Title: The exportation of Brazilian raw sugar: an analysis of economic impacts from railway mode

Authors: Bruno Rógora Kawano; Giana De Vargas Mores; Roberto Fray Da Silva; Carlos Eduardo Cugnasca

Addresses: Department of Energy, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, Room 301, 200 Mendeleyev Street, Barao Geraldo, Campinas, State of São Paulo, 13083-860, Brazil ' Center for Studies and Research in Agribusiness, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 7712 Bento Gonçalves Avenue, Agronomia, 33086-586, Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil ' Department of Computer Engineering and Digital Systems, Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, Prof. Luciano Gualberto Avenue, bystreet 3, n. 158, University Campus, 05508-970, São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil ' Department of Computer Engineering and Digital Systems, Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, Prof. Luciano Gualberto Avenue, bystreet 3, n. 158, University Campus, 05508-970, São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract: The growing demand for products originated from Brazilian sugarcane has created the need to adapt the supply chain by focusing on clients' growing demands for quality, low prices and goods produced sustainably. The sugar market is one of the most important in Brazil and has one of the best organised supply chains in the agricultural sector. Because of the market's high competitiveness, logistics has become a key component. The aim of this paper is to compare roadway and railway modes in the transportation of sugar from the sugar mills to the harbour in Santos. The comparison is mainly based on distance ranges. The results show that the transportation costs for rail were lower than those for roads in all distance ranges analysed.

Keywords: supply chain management; SCM; modal shift; roads; railways; road transport; rail transport; agribusiness logistics; sugarcane; management; transport costs; environmental impact; demand; raw sugar exports; GHG emissions; greenhouse gases; agriculture; Brazil; sustainable development; sustainability; food quality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2013.052063

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2013 Vol.14 No.3, pp.315 - 328

Published online: 28 Jun 2013 *

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