The price of oil is a determining factor in the economics of several production chains. As the most widely used fuel in the world, its volatility affects logistics costs

With this in mind, we invited expert Rodrigo Lamberti, grain risk management specialist at Hedgepoint, to explain the impact of oil prices on the agricultural market. We explore the impact of this variable on key issues for the sector, such as the return on investment for producers. Join our analysis and enjoy the read! 

The price of oil and its impact on the base 

According to the expert, the price of oil has a direct impact on the costs of various agricultural sectors, with an emphasis on logistics costs such as freight and storage. Logistics costs have a direct impact on the “basis” or “premium” of an agricultural product. These terms represent the difference between the international exchange price of a commodity and its local market value. 

Freight is one of the most important components in grain pricing. The higher the logistics costs, the lower the premium (basis) in that location and, therefore, the lower the amount the producer receives,” Lamberti says. 

In Brazil, this impact on the premium can be even greater, given the predominance of road transport in the country. According to a study conducted by Esalq-LOG (Research and Extension Group in Agroindustrial Logistics) in collaboration with the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), in 2019 trucks will be responsible for 69% of corn transportation in Brazil. For soybeans, this percentage was 67%. 

Below, you can follow the road flow of grains in Brazil (in orange). The data was collected by the CNA (Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock): 

Source: CNA  

According to the expert, “the dependence on road transportation makes the Brazilian agricultural sector more vulnerable to the price of oil through its derivative products, such as diesel”. This influence of fuel is also increased by the long distances traveled by trucks to transport grains. The material published by Esalq-LOG and the USDA highlights that the average delivery distance for soybeans and corn in Brazil is 574 miles or 923 kilometers

“During the harvest, the high demand for transportation also causes an increase in freight prices. This increase is another variable that has a direct impact on the margin of the agricultural producer,” adds the Hedgepoint expert. In addition, the concentration of deliveries also overloads the available fleet and further increases logistics costs. 

Read also: 

• The impact of Brazilian monetary policy on the commodity market 

International Freight and the Impact of Oil 

In addition to its direct impact on domestic road transportation, the price of oil also affects the price of internationally traded agricultural products. The expert points out that marine diesel, known as bunker fuel, is mostly made from oil. Any increase in prices affects the agricultural sector, as the amount of fuel consumed in this type of transportation is even greater. 

“In addition, international conflicts can change logistical routes, significantly increasing the delivery distance. In these cases, freight becomes even more expensive,” says the expert

On the other hand, the rise in oil prices can also have a positive effect on some agricultural sectors. Currently, biodiesel production is on the rise, and biofuel itself is increasing its share in transportation, including bio-bunkers. .

According to Lamberti, because they are substitutes, the rise in the price of fossil fuels opens space for the growth in demand for biofuels produced from agricultural products, which in turn generates greater demand for soybean oil, corn and sugar cane, for example.

Also read: 

• The potential of the bio-bunker market in the world 

The link between storage and freight costs 

Rodrigo Lamberti highlights the impact of grain storage on freight costs. The expert points out that Brazil has a storage capacity lower than its total grain production, which forces producers to sell their stocks quickly, even in unfavorable market conditions.

“The lack of storage often leads to significant quality losses, as grain stored on the ground is exposed to the weather. In addition, producers who have to pay for space or invest in their own warehouses face additional costs that affect their margins,” explains Lamberti. 

Data published by Conab (National Supply Company) highlights this storage deficit. See below the latest information published by the institution:

Source: Conab 

In 2024, the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) published that the available capacity for grain storage in Brazil in the first half of the year was 5.4% higher than in the previous half. The website also points out that stocks increased by 15.5% compared to last year

Also read: 

• The importance of the Brazilian soybean sowing window 

Logistics solutions in the agricultural sector

According to Lamberti, the market has adopted measures to overcome these costs, which are influenced by the long distances traveled by road. Although road transport still dominates, Brazil has made progress in diversifying its logistics. The use of rail, waterways and cabotage (maritime transport between national ports) are promising alternatives to reduce dependence on trucks. 

“Innovations such as cabotage can make transportation more efficient and take advantage of Brazil’s maritime potential. The use of alternative fuels (such as bio-bunkers) is also a trend that can reduce dependence on oil,” says Lamberti. 

The study by Esalq-LOG in collaboration with the USDA reports that the share of road transport in the flow of Brazilian grains will decrease by 8% from 2010 to 2019. With the reduction in road use, there was a 4% increase in the use of rail and a 4% increase in the use of river transport. 

Also read: 

• Understanding the influence of the Federal Reserve (FED) on the Brazilian economy 

Hedging tools: financial protection for farmers 

Finally, the expert emphasizes that there are ways to protect farmers financially. Even if the premium (basis) remains exposed to local freight and storage conditions, the producer can use hedging to lock in the price of two other volatile components: the value of the commodity (grain) on the exchange and the exchange rate. .

At Hedgepoint, you can count on agricultural commodity hedging experts to put these products to work. Contact our team to learn more! 

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