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
Grain shippers face lower freight values thanks to weak soybean exports and strong rail service, but barge traffic and forward Gulf loadings suggest continued uncertainty as harvest ramps up.
September 17, 2025 04:01 PM
·
The Fertilizer Research Act, reintroduced by Sens. Grassley, Ernst, and Baldwin, would direct the USDA to study and publish public reports on competition and pricing trends in the fertilizer market.
September 16, 2025 05:08 PM
·
Producers may need to prepare for margin pressure in livestock feeding, while dairy farmers could benefit from stronger product demand.
September 16, 2025 12:42 PM
·
Farmers await concrete trade commitments from China. Until then, export prospects for soybeans, corn, and sorghum remain uncertain against strong South American competition.
September 16, 2025 11:04 AM
·
National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust said farmers face a challenging year with strong supply, murky trade conditions, and uncertain access to their largest market: China.
September 15, 2025 01:59 PM
·
U.S. trade talks with China resume, but meat industry leaders say dealing with shifting demand and market uncertainty is nothing new in this side of the ag sector.
September 15, 2025 12:57 PM
·
