U.S. grain transportation showed mixed activity in late November and early December, with rail and barge movements declining but export sales surging, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Transportation Report for the week ending November 29.
Class I railroads originated 25,680 grain carloads during the week, marking a 17% drop from the previous week but a 17% increase over last year and 4% above the three-year average. Railcar bid prices softened slightly, with December shuttle secondary railcar bids averaging $442 above tariff, down $120 from the prior week but still $420 higher than last year.
Barge grain movements totaled 548,900 tons for the week ending December 6, down 9% from the previous week and 25% below the same period last year. The number of grain barges moving downriver fell by 31 to 339, while grain barge unloads in the New Orleans region dropped 8% to 886.
Ocean grain shipments also slowed, with 30 oceangoing vessels loaded in the Gulf during the week ending December 4, 9% fewer than last year. Shipments scheduled in the following 10 days were expected to be 13% lower year-over-year. Shipping rates to Japan remained steady at $57 per metric ton from the Gulf and $29.75 from the Pacific Northwest.
Despite transportation slowdowns, export sales for marketing year 2025/26 showed strength. Unshipped balances of corn, soybeans, and wheat totaled 38.85 million metric tons, down 1% from the previous week and 5% from last year. Net corn export sales jumped 143% to 2.38 million metric tons, soybeans rose 36% to 0.70 million metric tons, and wheat increased 84% to 0.85 million metric tons.
Diesel fuel prices eased slightly, with the U.S. average falling 9.3 cents to $3.665 per gallon, though still 20.7 cents higher than a year ago.
