The U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest Grain Transportation Report highlights significant shifts in export sales and transportation metrics for the week ending January 16, 2025. Key findings include:
Export Sales:
- Total unshipped balances of corn, soybeans, and wheat reached 37.23 million metric tons (mmt), up 7% year-over-year.
- Corn export sales jumped 62% week-over-week to 1.66 mmt.
- Soybean sales surged 199% to 1.49 mmt.
- Wheat sales declined 68% to 0.17 mmt.
Rail Transportation:
- Grain carloads decreased 5% week-over-week but remained 28% above last year.
- February shuttle secondary railcar bids rose to $166 above tariff, $59 higher than last week but $347 lower than last year.
Barge Movements:
- Barged grain movements totaled 652,550 tons, up 52% week-over-week and 91% year-over-year.
- 421 grain barges moved downriver, a significant increase from the previous week.
Ocean Freight:
- 23 oceangoing grain vessels were loaded in the Gulf, 15% fewer than last year.
- Shipping rates from the U.S. Gulf to Japan decreased slightly to $45.25 per metric ton.
Fuel Prices:
- U.S. average diesel price dropped to $3.659 per gallon, 20.8 cents below last year.
