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U.S. soybean exporters faced higher shipping costs to China and Europe in Q1 2026 than in late 2025, according to USDA's Grain Transportation Report. Higher diesel prices, weather-related Mississippi River disruptions that cut barge volumes, and rising ocean freight rates drove the increase.
Transportation made up a large share of landed costs, and Brazil's costs were higher still.
Higher freight and fuel costs widen the export cost gap for U.S. soybeans against Brazil and reduce the margin available to exporters and farm-gate prices. Barge and ocean freight rates are likely to stay firm while fuel costs remain elevated.
feedandgrain.comFeed, Grain StaffSep 10, 2026After 297 past bearish logistics events, SOY moved a median +0.3% over 5 sessions (54% higher; middle half -1.5% to +1.8%), and +0.7% over 20.
Not enough comparable past events yet for a historical read.
Not enough comparable past events yet for a historical read.
After 113 past bullish logistics events, DIESEL moved a median +0.6% over 5 sessions (54% higher; middle half -2.8% to +4.2%), and +0.2% over 20.
Moves of each commodity's benchmark from the last close before the event. Historical reads pool past events of the same kind; they describe what happened, not what will. Not investment advice.
