ESTIMATIVA DO CUSTO RODOVIÁRIO DA SOJA: UMA ANÁLISE DA ROTA SORRISO-SANTOS

The establishment of soybean in Brazil was fundamental to consolidation of agribusiness as a key activity of the Brazilian economy. The pursuit of competitiveness based on the management of costs is the main component for the full establishment of soybean in Brazil. In this way, an important component of the costs of the activity is the transport, especially road costs. This modal plays a fundamental role as an integration of the main producing areas to consuming centers, ports and intermodal terminals exporters. This study aims to estimate and analyze the cost of road transport of soybeans in 2012. To that end, the selected route starting in the city of Sorriso-MT (important production hub) and ending in out of the Port of Santos-SP (leading exporter). Among the main results, it was found that the main factors increasing or decreasing highway costs are fuel and purchase of automotive vehicle. Thus, the periodic systematization of highway costs is an important management tool to support strategic decisions on transport planning for producers, cooperatives and trading firms