NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD NEWS) — Transportation costs climbed from the second to the third quarter of 2025 for both U.S. and Brazilian soybean exports, reshaping landed costs and export competitiveness into China and Europe. New analysis from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service shows higher barge and ocean freight rates were the primary drivers, even as farm values softened in parts of the United States.
For U.S. soybeans moving to China, total transportation costs rose on Gulf and Pacific Northwest routes. Higher barge rates tied to low Mississippi River water levels and firm ocean freight demand outweighed modest declines in truck and rail costs. Despite rising transport expenses, lower farm prices helped limit increases in landed costs, particularly for PNW shipments.
Brazil faced sharper cost pressure. Truck and ocean freight rates increased for shipments to both China and Germany, pushing Brazilian landed costs higher quarter to quarter and year over year. Transportation accounted for as much as 27 percent of Brazil’s landed cost into China during the third quarter.
Year to year, U.S. landed costs declined while Brazil’s rose, reinforcing a shifting competitive balance. However, Brazil is still projected to dominate global exports in 2025/26, while U.S. shipments to China remain sharply lower.
Farm-Level Takeaw
ay: Freight volatility and route selection remain critical to soybean export margins and competitiveness.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Global trade teams and summit discussions highlight expanding opportunities for U.S. corn and ethanol exports as nations explore renewable fuel options and reduced-carbon energy pathways.
October 20, 2025 11:17 AM
·
Slightly higher output amid softer gasoline pull points to steady corn grind — watch regional stocks and export pace for basis clues.
October 17, 2025 04:59 PM
·
Soybean farmer and Arkansas Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge highlights why the U.S. trade standoff with China is especially critical for Arkansas producers.
October 17, 2025 04:07 PM
·
NEFB President Mark McHargue provides an update from the Husker State, where farmers are working hard to bring in one of the largest harvests in recent years.
October 17, 2025 04:06 PM
·
President Donald Trump says a deal is nearly done on lowering beef prices, but he has not released details.
October 17, 2025 11:31 AM
·
Large carryover stocks continue to put pressure on commodity prices, creating uncertainty for growers looking to market their grain.
October 16, 2025 04:20 PM
·
Peel says Mexico has a much greater capability to expand its beef industry than it did 20 or 30 years ago in terms of its feeding and packing infrastructure.
October 16, 2025 03:59 PM
·
Record crops are increasing grain storage needs, prompting safety experts to remind producers of the risk of grain bin entrapment during harvest.
October 16, 2025 01:26 PM
·
The impacts of the government shutdown have reached commodity growers with crops to move, ag economists monitoring the harvest without key data reporting, and meat producers in need of new export markets.
October 16, 2025 01:03 PM
·
