Corn freight rates fall after second crop harvest

The end of the second-crop harvest, especially corn, had a direct impact on grain freight prices in major producing states. Mato Grosso, Goiás, Paraná, and Mato Grosso do Sul saw a drop in prices for road transportation services in August on most routes analyzed by the National Supply Company (Conab). This information is contained in the September edition of the Logistics Bulletin, released this Monday (29).

According to Thomé Guth, Superintendent of Operational Logistics at Conab, the record production of the 2024/25 season increased the need for rapid crop movement, which raised freight prices in July, considered the peak of the period. "Despite the drop in prices in August, the current level is still higher than that recorded at the same time of the previous harvest. Prices are expected to remain stable in the coming months due to high supply and dynamic demand, both domestic and foreign, especially for animal feed and bioenergy," explained Guth.

Photo: Jaelson Lucas

Movements across states varied regionally. In Maranhão, prices fell, while in Piauí, the market remained stable, reflecting a slower pace of corn flow. In Bahia, freight rates remained stable and then increased, particularly in the Luís Eduardo Magalhães region, where demand for grain and fiber transportation drove up prices. In the Federal District, there was a generalized price increase in August, especially on routes to Imbituba (SC), Uberaba and Araguari (MG), and Guarujá (SP), with positive variations ranging from 10% to 12%.

In terms of exports, corn shipped in August totaled 17.9 million tons, compared to 15.7 million in the same month last year. The ports of the Northern Arc led the flow, accounting for 39.8% of the total, followed by Santos (29.6%), São Francisco do Sul (11.6%), Paranaguá (11.4%) and Rio Grande (5%).

Soybeans in grains, between January and August, totaled 86.5 million tons exported, higher than the 83.4 million in the same period of 2024. The Arco Norte concentrated 37.5% of the movement, while Santos accounted for 34.2%, Paranaguá for 12.9% and São Francisco do Sul for 5.2%.

Conab's Logistics Bulletin is a monthly publication that analyzes agricultural sector logistics, Brazilian export performance, cargo movement, and the main harvest routes. The full September 2025 edition is now available on the company's website.