Part 5/10:
The Mississippi's navigational advantages allow U.S. farmers to compete effectively in the global market for agricultural exports, particularly against Brazil, despite higher domestic production costs. In Brazil, the transportation of soybeans is primarily reliant on trucks and trains, which drive up costs compared to the cheap and abundant barge transport available in the U.S. As a result, American producers enjoy a significant cost advantage, facilitating exports to international buyers, including China.