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

First Quarter 2019 (January, February, March)

Published July 31, 2019

Summary: What Happened

U.S. Grain Transportation Costs to Mexico Declined 

Transportation Costs: During the first quarter of 2019, total transportation 

costs of shipping grain (corn, soybeans, and wheat) from the United States 

to Mexico, via land and sea routes, fell from the previous quarter (see May 

30, 2019 Grain Transportation Report (GTR)). Compared to the previous 

quarter, the transportation costs of shipping grain via the water route 

declined 4 percent due to a fall in truck and ocean freight rates during 

the quarter. The costs of shipping grain by land declined 1 percent from 

the previous quarter. Similarly, truck rates fell for shipments through the 

land route, although tariff rail rates remained relatively unchanged. The 

reduction in truck rates was partly caused by lower diesel prices during the 

quarter, especially from January to mid-February when the prices fell (see 

May 30, 2019 GTR figure 13). Compared to the previous quarter and a year 

earlier, ocean freight rates for shipping bulk commodities, including grains, 

fell during the quarter (see April 25, 2019 GTR). Lower ocean freight rates 

were partly attributed to a slowdown in trade activity due to New Year 

holidays around the world, including the Chinese New Year celebration. Coal 

trade also slowed because of high coal inventories at Chinese ports. Also, 

due to bad weather in Australia and a collapsed dam in Brazil, there was a 

low supply of iron ore from both countries (see April 25, 2019 GTR).

Year-to-year transportation costs decreased for seaborne corn and 

soybeans, but increased for wheat. Transportation costs for all grains 

shipped through the land route also increased from year to year. Corn and 

wheat farm values increased from quarter to quarter and year to year, 

pushing up the landed costs. Farm values for Illinois soybeans decreased 

from quarter to quarter and year to year. Farm values for Nebraska 

soybeans increased from quarter to quarter but decreased from year to 

year. However, the transportation share of the landed costs for corn and 

wheat declined, compared to the previous quarter, while the soybean 

transportation share remained the same (see May 30, 2019 GTR). The 

landed cost ranged from $188 to $369 per metric ton (mt), for the water 

Contac

Informatio

Surajudeen Olowolayemo, 

Coordinator/Ocean Bulk 

Shipments/Livestock Analyst

Jesse Gastelle, Rail/Fruit and 

Vegatables Analyst

April Taylor, Container Shipments/ 

Fruit and Vegetables Analyst

Content

Summary: 

What Happened? 1

Quarterly Bulk Grain 

and Soybeans 6

Livestock 10

Fruit and Vegetable 11

Subscription Information 15

Data Sets 15
2

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

route (see table 1 and figure 1), and $235 to $401 per mt, for the land route (see table 1 and figure 2). The 

transportation share of the landed cost ranged from 13 to 25 percent, for the water route, and 25 to 41 percent, for 

the land route (see table 1).

According to USDA’s grain inspection data, less corn and soybeans, but more wheat, were inspected for export to 

Mexico during the first quarter of 2019, compared to the previous quarter. However, more corn, soybeans, and 

wheat were inspected for exports to Mexico, compared to the same period a year ago. During the first quarter of 

2019, 3.06 million metric tons (mmt) of corn, 1.12 mmt of soybeans, and .70 mmt of wheat were inspected for 

export to Mexico. In comparison, inspections of corn, soybeans, and wheat for export to Mexico were 2.78 mmt, 

.91 mmt and .63 mmt, respectively, during the first quarter of 2018. In 2019, total inspections of corn, soybeans and 

wheat for export to Mexico were higher than in 2018 by 10, 24, and 11 percent, respectively. The proximity of the 

United States to Mexico, coupled with lower transportation costs, could continue to boost the competitiveness of 

U.S. grain exports to Mexico.

