The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Grain Transportation Report reported that U.S. Class I railroads originated 31,877 grain carloads during the week ending January 17, marking a 31% increase from last year and 26% above the three-year average, despite declining 1% from the previous week.
Average February shuttle secondary railcar bids reached $750 above tariff for the week ending January 22, representing a $200 increase from the previous week and $584 more than this time last year. Non-shuttle secondary railcar bids averaged $3 above tariff, down $9 from last week and $191 lower than last year.
Barged grain movements totaled 567,800 tons for the week ending January 24, climbing 27% from the previous week but falling 13% below the same period last year. During this timeframe, 409 grain barges moved downriver, 95 more than the previous week.
The Gulf saw 30 oceangoing grain vessels loaded during the week ending January 22, representing a 30% increase from the same period last year. Looking ahead, 44 vessels were expected to be loaded within the next 10 days starting January 23, 10% fewer than the same period last year.
The rate for shipping grain from the U.S. Gulf to Japan reached $50.75 per metric ton as of January 22, up 3% from the previous week. The Pacific Northwest to Japan rate increased 4% to $28.50 per metric ton.
For the week ending January 26, the U.S. average diesel fuel price rose 9.4 cents from the previous week to $3.624 per gallon, sitting 3.5 cents below the same week last year.
