The U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest Grain Transportation Report reveals a decline in export sales for major grains, while transportation indicators show mixed trends for the week ending March 22, 2025.
Unshipped balances of corn, soybeans, and wheat for the 2024/25 marketing year totaled 31.90 million metric tons, down 3% from the previous week but up 18% from last year. Notably, wheat export sales saw a significant drop of 132% from the previous week.
Rail transportation showed a slight decrease, with U.S. Class I railroads originating 25,678 grain carloads, 1% less than the previous week but 4% more than last year. Secondary railcar bids decreased, with April shuttle bids $184 above tariff, $9 less than last week and $447 lower than last year.
Barge movements totaled 670,400 tons, 9% less than the previous week and 21% less than the same period last year. However, grain barge unloads in the New Orleans region increased by 21% from the previous week.
Ocean freight rates increased slightly, with the cost of shipping grain from the U.S. Gulf to Japan rising 3% to $47.50 per metric ton.
The U.S. average diesel price increased 1.8 cents to $3.567 per gallon, though still 46.7 cents below last year's price.
