The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's December 25 Grain Transportation Report showed that U.S. Class I railroads originated 28,543 grain carloads during the week ending December 13, marking a 7% decrease from the previous week but remaining steady compared to last year and slightly above the three-year average. The average December shuttle secondary railcar bids rose to $388 above tariff, up $8 from the prior week and $575 higher than the same week last year. Non-shuttle secondary railcar bids held steady at $0, a $25 increase from the previous week but $25 lower than last year.
Barge grain movements saw a significant decline, totaling 503,972 tons for the week ending December 20, down 42% from the prior week and 37% below the same period last year. The number of grain barges moving downriver dropped to 317, 244 fewer than the previous week. However, grain barge unloads in the New Orleans region increased by 28% to 866 barges.
Ocean shipments also declined, with 30 oceangoing grain vessels loaded in the Gulf during the week ending December 18, 14% fewer than last year. In the following 10 days, 42 vessels were expected to load, slightly below last year’s pace. Shipping rates from the U.S. Gulf to Japan fell 3% to $54.25 per metric ton, while rates from the Pacific Northwest to Japan dropped 5% to $29.50 per metric ton.
Diesel fuel prices averaged $3.544 per gallon for the week ending December 22, down 6.3 cents from the previous week but still 6.8 cents higher than last year.
Export sales for marketing year 2025/26 showed growth, with unshipped balances of corn, soybeans, and wheat reaching 43.01 million metric tons, up 5% from the prior week and 4% from last year. Net corn export sales rose 18% to 1.74 million metric tons, soybeans surged 54% to 2.40 million metric tons, and wheat increased 13% to 0.43 million metric tons, signaling strong demand despite transportation challenges.