Ocean Freight Rates: Compared to the previous quarter, ocean freight rates for shipping bulk grains to Mexico 

decreased during the first quarter. However, the rates were above the 4-year average. During the quarter, the cost 

of shipping a metric ton of grain, via 25,000-ton capacity vessel, from the U.S. Gulf to Veracruz, Mexico, averaged 

$16.37 per mt. This is 9 percent less than the previous quarter, 2 percent more than the same period last year, and 

13 percent above the 4-year average. The cost of shipping in a 35-40,000-ton capacity vessel averaged $13.89 per 

mt. This represents an 11 percent decrease from the previous quarter, a 1 percent decrease from the same quarter 

last year, and10 percent above the 4-year average. As mentioned, ocean freight rates fell from the previous quarter 

due to a slowdown in trade activity caused by the New Year holidays around the world— including the Chinese New 

Year celebration— and an iron ore supply disruption in Australia and Brazil (see April 25, 2019 GTR).

Railroad: During the first quarter of 2019, railroads transported 31,917 carloads of grain and oilseeds to Mexico, 

down 27 percent from the previous quarter but up 16 percent from the first quarter of 2018. Tariff rail rates per 

grain car averaged $7,521, reflecting no change from the fourth quarter of 2019, while showing a 2 percent increase 

from the first quarter of 2018 and the prior 3-year average. Fuel surcharges per railcar averaged $200, down 7 

percent from the previous quarter, but up 36 percent from the first quarter of 2018, and 106 percent above the 

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

previous quarter, up 3 percent from first quarter of 2018, and 4 percent higher than the prior 3-year average.

Fruit and Vegetables from Mexico to U.S. Declined

During the first quarter of 2019, reported shipments of fruits and vegetables from Mexico totaled 3.03 million tons, 

a 1 percent decrease from the same quarter last year. The sum of the top five commodities increased 3,700 tons 

or 0.3 percent. Avocados had the largest shipments to the U.S., with 333,000 tons, a 21 percent increase from last 

year.

Truck rates for shipments between 501 and 1,500 miles, through the Texas border crossings, averaged $2.45 per 

mile. The average is 4 percent higher than last quarter, but 17 percent lower than the same quarter last year. Rates 

for shipments between 501 and 1,500 miles, through the Arizona border crossings, averaged $2.52 per mile, which 

is 2 percent higher than last quarter, but 14 percent lower than the same quarter last year. 

Diesel fuel prices, for border crossings through Texas, averaged $2.82 per gallon. Diesel fuel prices, for border 

crossings through Arizona, averaged $3.13 per gallon. Truck availability was mostly adequate for Texas during the 

quarter. The Arizona border experienced slight surplus to adequate truck availability throughout the quarter.
3

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

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 8.78 8.78 4.37 4.37

Rail1 91.00 91.00

Barge 24.50 24.50

Ocean2 13.89 13.89

Total transportation cost 47.17 47.17 95.37 95.37

Farm price3 141.20 141.20 139.49 139.49

Landed cost4 188.37 188.37 234.86 234.86

Transport % of landed cost 25.0 25.0 40.6 40.6

Soybeans

Origin IL NE

Truck 8.78 8.78 4.37 4.37

Rail1 94.21 94.21

Barge 24.50 24.50

Ocean2 13.89 13.89

Total transportation cost 47.17 47.17 98.58 98.58

Farm price3 321.87 321.87 302.89 302.89

Landed cost4 369.04 369.04 401.47 401.47

Transport % of landed cost 12.8 12.8 24.6 24.6

Wheat

Origin KS KS

Truck 4.37 4.37 4.37 4.37

Rail1 42.66 42.66 79.65 79.65

Ocean2 13.89 13.89

Total transportation cost 60.92 60.92 84.02 84.02

Farm price3 181.39 181.39 181.39 181.39

Landed cost4 242.31 242.31 265.41 265.41

Transport % of landed cost 25.1 25.1 31.7 31.7

1

Rail 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.

2

Source: O’Neil Commodity Consulting, Inc.

3

Source: USDA/NASS

4

Landed cost is total transportation cost plus the farm price.

