The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service Grain Transportation Report for February 19 showed that U.S. Class I railroads originated 27,108 grain carloads for the week ending Feb. 7, a 2-percent decrease from the previous week, though volumes remain 6 percent above both last year and the 3-year average.
Secondary railcar markets softened considerably. Average February shuttle secondary bids came in at $163 above tariff — $102 less than the prior week and $863 below the same week last year. Non-shuttle bids averaged $25 above tariff, down $13 from the previous week.
Barge movements told a different story. Barged grain totaled 473,508 tons for the week ending Feb. 14 — 78 percent more than the previous week, though still 29 percent below the same week last year. A total of 298 barges moved downriver, 139 more than the week prior.
In the Gulf, 31 oceangoing grain vessels were loaded for the week ending Feb. 12, up 11 percent from last year. Ocean freight rates from the Gulf to Japan held at $54.25 per metric ton.
Diesel fuel averaged $3.711 per gallon nationally for the week ending Feb. 16, up 2.3 cents from the previous week.
Export sales figures were not available due to the Feb. 16 federal holiday and will be released Feb. 20.
