U.S. grain transportation showed mixed performance across different modes during the week ending March 14, according to the latest Agricultural Marketing Service weekly Grain Transportation Report.
Class I railroads originated 30,377 grain carloads during the week ending March 7, marking a 5% decrease from the previous week but representing a strong 17% increase compared to last year and 27% above the three-year average. Rail transportation costs showed some relief, with average March shuttle secondary railcar bids at $400 above tariff, down $75 from the previous week and $168 lower than the same period last year.
Barge transportation faced headwinds, with grain movements totaling 478,408 tons for the week ending March 14. This represented a 22% decline from the previous week, though still 35% higher than the same week last year. The number of barges moving downriver dropped to 311, down 79 from the previous week. However, the New Orleans region saw increased activity with 795 grain barges unloaded, up 5% from the previous week.
Ocean shipping remained robust, with 32 grain vessels loaded in the Gulf during the week ending March 12, representing a 19% increase over last year. Looking ahead, 58 vessels are expected to load within the next 10 days, 21% more than the same period last year.
Fuel costs presented challenges across all transportation modes. U.S. average diesel prices jumped 21.2 cents to $5.071 per gallon, sitting 152.2 cents above last year’s levels.
Export sales showed declining momentum, with net corn sales down 22%, soybeans down 35%, and wheat down 58% from the previous week.
