Grain transportation across U.S. rail, barge, and ocean routes showed modest fluctuations during the week ending May 23, 2026, according to the latest Grain Transportation Report released May 21 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. While rail carloads dipped slightly, barge and ocean shipments remained relatively steady, supported by stable freight rates and ongoing demand.
Rail traffic trends
U.S. Class I railroads originated 29,073 grain carloads for the week ending May 16, a 1% decrease from the previous week but 15% higher than last year and 23% above the three-year average. Average June shuttle secondary railcar bids and offers were $313 above tariff for the week ending May 21, down $388 from the prior week but $422 higher than the same week last year. Non-shuttle secondary railcar bids averaged $38 above tariff, a $6 decline from the previous week but $38 higher year-over-year.
Barge shipments
For the week ending May 23, barged grain movements totaled 711,203 tons, down 2% from the prior week and 3% below last year’s volume. A total of 455 barges moved downriver, three fewer than the previous week. Grain barge unloads in the New Orleans region dropped 21% to 566 barges.
Ocean vessel activity and freight rates
Twenty-five oceangoing grain vessels were loaded in the Gulf during the week ending May 21, a 14% increase over last year. Thirty-eight vessels were expected to load in the following 10 days, unchanged from the prior year. Freight rates from the U.S. Gulf to Japan fell 1% to $71.00 per metric ton, while rates from the Pacific Northwest to Japan held steady at $37.25 per metric ton.
Fuel prices and export sales
The U.S. average diesel price decreased 7.3 cents to $5.523 per gallon for the week ending May 25, remaining 203.6 cents above last year’s level. Export sales data were unavailable due to the May 25 federal holiday; the next report is scheduled for May 29.
