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The average freight price per km in Brazil rose to R$ 7.99 in March 2026. More expensive diesel, record harvest, and new ANTT rules explain the increase. See what changes.
The cost of road freight in Brazil registered an increase of 3.36% in March 2026, ending the month with an average value of R$ 7.99 per kilometer traveled — compared to R$ 7.73 recorded in February. The data comes from the Edenred Road Freight Index (IFR), based on exclusive information from the Repom platform. The increase was mainly driven by the surge in diesel prices, the transport of the largest grain harvest in the country’s history, and new regulatory obligations imposed by the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT).
Diesel surges at the pumps and pressures freight
The main driver of the increase in road transport in March was fuel. Tensions in the Middle East kept the global oil market pressured, and the impact was directly felt at Brazilian gas stations.
According to the Edenred Ticket Log Price Index (IPTL), the two types of diesel sold in Brazil had significant increases compared to February:
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| Type of fuel | Average price (Mar/26) | Variation vs. Feb/26 |
| Diesel S10 | R$ 7.10 / liter | +13.60% |
| Diesel S500 (common) | R$ 7.01 / liter | +12.34% |
This increase in fuel cost directly raised the operational expenses of transport companies, which passed part of the cost onto the freight price charged to the market.
Record harvest boosts demand for transport
In addition to diesel, the volume moved by agribusiness contributed to boosting demand for cargo. The National Supply Company (Conab) estimated the 2025/26 grain harvest at 353.4 million tons, a volume 0.3% higher than the previous cycle. If confirmed, the number will represent a new historical record for Brazilian production.
With more grains to transport, the demand for trucks increased, further pressuring road freight values during the harvest period.
New ANTT rules expand freight sector oversight
March also brought changes in the regulatory environment. ANTT began requiring the issuance of the Transport Operation Identifier Code (CIOT) for all freight operations, in addition to applying fines for those who do not comply with the minimum remuneration floor for truck drivers.
The measures aim to bring more transparency and oversight to the sector, but also tend to impact the operational costs of logistics companies. Among the expected effects of these determinations are:
- Greater control over compliance with the minimum freight rate;
- Reduction of informal operations in road transport;
- Possible increase in administrative costs for transport companies;
- Increased traceability in cargo operations.
Freight upward trend expected to continue in April
According to Vinicios Fernandes, Business Unit Director at Edenred Mobility, the scenario combines short- and long-term factors that keep the sector under pressure.
“The freight increase in March reflects a combination of structural and conjunctural factors. On one hand, we have international pressure on diesel prices; on the other, a still heated domestic environment, with sustained demand for transport. Additionally, regulatory changes such as the CIOT requirement also impact the sector’s cost dynamics. For the end of April, the price is expected to continue rising.”
Therefore, transport companies and shippers should prepare for another month of rising logistical costs. The combination of expensive fuel, heated demand, and stricter regulatory measures creates a scenario of continuous pressure on road freight prices in Brazil.
With information from Revista Cultivar
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