Record Brazilian soy harvest faces logistics challenges

Animal nutrition expert and ANFNC president Iani Chihaia stated that Brazil is harvesting what could be its largest soybean crop ever — nearly 180 million tons — but logistics once again remain the weak link.

At the port of Miritituba in Pará state, a 39-kilometer queue of trucks has formed, blocking access to terminals and highlighting persistent infrastructure gaps along the BR-163 highway. Mud, potholes, and unfinished paving on critical stretches have turned the peak harvest season into a true bottleneck for shipments.

Chihaia noted that BR-163 is a key export corridor for Mato Grosso soybeans: when rain hits unpaved sections, truck flow slows dramatically, waiting times rise, freight costs increase, and contract deadlines tighten. With harvest progress reaching 30% of planted area compared to 39% at the same time last year, volumes are being compressed into shorter shipping windows, putting simultaneous pressure on roads and ports.

In addition to road issues, further strain comes from disruptions at Cargill’s river terminal in Santarém, temporarily halted due to a protest by indigenous groups opposing dredging plans on the Tapajós River. Last year, the terminal handled 5.5 million tons of grain, over 70% of which was soy and corn.

According to Chihaia, while Brazil’s production potential is massive, the real test lies in moving the crop efficiently. Logistic challenges could result in higher freight premiums, basis volatility, export timing shifts, and increased demurrage risk. “A record harvest does not automatically translate into record export efficiency. When roads clog and terminals pause, margins tighten across the chain — from farm gate to global buyer,” she emphasized.

Tags: export, Brazil, soybean, logistics