U.S. Class I railroads originated 30,712 grain carloads during the week ending December 6, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Transportation Report. This marks a 20% increase from the previous week, 7 percent more than last year, and 9% above the three-year average. Despite the surge in shipments, average secondary railcar bids and offers showed mixed trends. Shuttle railcar bids averaged $379 above tariff, down $63 from the prior week but $539 higher than the same week last year. Non-shuttle railcar bids averaged $25 below tariff, decreasing $188 from last week and $50 below last year’s level.
Barge grain movements also increased, with 887,800 tons moved during the week ending December 13, 62% more than the previous week but 2% lower than last year. The number of barges moving downriver rose to 561, up 222 from the prior week, while grain barge unloads in the New Orleans region fell 24% to 674.
Ocean grain shipments from the U.S. Gulf declined, with 27 oceangoing vessels loaded during the week ending December 11, 23% fewer than last year. Forty-three vessels were expected to load in the following 10 days, down 17% year-over-year. Shipping rates to Japan from the Gulf and Pacific Northwest decreased slightly.
Export sales for the marketing year 2025/26 showed mixed results. Unshipped balances of corn, soybeans, and wheat totaled 40.93 million metric tons, up 1% from the previous week but down 3 percent from last year. Net corn sales fell 3% to 1.79 million metric tons, soybean sales dropped 52% to 1.11 million metric tons, while wheat sales rose 27% to 0.46 million metric tons.
Diesel fuel prices averaged $3.607 per gallon for the week ending December 15, down 5.8 cents from the prior week but 11.3 cents higher than last year.
