Performance evaluation of agricultural commodity logistics from a sustainability perspective

Author(s)

de Oliveira, Andrea Leda Ramos ; Marsola, Karina Braga ; Milanez, Ana Paula ; Fatoretto, Sandra Liege Renner

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CASE STUDIES ON TRANSPORT POLICY; v. 10, n. 1, p. 12-pg., 2022-03-11.

Abstract

Brazil is an important player in the international agricultural market and productivity and production indexes have been growing significantly. However, logistics costs cut into these gains, specially transportation and storage costs, affecting exportation. The lack of investments in logistics infrastructure has limited its growth potential. Assuming that the use of transportation costs to measure efficiency does not fully explain the ad-vantages of exportation routes, this study aims to evaluate the performance of Mato Grosso soybean flow routes intended for exportation. The performance assessment considers the economic, social, and environmental di-mensions supported by the concept of sustainability for unimodal and multimodal routes. Causal loops were created for the three dimensions evaluated resulting in the inputs used for the data envelopment analysis (DEA). Multiple criteria related to economic, environmental, and social performance were considered simultaneously. In addition, the logistics routes were analyzed statistically through principal component analysis (PCA) and grouped with the support of clustering analysis. The results showed that the use of intermodality affects gains in the three analyzed dimensions, and that the routes directed to the new Brazilian ports were promising but projects in transshipment terminals are necessary. These findings can support strategic decision-making regarding the choice of routes, improving the exportation process, as well as directing public investment in logistics infrastructure. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/11631-7 - Performance assessments of export logistics of Brazilian soybeans: an application of data envelopment analysis
• Grantee: Andréa Leda Ramos de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants