94 378.33 410.89 396.03 413.85 469.45 422.56

Transport % of landed cost 10.9 10.6 12.7 12.3 11.6 25.2 25.5 24.4 21.6 24.2

Wheat

Origin KS KS

Truck 4.62 3.83 3.93 4.85 4.31 4.62 3.83 3.93 4.85 4.31

Rail1 43.31 43.31 42.07 42.07 42.69 83.27 81.10 81.17 80.17 81.43

Ocean2 13.64 12.41 14.39 14.43 13.72

Total transportation cost 61.57 59.55 60.39 61.35 60.72 87.89 84.93 85.10 85.02 85.74

Farm price3 160.81 162.65 158.37 193.39 168.81 160.81 162.65 158.37 193.39 168.81

Landed cost4 222.38 222.20 218.76 254.74 229.52 248.70 247.58 243.47 278.41 254.54

Transport % of landed cost 27.7 26.8 27.6 24.1 26.5 35.3 34.3 35.0 30.5 33.8

1Rail rates include U.S. and Mexico portions of the movement. Mexico rail rates are estimated based on actual quoted market rates. BNSF 

and Union Pacific quoted rail tariff rates are through rates for shuttle trains. Rail rates include fuel surcharges, but do not include the cost of 

purchasing empty rail cars in the secondary market, which could exceed the rail tariff rate plus the fuel surcharge shown in the table.

2Source for ocean rates: O’Neil Commodity Consulting, Inc.

3Source for farm rates: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

*Due to the closure of several lock and dam facilities on Illinois River between July 1 and October 27, 2020, mid-Mississippi barge rate was

substituted for Illinois rate as the benchmark for calculating cost index during the closures.

4

Landed cost is total transportation cost plus the farm price.

Note: Total may not add exactly because of rounding.

Source: Compiled by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Table 1. Quarterly costs of transporting U.S. grain and soybeans to Mexico
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Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Note: IL = Illinois; KS = Kansas

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service

Figure 1. Water route shipment costs ($/mt) to Veracruz, Mexico

Figure 2. Land route shipment costs ($/mt) to Guadalajara, Mexico

Barge

$25.88

Rail

$42.07

Ocean

$14.43

Ocean

$14.43

Truck

$11.38

Truck

Farm value $4.85

$147.50

Farm value

$370.25

Farm value

$193.39

0.00

50.00

100.00

150.00

200.00

250.00

300.00

350.00

400.00

450.00

500.00

IL: Corn IL: Soybean KS: Wheat

Total=$199.19

Total=$254.74

Total=$421.94

Rail

$94.04

Rail

$96.55 Rail

$80.17

Farm value

$150.65

Farm value

$368.05

Farm value

$193.39

0.00

50.00

100.00

150.00

200.00

250.00

300.00

350.00

400.00

450.00

500.00

IA: Corn NE: Soybean KS: Wheat

Total=$469.45

Total=$278.41 Total=$249.54

Truck

$4.85

Truck

$4.85

Note: IA = Iowa; NE = Nebraska; KS = Kansas

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service 
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Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Quarterly Bulk Grain and Soybe

Table 2. Quarterly tariff rail rates for U.S. bulk grain shipments to Mexico (US$/car), 2020