Table 1. Quarterly costs of transporting U.S. grain and soybeans to Mexico, 2019
4

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

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

$24.50

Rail

$42.66

Ocean

$13.89

Ocean

$13.89

Truck

$8.78 Truck

$4.37

Farm value

$141.20

Farm value

$321.87

Farm value

$181.39

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=$188.37

Total=$242.31

Total=$369.04

Rail

$91.00

Rail

$94.21 Rail

$79.65

Farm value

$139.49

Farm value

$302.89

Farm value

$181.39

0.00

50.00

100.00

150.00

200.00

250.00

300.00

350.00

400.00

450.00

IA: Corn NE: Soybean KS: Wheat

Total=$401.47

Total=$265.41

Total=$234.86

Truck

$4.37

Truck

$4.37

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service 
5

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Livestock Exports to Mexico Decreased

The U.S. exported 31,137 head of livestock to Mexico during the first quarter (see table 6), reflecting decreases of 

24 percent from the previous quarter and 10 percent from the same quarter last year. Horses remain the largest 

livestock export to Mexico (see table 6). In total, 16,226 head of horses crossed the border (52 percent of the total 

head count), followed by hogs with a head count of 8,152 (26 percent), dairy cattle with 4,738 head count (15 

percent), and sheep with 1,521 head count (5 percent). Most of the animals crossed through Santa Teresa, NM, 

Brownsville, Presidio and El Paso, TX (see figure 3).

Figure 3. Livestock Border Crossing to Mexico during the 1st quarter 2019
6

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), 2019

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 7,284 7,284 0 0

 OK Cuautitlan, EM 6,743 6,743 149 149

 KS Guadalajara, JA 7,371 7,371 424 424

 TX Salinas Victoria, NL 4,329 4,329 91 91

Corn

 IA Guadalajara, JA 8,528 8,528 378 378

 SD Celaya, GJ 7,880 7,880 0 0

 NE Queretaro, QA 8,207 8,207 311 311

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

 MO Tlalnepantla, EM 7,573 7,573 303 303

 SD Torreon, CU 7,480 7,480 0 0

Soybeans

 MO Bojay (Tula), HG 8,284 8,284 350 350

 NE Guadalajara, JA 8,842 8,842 379 379

 IA El Castillo, JA 9,110 9,110 0 0

 KS Torreon, CU 7,714 7,714 277 277

Sorghum

 NE Celaya, GJ 7,527 7,527 346 346

 KS Queretaro, QA 8,000 8,000 186 186

 NE Salinas Victoria, NL 6,633 6,633 149 149

 NE Torreon, CU 6,962 6,962 262 262

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
7

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

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

to Mexico, 2019

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 74.43 74.43 2.02 2.02

 OK Cuautitlan, EM 70.42 70.42 1.91 1.91

 KS Guadalajara, JA 79.65 79.65 2.17 2.17

 TX Salinas Victoria, NL 45.16 45.16 1.23 1.23

Corn

 IA Guadalajara, JA 91.00 91.00 2.31 2.31

 SD Celaya, GJ 80.51 80.51 2.04 2.04

 NE Queretaro, QA 87.03 87.03 2.21 2.21

 SD Salinas Victoria, NL 70.55 70.55 1.79 1.79

 MO Tlalnepantla, EM 80.48 80.48 2.04 2.04

 SD Torreon, CU 76.43 76.43 1.94 1.94

Soybeans

 MO Bojay (Tula), HG 88.22 88.22 2.40 2.40

 NE Guadalajara, JA 94.21 94.21 2.56 2.56

 IA El Castillo, JA 93.08 93.08 2.53 2.53

 KS Torreon, CU 81.64 81.64 2.22 2.22

Sorghum

 NE Celaya, GJ 80.44 80.44 2.04 2.04

 KS Queretaro, QA 83.64 83.64 2.12 2.12

 NE Salinas Victoria, NL 69.29 69.29 1.76 1.76

 NE Torreon, CU 73.81 73.81 1.87 1.87

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
8

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

2009 316 377 371 395 1,459

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 490 490

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

On November 2, 2010, data was revised.

