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
“Good flies? Is that like a good fire ant?” Miller said. “I don’t know what a good fly is. I don’t know if they’re afraid to kill house flies or stable flies, but I’m ready to kill the screwworm fly.”
October 13, 2025 01:28 PM
·
Escalating U.S.–China tensions threaten soybean demand as farm finances are stretched further.
October 13, 2025 10:40 AM
·
Expect a steady corn grind and selective basis strength where exports and local blending stay active.
October 09, 2025 05:10 PM
·
ock NH3 early, track China’s Oct. 15 call and any U.S. Russia-UAN action, stay nimble on urea, and budget cautiously for high-priced phosphate.
October 09, 2025 05:06 PM
·
Expect business-as-usual for most container exports.
October 09, 2025 05:04 PM
·
CoBank Lead Grains Economist Tanner Ehmke joins us to share insight and concerns over current grain storage capacity as export demand lags.
October 09, 2025 01:36 PM
·
As the government shutdown pushes the farm economy closer to the brink, Sens. Grassley and Ernst of Iowa are raising their voices for agriculture.
October 09, 2025 11:50 AM
·
October 09, 2025 11:36 AM
·
Plan for a cooler global trade market in 2026 with tighter margins on exports, potential rate shifts, and premiums for reliable deliveries into Asian and African growth markets.
October 07, 2025 03:24 PM
·
