U.S. Class I railroads originated 26,988 grain carloads during the week ending July 18, unchanged from the previous week but 7% more than last year and 26% above the three-year average, the Agriculture Department’s Agricultural Marketing Service Grain Transportation Report.
Barged grain movements totaled 785,327 tons for the week ending July 25, up 14% from the previous week but 7% less than the same week last year. Some 548 barges moved down river, 95 more than the previous week, while 604 grain barges were unloaded in the New Orleans region, 14% more than the week before.
Average non-shuttle secondary railcar bids reached $128 above tariff for the week ending July 23, up $26 from the previous week and $128 more than this week last year. Average August shuttle secondary railcar bids were $0 per car, up $38 from last week and $34 from last year.
Ocean shipping showed mixed results. Twenty-five oceangoing grain vessels were loaded in the Gulf for the week ending July 23, 4% fewer than the same period last year. However, 41 vessels were expected to be loaded within 10 days starting July 24, 11% more than last year.
Shipping rates from the U.S. Gulf to Japan held at $69.75 per metric ton, while the rate from the Pacific Northwest to Japan fell 1% to $36.25 per metric ton.
Diesel fuel prices rose sharply. The U.S. average diesel fuel price increased 17.9 cents from the previous week to $5.313 per gallon for the week ending July 27, standing $1.508 above the same week last year.
Export sales showed strength in corn and soybeans. Net corn export sales for marketing year 2025/26 were 0.36 million metric tons, up 9% from last week. Net soybean export sales were 0.30 million metric tons, up significantly from the previous week. Net wheat export sales for marketing year 2026/27 were 0.29 million metric tons, down 2% from last week.