Source: USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS), Feed grains database
9

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

US$/metric ton

Vessel capacity 

(metric ton) 1st qtr 2011 2nd qtr 2011 3rd qtr 2011 4th qtr 2011 Average

25,000 21.71 21.13 21.96 23.29 22.02

35-40,000 18.75 18.86 19.89 21.21 19.68

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 16.37

35-40,000 13.89 13.89

Source: O’Neil Commodity Consulting

Table 5. Quarterly ocean freight rate for bulk grain shipments 

from the U.S. Gulf to Veracruz, Mexico
10

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Lives

Table 6. U.S. livestock exports to Mexico by border crossing* (head) January-March 2019

Category NM AZ TX Total

Beef cattle

Slaughter 0 0 0 0

Breeding males 49 23 250 322

Breeding females 0 0 158 158

Total beef 49 23 408 480

Hogs

Slaughter 0 0 0 0

Breeding males 0 177 530 707

Breeding females 0 1,259 6,186 7,445

Total hogs 0 1,436 6,716 8,152

Sheep

Slaughter lambs 0 0 0 0

Slaughter ewes 0 0 1,521 1,521

Breeding males 0 0 0 0

Breeding females 0 0 0 0

Total sheep 0 0 1,521 1,521

Dairy cattle

Breeding males 0 0 4 4

Breeding females 2,132 0 2,602 4,734

Total dairy 2,132 0 2,606 4,738

Goats

Angora 0 0 0 0

Spanish 0 0 0 0

Other 0 0 0 0

Total goats 0 0 0 0

Horses

Slaughter 2,342 0 12,244 14,586

Breeding males 166 120 297 583

Breeding females 283 66 441 790

Geldings 91 2 104 197

Burro/mule/pony 0 1 69 70

Total horses 2,882 189 13,155 16,226

Exotics** 0 0 20 20

Grand total 5,063 1,648 24,426 31,137

*Weekly AMS data will not necessarily sum to the total U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of Census data.

**Refer to animals that are not included in other categories such as zebras, deer, elephants, and yaks.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Livestock and Seed Programs
11

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Fruit and Vege

Table 7. 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 2011 2nd qtr 2011 3rd qtr 2011 4th qtr 2011 Average

Nogales, Arizona 1.87 2.38 1.85 1.80 1.97

Pharr, Texas 1.84 2.12 1.77 1.87 1.90

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 2.52

Pharr, Texas 2.45 2.45

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Speciality Crops Program, Market News Division
12

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Table 8. Quarterly U.S.-Mexico border crossing fresh fruit and vegetables truck availability

1st quarter 2019

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

Truck availability

Mexico border crossings/month January February March

Week 1/1 1/8 1/15 1/22 1/29 2/5 2/12 2/19 2/26 3/5 3/12 3/19 3/26

Through 

Nogales, AZ

Tomatoes, Squash, 

Cucumbers, 

Mangoes, Honeydew, 

Watermelons, Mixed 

Fruits, Vegetables

5 1 1 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3

Through TX

Vegetables, Limes, 

Mangoes, Onions, 

Tomatoes, Broccoli, 

Mixed Fruits

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2

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

Table 9. Top ten commodities shipped by truck to the U.S. from Mexico, 2019 (10,000 lbs)

Commodity 1st qtr 2019 Rank

Avocados 66,751 1

Cucumbers 50,934 2

Tomatoes 47,682 3

Peppers, Bell Type 43,360 4

Tomatoes, Plum Type 42,111 5

Squash 36,760 6

Limes 28,043 7

Peppers, Other 25,295 8

Strawberries 21,429 9

Broccoli 19,598 10

Source: USDA, AMS, Specialty Crops Program, Market News Division
13

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

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

Commodity 1st qtr 2012 2nd qtr 2012 3rd qtr 2012 4th qtr 2012 Total 2012

Tomatoes (all varieties) 99,264 69,282 41,120 57,099 266,765

Peppers (all varieties) 56,506 33,399 25,990 33,073 148,968

Cucumbers 42,668 25,798 11,919 30,383 110,768

Onions (dry and green) 29,949 20,020 8,122 8,744 66,835

Squash 26,776 16,033 3,401 19,556 65,766

Subtotal 255,163 164,532 90,552 148,855 659,102

Other 200,550 256,945 122,889 190,616 771,000

Total 455,713 421,477 213,441 339,471 1,430,102

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) 102,175 77,596 40,598 56,783 277,152

