The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service has released its Grain Transportation Report for February 6, 2025, revealing varied trends across different transportation sectors. The report highlights significant movements in export sales, rail transportation, barge shipments, ocean vessel loading, and fuel prices.
Export sales for the 2024/25 marketing year showed a mixed picture. Unshipped balances of corn, soybeans, and wheat totaled 36.84 million metric tons (mmt), down 1% from the previous week but up 7% year-over-year. Notably, wheat export sales surged 177% from the previous week, reaching 0.46 mmt, while corn and soybean sales declined.
Rail transportation experienced a downturn, with U.S. Class I railroads originating 22,150 grain carloads during the week ending January 25, marking a 9% decrease from the previous week and 12% fewer than last year. Secondary railcar bids also showed volatility, with February shuttle bids averaging $3 below tariff, significantly lower than both the previous week and last year.
Barge movements totaled 616,500 tons for the week ending February 1, down 6% from the previous week but up 3% year-over-year. The New Orleans region saw a substantial increase in grain barge unloading, up 107% from the previous week.
Ocean transportation showed positive signs, with 29 oceangoing grain vessels loaded in the Gulf for the week ending January 30, 12% more than the same period last year. However, projections for the next 10 days indicate a 7% decrease in expected loadings compared to last year.
Shipping rates from the U.S. Gulf to Japan decreased slightly to $44.75 per metric ton, while rates from the Pacific Northwest to Japan fell to $25.75 per metric ton.
Fuel prices remained relatively stable, with the U.S. average diesel price increasing by just 0.1 cents to $3.66 per gallon, 23.9 cents below the same week last year.
