The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service released its weekly Grain Transportation Report on May 1, 2025, highlighting key trends in export sales and various transportation modes for the week ending April 17.
Export sales for corn, soybeans, and wheat for marketing year 2024/25 totaled 25.05 million metric tons, down 6% week-over-week but up 24% year-over-year. Corn export sales decreased 26% to 1.15 million metric tons, while soybean sales fell 50% to 0.28 million metric tons. Wheat export sales saw a significant decline, dropping 289% to -0.15 million metric tons.
Rail transportation showed a 14% decrease in grain carloads from the previous week, with 24,366 originated by U.S. Class I railroads. Barge movements, however, increased 43% week-over-week and 52% year-over-year, totaling 670,133 tons.
Ocean freight saw 25 grain vessels loaded in the Gulf, 4% more than the same period last year. Shipping rates from the U.S. Gulf to Japan increased 1% to $45.75 per metric ton.
