Freight prices begin to cool as soybean harvest ends

The main grain shipping routes in important producing states are beginning to show a cooling in freight prices. The drop is mainly explained by the end of the soybean harvest. This is the scenario found in Mato Grosso, where a reduction in prices was observed on all routes, with the decrease beginning in the regions where the oilseed harvest was completed first. The data is in the April edition of the Logistics Bulletin of the National Supply Company (Conab), published on the Company's website.

“However, even if the current situation is one of decline, there is the prospect of support for road freight prices and logistical growth in the near future, possibly even in the first half of the year, before the start of the corn harvest, which should keep prices at a high level, even if lower than the values reached at the epicenter of the harvest”, ponders the superintendent of Operational Logistics at Cona, Thomé Guth.

According to Conab's analysis, the proximity of a large corn harvest should significantly boost logistics, providing a scenario that supports prices. In addition, the trade dispute between the United States and China could direct a significant portion of international demand to Brazilian production, which is another factor influencing higher prices for grain transportation services.

In addition to Mato Grosso, freight market prices fell in Goiás, Piauí, Maranhão and Paraná. In the state of Paraná, only routes originating in Ponta Grossa showed positive variation. In Bahia, the logistics flow for grain transportation showed behavior ranging from stability to increase, varying according to the location.

In the Federal District, a generalized increase in prices was observed in March of this year, with emphasis on

routes to Araguari and Uberaba, in Minas Gerais. However, the expectation for the coming months is of relative stability in prices, considering the exchange rate variation, the behavior of the fuel market and the lower demand for transportation after the peak of the soybean harvest.

The road freight market in Mato Grosso do Sul also maintained a trend of high prices, in a seasonal movement characteristic of the peak harvest period for summer crops. The flow of transport in March of this year was notably higher than in previous months, with a strong emphasis on soybeans, which almost tripled the volume transported in March, compared to February.

The increase was also recorded in Minas Gerais, where there was a large movement of products at the end of February and during March, especially soybeans, due to the increase in production and good commodity prices. In São Paulo, the oilseed harvest continues to exert an upward influence on freight prices. However, the increases were at lower levels.

Exports

Corn shipments in March this year were 5.9 million tons compared to 7 million in the same period of 2024. The port of Santos remains the main axis for the flow of the cereal, representing 29.1% of the movement compared to 32% in the same period of the previous year. Next, the ports of the Northern Arc shipped 26.3% of the grain shipped, the port of São Francisco do Sul 16%, while the port of Paranaguá recorded 12.7% of the volumes shipped.

Soybean exports reached 22.2 million tons in March. Santos also appears as the main exporter

port chosen by the producers, having shipped 36% of the volume. Shipments of the oilseed through the ports of the Northern Arc total 34.4% of national exports. 15.8% of the national volume were shipped through the port of Paranaguá, while 3.4% were shipped through the port of Rio Grande.

Conab's monthly newsletter collects data on the freight market in ten producing states, with analyses of the logistical aspects of the agricultural sector, the position of exports of important agricultural products in Brazil, analysis of the flow of cargo movement and a survey of the main routes used to transport the harvest. The Bulletin also provides information on the entry of fertilizers and fertilizers, in addition to the movement of Conab's stocks, carried out by carriers contracted via electronic auction. Check out the full edition of the Logistics Bulletin – April/2025, available at Company website.