Tariff rate/car1 Fuel surcharge per car2

Commodity Origin 

State

Destination 1st 

qtr

2nd 

qtr

3rd 

qtr

4th 

qtr Avg

1st 

qtr

2nd 

qtr

3rd 

qtr

4th 

qtr Avg

Wheat

 MT Chihuahua, CI 7,509 7,509 7,426 7,384 7,457 0 0 0 0 0

 OK Cuautitlan, EM 6,775 6,775 6,733 6,713 6,749 137 88 46 46 80

 KS Guadalajara, JA 7,534 7,534 7,492 7,471 7,507 616 404 453 375 462

 TX Salinas Victoria, NL 4,329 4,329 4,329 4,341 4,332 83 53 28 28 48

Corn

 IA Guadalajara, JA 8,902 8,902 8,902 8,902 8,902 527 345 359 302 383

 SD Celaya, GJ 8,140 8,140 8,140 8,140 8,140 0 0 0 0 0

 NE Queretaro, QA 8,278 8,278 8,278 8,300 8,284 284 181 92 92 162

 SD Salinas Victoria, NL 6,905 6,905 6,905 6,905 6,905 0 0 0 0 0

 MO Tlalnepantla, EM 7,643 7,643 7,643 7,665 7,648 277 176 90 90 158

 SD Torreon, CU 7,690 7,690 7,690 7,690 7,690 0 0 0 0 0

Soybeans

 MO Bojay (Tula), HG 8,547 8,547 8,538 8,547 8,544 493 322 338 285 359

 NE Guadalajara, JA 9,172 9,172 9,158 9,157 9,164 515 337 346 293 372

 IA El Castillo, JA 9,490 9,490 9,463 9,410 9,463 0 0 0 0 0

 KS Torreon, CU 7,964 7,964 7,972 8,014 7,978 356 233 227 194 253

Sorghum

 NE Celaya, GJ 7,772 7,772 7,772 7,772 7,772 467 305 309 261 335

 KS Queretaro, QA 8,108 8,108 8,108 8,108 8,108 171 110 58 58 99

 NE Salinas Victoria, NL 6,713 6,713 6,713 6,713 6,713 137 88 47 47 80

 NE Torreon, CU 7,157 7,092 7,092 7,092 7,108 331 213 200 172 229

1

Rates are based upon published tariff rates for high-capacity shuttle trains. Shuttle trains are available for qualified shipments of 75-110 

cars that meet railroad efficiency requirements. The cost of obtaining empty grain cars in the Secondary Grain Car markets, which in times 

of high demand may exceed the tariff rate plus fuel surcharge, is not included.

2

Approximate load per car = 97.87 mt: corn & sorghum 56 lbs/bu, wheat & soybeans 60 lbs/bu

Sources: www.bnsf.com; www.uprr.com; www.kcsouthern.com
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Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Table 3. Quarterly tariff rail rates plus fuel surcharges for U.S. bulk grain shipments 

to Mexico, 2020

Tariff1 plus fuel surcharge per:

US$/metric ton US$/bushel2

Commodity Origin 

State

Destination 1st 

qtr

2nd 

qtr

3rd 

qtr

4th 

qtr Avg

1st 

qtr

2nd 

qtr

3rd 

qtr

4th 

qtr Avg

Wheat

 MT Chihuahua, CI 76.72 76.72 75.87 75.45 76.19 2.09 2.09 2.06 2.05 2.07

 OK Cuautitlan, EM 70.63 70.13 69.27 69.06 69.77 1.92 1.91 1.88 1.88 1.90

 KS Guadalajara, JA 83.27 81.10 81.17 80.17 81.43 2.26 2.21 2.21 2.18 2.21

 TX Salinas Victoria, NL 45.08 44.77 44.51 44.64 44.75 1.23 1.22 1.21 1.21 1.22

Corn

 IA Guadalajara, JA 96.35 94.48 94.63 94.04 94.87 2.44 2.40 2.40 2.39 2.41

 SD Celaya, GJ 83.17 83.17 83.17 83.17 83.17 2.11 2.11 2.11 2.11 2.11

 NE Queretaro, QA 87.49 86.43 85.53 85.75 86.30 2.22 2.19 2.17 2.18 2.19

 SD Salinas Victoria, NL 70.55 70.55 70.55 70.55 70.55 1.79 1.79 1.79 1.79 1.79

 MO Tlalnepantla, EM 80.93 79.89 79.01 79.23 79.77 2.05 2.03 2.01 2.01 2.02

 SD Torreon, CU 78.57 78.57 78.57 78.57 78.57 1.99 1.99 1.99 1.99 1.99

Soybeans

 MO Bojay (Tula), HG 92.36 90.62 90.69 90.23 90.98 2.51 2.46 2.47 2.45 2.47

 NE Guadalajara, JA 98.97 97.15 97.11 96.55 97.44 2.69 2.64 2.64 2.62 2.65

 IA El Castillo, JA 96.97 96.97 96.69 96.15 96.69 2.64 2.64 2.63 2.61 2.63

 KS Torreon, CU 85.01 83.75 83.77 83.86 84.10 2.31 2.28 2.28 2.28 2.29

Sorghum

 NE Celaya, GJ 84.18 82.53 82.56 82.07 82.84 2.14 2.09 2.10 2.08 2.10

 KS Queretaro, QA 84.59 83.97 83.43 83.43 83.85 2.15 2.13 2.12 2.12 2.13

 NE Salinas Victoria, NL 69.99 69.49 69.06 69.06 69.40 1.78 1.76 1.75 1.75 1.76

 NE Torreon, CU 76.51 74.64 74.51 74.22 74.97 1.94 1.89 1.89 1.88 1.90

1

Rates are based upon published tariff rates for high-capacity shuttle trains. Shuttle trains are available for qualified shipments of 75-110 

cars that meet railroad efficiency requirements. The cost of obtaining empty grain cars in the Secondary Grain Car markets, which in times 

of high demand may exceed the tariff rate plus fuel surcharge, is not included.

2

Approximate load per car = 97.87 mt: corn & sorghum 56 lbs/bu, wheat & soybeans 60 lbs/bu

Sources: www.bnsf.com; www.uprr.com; www.kcsouthern.com
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Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Table 4. Quarterly exports of U.S. distillers’ dried grains with soluble (DDGS) to Mexico*

Thousand metric tons 

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

2010 439 399 424 383 1,645

2011 506 430 476 369 1,781

2012 426 388 352 332 1,498

2013 284 329 290 381 1,285

2014 356 420 366 435 1,577

2015 497 276 413 463 1,649

2016 483 467 470 490 1,910

2017 604 475 551 551 2,181

2018 516 516 514 467 2,013

2019 410 574 475 491 1,950

2020 526 344 396 476 1,742

*Data are for brewers’ and distillers’ dregs and waste, of which Distillers’ Dried Grains with Soluble is a principal component. 

Source: USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS), Feed grains database
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Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

