U.S. grain rail shipments increased while barge movements declined significantly last week, according to the USDA's Grain Transportation Report released August 28.
Class I railroads originated 25,476 grain carloads during the week ending August 16, a 6 percent increase from the previous week and 13 percent above the three-year average.
Meanwhile, barged grain movements totaled 485,078 tons for the week ending August 23, down 27 percent from the previous week and 16 percent below the same period last year. Grain barges moving downriver numbered 309, representing a significant decrease of 133 barges from the previous week.
In the export market, 25 oceangoing grain vessels were loaded in the Gulf during the week ending August 21, marking a 25 percent increase from the same period last year. Looking ahead, 49 vessels are expected to be loaded within the next 10 days, 11 percent more than last year.
Shipping rates from the U.S. Gulf to Japan remained unchanged at $53.25 per metric ton, while the Pacific Northwest to Japan rate decreased slightly to $28.50 per metric ton.
The U.S. average diesel fuel price dipped 0.5 cents to $3.708 per gallon, though still 5.7 cents above last year's price.