Peppers (all varieties) 62,356 33,083 27,349 48,167 170,955

Cucumbers 47,565 30,978 12,150 35,905 126,598

Avocados 37,085 26,363 26,044 39,140 128,632

Squash 29,622 16,334 3,814 22,495 72,265

Subtotal 278,803 184,354 109,955 202,490 775,602

Other 214,020 306,544 126,219 160,627 807,410

Total 492,823 490,898 236,174 363,117 1,583,012

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 2015 2nd qtr 2015 3rd qtr 2015 4th qtr 2015 Total 2015

Tomatoes (all varieties) 99,053 73,537 42,002 61,571 276,163

Peppers (all varieties) 61,334 34,579 28,060 46,690 170,663

Cucumbers 50,114 34,601 14,335 35,947 134,997

Avocadoes 44,510 37,667 39,582 49,063 170,822

Squash 29,026 18,088 3,527 23,863 74,504

Subtotal 284,037 198,472 127,506 217,134 827,149

Other 225,053 334,134 130,249 179,649 869,085

Total 509,090 532,606 257,755 396,783 1,696,234
14

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

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

Tomatoes (all varieties) 122,571 105,099 49,289 66,534 343,493

Peppers (all varieties) 57,984 46,626 33,631 65,270 203,511

Cucumbers 45,829 37,791 14,670 39,803 138,093

Avocadoes 57,605 40,197 34,993 40,457 173,252

Squash 31,051 26,672 5,322 30,711 93,756

Subtotal 315,040 256,385 137,905 242,775 952,105

Other 242,834 350,555 162,307 204,561 960,257

Total 557,874 606,940 300,212 447,336 1,912,362

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

Tomatoes (all varieties) 107,194 82,449 48,893 73,581 312,117

Peppers (all varieties) 67,337 38,757 30,928 59,131 196,153

Cucumbers 47,202 32,892 16,021 44,297 140,412

Avocadoes 49,557 36,996 31,683 47,011 165,247

Squash 31,937 20,737 5,099 33,126 90,899

Subtotal 303,227 211,831 132,624 257,146 904,828

Other 289,814 339,353 170,127 206,746 1,006,040

Total 593,041 551,184 302,751 463,892 1,910,868

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 2018 2nd qtr 2018 3rd qtr 2018 4th qtr 2018 Total 2018

Tomatoes (all varieties) 105,274 80,008 49,400 62,553 297,235

Peppers (all varieties) 73,682 46,268 35,266 57,763 212,979

Cucumbers 44,297 36,450 36,046 50,126 190,506

Avocadoes 47,011 49,914 14,131 43,301 145,721

Squash 33,126 22,075 6,150 27,782 137,900

Subtotal 303,390 234,715 140,993 241,525 984,341

Other 304,695 335,630 156,881 205,849 939,337

Total 608,085 570,345 297,874 447,374 1,923,678

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

Tomatoes (all varieties) 98,631 98,631

Peppers (all varieties) 68,655 68,655

Cucumbers 66,751 66,751

Avocadoes 50,934 50,934

Squash 36,760 36,760

Subtotal 321,731 321,731

Other 284,125 28,4125

Total 605,856 605856
15

Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report

Preferred Citation:

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

July 2019. Web. <http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS054.07-2019>

Photo Credit: USDA

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

For assistance with accessibility issues related to this document, please email jessica.ladd@usda.gov.

Subscription Information: 

Send e-mail address to GTRContactUs@usda.gov to be added to our distribution list.

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, 2019

• Table 2: Quarterly tariff rail rates for U.S. bulk grain shipments to Mexico (US$/car), 2019

• Table 3: Quarterly tariff rail rates plus fuel surcharge for U.S. bulk grain shipments to Mexico, 2019

• 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: U.S. livestock exports to Mexico by border crossing (head) January-March 2018

• Table 7: Fruit and vegetable truck rates for shipments between 501 and 1,500 miles crossing the U.S.-

Mexico border

• Table 8: Quarterly U.S.-Mexico border crossing fresh fruit and vegetables truck availability

• Table 9: Top ten commodities shipped by truck to the U.S. from Mexico, 2019 (10,000 lbs)

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