US$/metric ton

Vessel capacity 

(metric ton) 1st qtr 2012 2nd qtr 2012 3rd qtr 2012 4th qtr 2012 Average

25,000 20.28 20.79 20.68 18.73 20.12

35-40,000 18.37 18.62 18.53 16.73 18.06

Vessel capacity 

(metric ton) 1st qtr 2013 2nd qtr 2013 3rd qtr 2013 4th qtr 2013 Average

25,000 20.19 19.59 20.47 20.01 20.07

35-40,000 17.89 17.58 17.85 17.13 17.61

Vessel capacity 

(metric ton) 1st qtr 2014 2nd qtr 2014 3rd qtr 2014 4th qtr 2014 Average

25,000 20.08 17.48 15.75 16.32 17.41

35-40,000 17.53 15.48 13.56 13.96 15.13

Vessel capacity 

(metric ton) 1st qtr 2015 2nd qtr 2015 3rd qtr 2015 4th qtr 2015 Average

25,000 13.67 14.23 14.59 13.95 14.11

35-40,000 11.63 11.89 12.85 12.12 12.12

Vessel capacity 

(metric ton) 1st qtr 2016 2nd qtr 2016 3rd qtr 2016 4th qtr 2016 Average

25,000 12.34 13.47 15.00 14.85 13.92

35-40,000 10.44 11.65 13.20 13.26 12.14

Vessel capacity 

(metric ton) 1st qtr 2017 2nd qtr 2017 3rd qtr 2017 4th qtr 2017 Average

25,000 16.03 14.85 15.16 16.69 15.68

35-40,000 14.27 12.95 12.98 14.26 13.62

Vessel capacity

 (metric ton) 1st qtr 2018 2nd qtr 2018 3rd qtr 2018 4th qtr 2018 Average

25,000 16.11 16.20 16.68 17.94 16.73

35-40,000 13.97 14.07 14.68 15.63 14.59

Vessel capacity

(metric ton) 1st qtr 2019 2nd qtr 2019 3rd qtr 2019 4th qtr 2019 Average

25,000 16.37 16.65 18.27 17.98 17.32

35-40,000 13.89 14.01 15.50 15.23 14.66

Vessel capacity

(metric ton) 1st qtr 2020 2nd qtr 2020 3rd qtr 2020 4th qtr 2020 Average

25,000 16.37 15.31 17.20 17.40 16.57

35-40,000 13.64 12.41 14.39 14.43 13.72

Source: O’Neil Commodity Consulting

Table 5. Quarterly ocean freight rate for bulk grain shipments 

from the U.S. Gulf to Veracruz, Mexico
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Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Fruit and Veget

Table 6. Fruit and vegetable truck rates for shipments between 501 to 1,500 miles crossing 

the U.S.-Mexico border 

US$/mile

Origin/border crossing 1st qtr 2012 2nd qtr 2012 3rd qtr 2012 4th qtr 2012 Average

Nogales, Arizona 2.00 2.57 1.84 1.92 2.08

Pharr, Texas 1.97 2.26 1.89 2.09 2.05

Origin/border crossing 1st qtr 2013 2nd qtr 2013 3rd qtr 2013 4th qtr 2013 Average

Nogales, Arizona 2.34 2.59 1.63 2.33 2.22

Pharr, Texas 2.15 2.33 2.02 2.01 2.13

Origin/border crossing 1st qtr 2014 2nd qtr 2014 3rd qtr 2014 4th qtr 2014 Average

Nogales, Arizona 2.46 2.69 1.74 2.31 2.30

Pharr, Texas 2.32 2.53 2.12 2.13 2.28

Origin/border crossing 1st qtr 2015 2nd qtr 2015 3rd qtr 2015 4th qtr 2015 Average

Nogales, Arizona 2.41 2.49 2.71 2.51 2.53

Pharr, Texas 2.26 2.23 2.50 2.27 2.32

Origin/border crossing 1st qtr 2016 2nd qtr 2016 3rd qtr 2016 4th qtr 2016 Average

Nogales, Arizona 2.31 2.43 2.53 2.65 2.48

Pharr, Texas 2.98 2.17 2.24 2.34 2.43

Origin/border crossing 1st qtr 2017 2nd qtr 2017 3rd qtr 2017 4th qtr 2017 Average

Nogales, Arizona 2.05 2.32 2.45 2.38 2.30

Pharr, Texas 2.16 2.21 2.00 2.36 2.18

Origin/border crossing 1st qtr 2018 2nd qtr 2018 3rd qtr 2018 4th qtr 2018 Average

Nogales, Arizona 2.92 3.21 2.75 2.47 2.84

Pharr, Texas 2.95 3.13 2.27 2.34 2.67

Origin/border crossing 1st qtr 2019 2nd qtr 2019 3rd qtr 2019 4th qtr 2019 Average

Nogales, Arizona 2.52 2.7 2.52 2.21 2.49

Pharr, Texas 2.45 2.28 2.04 2.23 2.25

Origin/border crossing 1st qtr 2020 2nd qtr 2020 3rd qtr 2020 4th qtr 2020 Average

Nogales, Arizona 2.53 2.55 2.16 2.81 2.51

Pharr, Texas 2.49 2.25 2.35 2.88 2.49

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Program, Market News Division
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Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Table 7. Quarterly U.S.-Mexico border crossing fresh fruit and vegetables truck availability

4th quarter 2020

Legend: 1 =Surplus 2 = Slight surplus 3 = Adequate 4 = Slight shortage 5 = Shortage

Truck availability

Mexico border crossings/month October November December

Week ending 10/6 10/13 10/20 10/27 11/3 11/10 11/17 11/24 12/1 12/8 12/15 12/22 12/29

