U.S. grain shipments showed strong momentum during the week ending September 5, with Class I railroads originating 27,445 grain carloads representing a 24% increase from the same week last year and 31% above the three-year average. Barge traffic surged 73% year-over-year to 435,800 tons, while export commitments remained robust at 37.97 million metric tons of unshipped grain balances.
- U.S. Class I railroads originated 27,445 grain carloads for the week ending September 5, up 24% year-over-year and 31% above the three-year average
- Barge traffic on inland waterways totaled 435,800 tons, jumping 21% from the previous week and 73% from the same week in 2025
- Export commitments reached 37.97 million metric tons of unshipped balances as of September 10, up 5% from last year
- Ocean shipping activity declined with only 22 oceangoing vessels loaded in the Gulf during the week ending September 10, down 27% year-over-year
- Shipping rates to Japan increased modestly to $76.75 per metric ton from the U.S. Gulf, up 1% from the previous week
U.S. Class I railroads originated 27,445 grain carloads during the week ending September 5, marking a 4% increase from the previous week according to the Agricultural Marketing Service’s weekly Grain Transportation Report. The figure represents a 24% jump from the same week last year and sits 31% above the three-year average.
Rail market rates reflected mixed conditions. Average September shuttle secondary railcar bids came in at $592 above tariff for the week ending September 10, down $150 from the prior week but still $563 higher than this time last year. Non-shuttle secondary railcar bids averaged $100 above tariff, climbing $81 from the previous week and $25 from last year.
Barge traffic on inland waterways surged during the week ending September 12, with grain movements totaling 435,800 tons. The volume jumped 21% from the previous week and 73% from the same week in 2025. River traffic showed 315 barges moving downstream, an increase of 50 from the prior week. The New Orleans region unloaded 726 grain barges, up 2% from the previous week.
Ocean shipping activity told a different story. Only 22 oceangoing grain vessels loaded in the Gulf during the week ending September 10, down 27% from the same period last year. Projections for the next 10 days starting September 11 showed 49 vessels expected to load, 11% fewer than last year.
Shipping rates to Japan ticked up modestly. The cost to transport a metric ton of grain from the U.S. Gulf to Japan reached $76.75, up 1% from the previous week. Pacific Northwest to Japan rates climbed 1% to $37.75 per metric ton.
Export commitments remained strong. Unshipped balances of corn, soybeans and wheat for marketing year 2026/27 totaled 37.97 million metric tons as of September 10, up 5% from the same time last year. Net soybean export sales for the new marketing year, which began September 1, led at 1.70 million metric tons, followed by corn at 1.03 million metric tons and wheat at 0.33 million metric tons.
