Evaluating the logistics performance of Brazils corn exports: A proposal of indicators

Abstract

Despite significant advances in the Brazilian agriculture, the logistics costs, particularly transportation and storage costs continue to act as the main barriers that limit the potential of the Brazilian agribusiness. This study analyzes the logistics efficiency of the main flow routes for Brazil's agricultural production and exports -in particular, corn production and exports, among the major producing states and the main ports of Brazil. For this purpose, we develop a performance measurement system based on the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) using four models for efficiency analysis: financial, customer, internal business processes, and learning and growth. Tthe efficiency of the main routes was calculated using the data envelopment analysis (DEA). Our results suggest that the routes from Mato Grosso state to Santarem port using a road-waterway intermodal transport system were the most efficient on three of the four criteria. Thereafter, the relative efficiency of all main Brazilian routes was analyzed based on the four criteria, establishing the references and developing a standard model to evaluate other logistics systems.

Analysis of Spatial Autocorrelation of Grain Production and Agricultural Storage in Paraná

“…With data from the three main products (soybean, corn and wheat) grown in the state, it is possible to carry out a better strategic planning of the production, consumption of inputs and types of management used. However, the constant production records in the agricultural harvests over the years, either by increase of productivity or by expansion of the agricultural area, have increased the demand for storage capacity, becoming more and more chronic the grain storage deficits in Brazil (Oliveira & Cicolin, 2016). A second factor that may increase the pressure for storage is associated with falling commodity prices, which means that farmers do not sell their production waiting for better prices in the future.…”

Impact of Drought on the Life Cycle of Barge Transport

“…• 𝑑 𝑗 (7) where n represents the number of transport service components; and 𝑥 𝑖 𝑗 𝑟(𝑝 𝑗 ) ⁄ denotes the environmental interactions for a given transport component, considering a unit process (𝑝 𝑗 ) associated with a reference flow (𝑟(𝑝 𝑗 )).…”

“…On the other hand, the transport infrastructure available to the ports in the north harbors area uses a combination of road transport and the Madeira River [6]. The advantages of Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) make this mode of transport more suitable for the transportation of low-value-added cargo, such as agricultural commodities: greater energy efficiency, lower emission of pollutants, and greater cargo capacity, among others [7,8]. However, long travel times, high investments in infrastructure/adequacy of infrastructure, and susceptibility to hydrological regimes are some disadvantages of IWT [9].…”