Through 

Nogales, AZ

Tomatoes, Squash, 

Cucumbers, 

Mangoes, Honeydew, 

Watermelons, Mixed 

Fruits, Vegetables

3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 3 3 4 5 5

Through TX

Vegetables, Limes, 

Mangoes, Onions, 

Tomatoes, Broccoli, 

Mixed Fruits

4 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 3 3 5 5

Note: NA = not available.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crop Program, Market News Division, Fruit and Vegetable Truck Rate Report

Table 8. Top ten commodities shipped by truck to the U.S. from Mexico, 2020 

(1,000 metric tons)

Commodity 4th qtr 2020 Rank

Avocados 320 1

Cucumbers 237 2

Tomatoes 227 3

Squash 170 4

Peppers, other 169 5

Tomatoes, plum type 168 6

Limes 155 7

Watermelon, seedless 133 8

Peppers, bell type 132 9

Broccoli 93 10

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Program, Market News Division
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Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Table 9. Top five commodities shipped by truck to the U.S. from Mexico (10,000 lbs)

Commodity 1st qtr 2013 2nd qtr 2013 3rd qtr 2013 4th qtr 2013 Total 2013

Tomatoes (all varieties) 88,753 75,505 43,373 52,154 259,785

Peppers (all varieties) 55,952 35,111 27,341 51,481 169,885

Avocados 38,933 26,387 15,049 30,766 111,135

Cucumbers 38,877 30,555 11,592 31,523 112,547

Onions (dry and green) 24,818 22,138 7,584 8,070 62,610

Subtotal 247,333 189,696 104,939 173,994 715,962

Other 206,944 271,688 126,051 168,680 773,363

Total 454,277 461,384 230,990 342,674 1,489,325

Commodity 1st qtr 2014 2nd qtr 2014 3rd qtr 2014 4th qtr 2014 Total 2014

Tomatoes (all varieties) 102,223 75,885 41,364 59,367 278,839

Peppers (all varieties) 61,170 32,403 28,315 49,764 171,652

Cucumbers 25,327 8,7584 3,815 20,131 136,857

Avocados 37,704 25,948 26,937 39,197 129,786

Squash 4,7115 30,353 12,534 37,227 127,229

Subtotal 273,539 252,173 112,965 205,686 844,363

Other 218,822 231,589 126,002 166,317 742,730

Total 492,361 483,762 238,967 372,003 1,587,093

Commodity 1st qtr 2015 2nd qtr 2015 3rd qtr 2015 4th qtr 2015 Total 2015

Tomatoes (all varieties) 97,953 71,449 45,992 65,381 280,775

Peppers (all varieties) 44,215 37,154 43,044 49,722 174,135

Cucumbers 59,876 33,752 30,679 47,396 171,703

Avocados 23,537 95,273 7,213 23,195 149,218

Squash 49,684 33,603 15,717 37,875 136,879

Subtotal 275,265 271,231 142,645 223,569 912,710

Other 232,251 250,443 138,828 185,012 806,534

Total 507,516 521,674 281,473 408,581 1,719,244

Commodity 1st qtr 2016 2nd qtr 2016 3rd qtr 2016 4th qtr 2016 Total 2016

Tomatoes (all varieties) 131,455 89,313 51,983 66,534 339,285

Peppers (all varieties) 61,450 40,970 33,631 65,270 201,321

Cucumbers 60,241 37,679 34,993 40,457 173,370

Avocados 21,726 85,723 7,560 33,670 148,679

Squash 48,999 32,842 14,670 39,803 136,314

Subtotal 323,871 286,527 142,837 245,734 998,969

Other 270,078 265,393 157,375 201,602 894,448

Total 593,949 551,920 300,212 447,336 1,893,417

Source: Data is obtained from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through USDA, AMS, 

Market News

-continued on page 12-
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Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Commodity 1st qtr 2017 2nd qtr 2017 3rd qtr 2017 4th qtr 2017 Total 2017

