Barge grain movements along the Mississippi River System (MRS) in 2025 faced multiple challenges, according to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service weekly Grain Transportation Report. including high and low water levels, ice accumulation and lock closures, yet total volumes rose 11 percent from 2024, reaching the highest level since 2022.
The year began with winter storms and freezing temperatures causing delays in January and February, pushing first-quarter spot rates at St. Louis to $16.92 per ton — up 37 percent from the same period in 2024. Despite these disruptions, first-quarter grain volumes increased 5 percent year-over-year to 7.5 million tons.
Spring brought unanticipated repairs and flooding on the Ohio and lower Mississippi Rivers, delaying reopening of key locks near St. Louis. Once reopened, barge traffic improved, and second-quarter grain volumes climbed 19 percent from the previous quarter to 8.9 million tons, driven by strong corn exports and competitive U.S. corn pricing. Spot rates averaged $13.90 per ton, 56 percent higher than second quarter 2024.
A dry August led to critically low water levels in September, forcing draft and tow-size restrictions. Barge volumes fell 68 percent mid-September, but third-quarter volumes still rose 12 percent from 2024 to 7.3 million tons, buoyed by a 30 percent increase in soybean shipments. St. Louis spot rates averaged $19.21 per ton, slightly above 2024.
In the fourth quarter, low water and ice accumulation again restricted barge loads. Volumes totaled 9.1 million tons, up 25 percent from the previous quarter but down 4 percent from 2024. Soybean shipments were notably lower, while wheat volumes on the Columbia-Snake River System surged 37 percent. St. Louis spot rates held steady at $19.26 per ton but were down 11 percent from 2024.
Recent weeks saw sharp rate increases amid ice accumulation, with St. Louis spot rates reaching $24.90 per ton in mid-February — 33 percent above last year and 63 percent above the five-year average. Grain volumes remain below last year’s levels but are expected to rise as restrictions ease.
USDA projects strong corn and wheat exports for marketing year 2025/26, up 15 percent and 9 percent respectively, supporting continued demand for barge transportation.
