U.S. Class I railroads originated 27,733 grain carloads during the week ending January 31, unchanged from the previous week but 9 percent higher than last year and 6 percent above the 3-year average according to the latest USDA Grain Transportation Report. Secondary railcar bids showed mixed results, with shuttle bids averaging $265 above tariff, down $285 from last week and $77 lower than last year.
Barge movements totaled 265,900 tons for the week ending February 7, increasing 40 percent from the previous week but remaining 57 percent below the same week last year. The New Orleans Region saw 789 grain barges unloaded, 13 percent fewer than the previous week.
Ocean shipping showed improvement with 39 oceangoing grain vessels loaded in the Gulf, 18 percent more than the same period last year. Shipping rates increased slightly, with the U.S. Gulf to Japan rate at $53.75 per metric ton, up 4 percent from the previous week.
Diesel fuel prices increased marginally to $3.688 per gallon, 2.3 cents above the same week last year.
Export sales data revealed mixed performance, with corn export sales for marketing year 2025/26 at 2.07 million metric tons, up 199 percent from the previous week. Wheat exports rose 31 percent while soybean exports declined 36 percent from the previous week.
