U.S. grain transportation showed mixed results across different modes during early May, with rail and ocean shipping posting gains while barge traffic declined, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service’s weekly Grain Transportation Report released Thursday.
U.S. Class I railroads originated 30,610 grain carloads during the week ending May 2, marking a 3% increase from the previous week and a significant 17% jump compared to the same period last year. The figure also exceeded the three-year average by 21%, indicating robust rail demand for grain transportation.
Rail pricing reflected this strong demand, with average May shuttle secondary railcar bids reaching $596 above tariff for the week ending May 7. This represented a $142 weekly increase and a substantial $705 rise from the same week in 2025. Non-shuttle railcar bids averaged $50 above tariff, up $19 from the previous week but down $225 year-over-year.
Barge transportation presented a contrasting picture. Grain movements totaled 635,575 tons for the week ending May 9, declining 10% from the previous week and 14% from the same period last year. River traffic showed 418 barges moving downstream, 53 fewer than the prior week. The New Orleans region unloaded 504 grain barges, representing a 16% weekly decrease.
Ocean shipping demonstrated strength with 29 grain vessels loaded in the Gulf during the week ending May 7, up 32% year-over-year. Looking ahead, 48 vessels were expected to load within 10 days starting May 8, marking a 50% increase from 2025.
Shipping rates to Japan rose modestly, with Gulf routes at $68.00 per metric ton and Pacific Northwest routes at $36.25 per metric ton, both up 1% weekly.
