U.S. grain transportation showed significant year-over-year growth across multiple modes despite some week-to-week fluctuations, according to the latest Grain Transportation Report released by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.
Class I railroads originated 26,594 grain carloads for the week ending August 2, down 2 percent from the previous week but 33 percent higher than the same period last year and 29 percent above the three-year average. The report also noted declining costs in the secondary railcar market, with August shuttle bids averaging $133 below tariff, representing an $87 decrease from last week and $315 lower than last year.
Barge transportation similarly showed strong performance with 852,550 tons of grain moved during the week ending August 9, increasing 10 percent from the previous week and 8 percent year-over-year. The report counted 550 grain barges moving downriver, 26 more than the previous week, though unloadings in the New Orleans region decreased by 27 percent.
Ocean shipping activity intensified significantly, with 29 oceangoing grain vessels loaded in the Gulf during the week ending August 7—45 percent more than the same period last year. Shipping rates from the U.S. Gulf to Japan decreased slightly to $54 per metric ton, while Pacific Northwest-to-Japan rates held steady at $28.75.
The report also highlighted a decrease in diesel fuel prices, which fell 4.6 cents to $3.754 per gallon, though still 5 cents higher than last year.
Export sales data showed mixed results with unshipped balances of corn and soybeans totaling 11.34 million metric tons, down 10 percent weekly but up 25 percent year-over-year. Wheat export sales for marketing year 2025/26 increased 25 percent from the previous week to 0.74 million metric tons.
