BRAZIL'S SOYBEAN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM: A COMPARISON WITH THE U.S. SYSTEM

Several agribusiness firms and organizations are lobbying to have 600-foot locks on Upper Mississippi River dams extended to 1,200-feet. A major reason cited to support lock extensions is that Brazil is rapidly increasing its soybean production and improving its transportation system. These groups argue that Brazil will capture U.S. soybean export markets unless the Upper Mississippi River locks are extended to 1,200-feet to offset Brazil's declining transportation costs. This paper examines the recent and expected changes in Brazil soybean production and transportation systems. It compares the cost of producing and transporting soybeans from Mata Grosso, Brazil with those form Iowa. The paper concludes that Upper Mississippi River lock extension will not solve the problem of competition from Brazil.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Forum

  One Farragut Square South, Suite 500
  Washington, DC  United States  20006-4003
• Authors:
  • McVey, Marty J
  • Baumel, C Phillip
  • Wisner, Robert N
• Conference:
  • Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Forum
  • Location: Annapolis, Maryland
  • Date: 2000-11-29 to 2000-12-1
• Publication Date: 2000

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 468-486

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Agricultural products; Barge carriers; Exports; Locks (Waterways); Production control; Railroad rails; Soybeans; Trucks
• Geographic Terms: Brazil; Mississippi River
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Motor Carriers; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00804789
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 10 2001 12:00AM