Brazil Soybean Transportation: Mato Grosso Exports Almost Half its Production

摘要

Brazil is the second largest soybean exporter after the United States. Mato Grosso (MT), the largest soybean producer and exporter, produces 30 percent of total Brazilian soybeans and exports almost half of its production. The majority of the Brazilian soybean exports are shipped through the Port of Santos, followed by the Ports of Paranagua, Rio Grande, Vitoria, and Sao Francisco. Transportation costs from Sorriso, North MT, to Shanghai declined 19 percent from the same period last year due to plummeting truck rates. During the first quarter 2009, the cost of shipping a metric ton (mt) of soybeans 100 miles by truck decreased to $7.28 from $9.87 in 2008. Truck rates usually increase from the end of February to March due to the soybean harvest. This year, however, first quarter truck rates did not increase as much as the same period last year because of delays in the soybean harvest, depreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar, and lack of fertilizer supply to backhaul from the Port of Santos. This resulted in an oversupply of trucks at the Port and a shortage at the main production regions. The lack of rain during the months of December and January delayed the soybean planting season and postponed the harvest season, especially in the state of MT. The states of Parana, Santa Catarina, and Mato Grosso do Sul were also affected by the lack of rain.