Tomatoes (all varieties) 107,852 82,194 49,088 73,166 312,300

Peppers (all varieties) 67,566 38,714 31,137 59,172 196,589

Cucumbers 49,565 36,996 32,133 47,015 165,709

Avocados 47,336 32,892 16,064 44,415 140,707

Squash 31,890 68,086 5,264 33,293 138,533

Subtotal 304,209 258,882 133,686 257,061 953,838

Other 291,177 291,747 170,323 205,516 958,763

Total 595,386 550,629 304,009 462,577 1,912,601

Commodity 1st qtr 2018 2nd qtr 2018 3rd qtr 2018 4th qtr 2018 Total 2018

Tomatoes (all varieties) 105,364 79,851 49,278 62,478 296,971

Peppers (all varieties) 74,252 46,390 35,103 57,726 213,471

Cucumbers 55,189 49,914 35,246 49,781 190,130

Avocados 51,964 36,452 14,131 43,288 145,835

Squash 28,829 75,429 6,062 27,782 138,102

Subtotal 315,598 288,036 139,820 241,055 984,509

Other 296,266 281,580 156,781 205,426 940,053

Total 611,864 569,616 296,601 446,481 1,924,562

Commodity 1st qtr 2020 2nd qtr 2020 3rd qtr 2020 4th qtr 2020 Total 2020

Tomatoes (all varieties) 105,181 82,796 66,804 83,797 334,784

Peppers (all varieties) 72,764 47,080 39,078 60,235 217,633

Cucumbers 58,796 48,461 45,480 63,907 217,195

Avocados 51,075 71,858 12,878 47,328 154,587

Squash 33,236 3,6687 20,722 38,603 150,683

Subtotal 32,1052 28,6882 184,962 293,870 1,074,882

Other 287,121 304,600 191,721 241,370 1,028,093

Total 608,173 591,482 376,683 535,240 2,102,975

Source: Data is obtained from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through USDA, AMS, 

Market News

Commodity 1st qtr 2019 2nd qtr 2019 3rd qtr 2019 4th qtr 2019 Total 2019

Tomatoes (all varieties) 95,760 78,123 55,836 69,366 299,085

Peppers (all varieties) 65,865 45,479 38,006 56,847 206,197

Cucumbers 57,162 25,622 42,135 58,520 183,439

Avocados 24,868 88,165 11,138 30,506 154,677

Squash 48,614 34,729 18,919 41,334 143,596

Subtotal 292,269 272,118 166,034 256,573 986,994

Other 272,760 262,948 182,481 213,013 931,202

Total 565,029 535,066 348,515 469,586 1,918,196
13

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Preferred Citation:

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service. Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report.

May 2021. Web. <http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS054.05-2021>

Photo Credit: USDA

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Related Websites:

• U.S. Grain and Soybean Exports to Mexico — A Modal Share Transportation Analysis (PDF)

• Grain Transportation Report

• Agricultural Refrigerated Truck Quarterly

Data Sets (all XLS files):

• Figure 1: Water route shipment costs ($/mt) to Veracruz, Mexico 

• Figure 2: Land route shipment costs ($/mt) to Guadalajara, Mexico

• Table 1: Quarterly costs of transporting U.S. grain and soybeans to Mexico

• Table 2: Quarterly tariff rail rates for U.S. bulk grain shipments to Mexico (US$/car), 2020

• Table 3: Quarterly tariff rail rates plus fuel surcharge for U.S. bulk grain shipments to Mexico, 2020

• Table 4: Quarterly exports of U.S. Distillers’ Dried Grains with Soluble (DDGS) to Mexico

• Table 5: Quarterly ocean freight rate for bulk shipments from the U.S. Gulf to Veracruz, Mexico

• Table 6: Fruit and vegetable truck rates for shipments between 501 and 1,500 miles crossing the U.S.-

Mexico border

• Table 7: Quarterly U.S.-Mexico border crossing fresh fruit and vegetables truck availability

• Table 8: Top ten commodities shipped by truck to the U.S. from Mexico, 2020 (1,000 metric tons)

• Table 9: Top five commodities shipped by truck to the U.S. from Mexico (10,000 lbs)