The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Grain Transportation Report for February 27, 2025, highlights significant shifts in grain export sales and transportation metrics. For the week ending February 13, unshipped balances of corn, soybeans, and wheat for marketing year 2024/25 totaled 35.59 million metric tons, up 14% from last year.
Corn export sales fell 12% to 1.45 million metric tons, while soybean sales soared 159% to 0.48 million metric tons. Wheat sales decreased by 7% to 0.53 million metric tons.
Rail transportation saw a 9% decline in grain carloads, with 23,137 originated for the week ending February 15. Barge movements dropped 39% to 409,850 tons, although New Orleans region barge unloads increased by 6%.
Ocean freight trends showed a 13% decrease in Gulf vessel loadings, but a 13% rise in expected loadings over the next 10 days. Shipping rates to Japan remained stable from the Gulf and rose slightly from the Pacific Northwest.
Fuel prices increased by 2.0 cents, with diesel averaging $3.697 per gallon, still lower than last year.
