The U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest Grain Transportation Report reveals contrasting trends across different transportation modes for the week ending April 5, 2025, despite stronger export sales figures.
Export sales showed significant improvement across all major grains. Corn export sales increased 13 percent to 1.17 million metric tons, soybean sales rose 21 percent to 0.41 million metric tons, and wheat sales surged 239 percent to 0.34 million metric tons compared to the previous week.
Rail transportation continued to strengthen, with U.S. Class I railroads originating 27,410 grain carloads, up 5 percent from the previous week and 10 percent higher than the same period last year. Secondary market rail car bids moderated significantly, with April shuttle bids averaging $55 above tariff, down $154 from the previous week.
In stark contrast, barge movements plummeted 47 percent to 366,950 tons compared to the previous week. Only 263 grain barges moved downriver, 311 fewer than the week before, representing a 13 percent decrease from the same period last year.
Ocean transportation remained relatively stable, with 28 oceangoing grain vessels loaded in the Gulf, 3 percent fewer than the same period last year. However, 40 vessels are expected to be loaded in the next 10 days, 11 percent more than last year.
Shipping rates from the U.S. Gulf to Japan remained unchanged at $47.75 per metric ton, while rates from the Pacific Northwest increased 2 percent to $28.50 per metric ton.
Diesel prices continued their upward trend, rising 4.7 cents to $3.639 per gallon, though still 42.2 cents below last year's levels.
