Mar 31, 2026
Update on Railroad Projects in the State of Mato Grosso
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Mato Grosso is the largest grain producing state in Brazil and there are three railroad projects ongoing in the state to help move the grain, the Ferrograo Railroad in northern Mato Grosso, the Ferronorte Railroad in southeastern Mato Grosso, and the FATO-FICO Railroad in eastern Mato Grosso.
On the map below of Mato Grosso, the Ferrograo Railroad is the clear line heading north, the Ferronorte Railroad is the dark blue line in the southeastern part of the state, and the FATO-FICO railroad is the light blue line in the eastern part of the state. The green shaded areas depict soybean production in this very large state which is as large as the U.S. Midwest.
Map of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.
The largest project is the Ferrograo Railroad (Grain Railroad) between the city of Sinop in northern Mato Grosso and ports on the Amazon River (clear line in the northern part of the state). Bidding on the project is planned for later in 2026, but it has been tied up in court battles for years and it is uncertain when bidding might occur. Indigenous and environmental groups have been opposed to this project since its inception.
Two other rail projects in Mato Grosso continue to move forward. Most notable is the Ferronorte Railroad (North Railroad) between the city of Rondonopolis in southeastern Mato Grosso and the state capital of Cuiaba and the city of Lucas do Rio Verde in south central Mato Grosso (dark blue line in the southeastern part of the state).
The Ferronorte extension between Rondonopolis and the city of Dom Aquino is 86% complete with 110 kilometers of rail. Eventually there will be a spur line to the state capital of Cuiaba while the main line continues to Lucas do Rio Verde, which is in the heart of soybean and corn production. Ferronorte is operated by Rumo with the end being the port of Santos, Brazil's largest port.
The third railroad is the FATO-FICO Railroad (East-West Railroad) which will enter eastern Mato Grosso from Goias (light blue line in the eastern part of the state). Construction has made it to the border of Mato Grosso where a bridge over the Araguaia River is under construction. Eventually, this railroad will extend to the city of Lucas do Rio Verde in Mato Grosso. In the state of Goias, it will connect to the North-South Railroad and ports on the Atlantic Ocean.
These three railroads will eventually reduce transportation costs for moving soybeans and corn to Brazil's ports by an estimated 40%, making Brazilian grain even more competitive in the international market.