The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Grain Transportation Report had U.S. Class I railroads originated 32,255 grain carloads during the week ending Jan. 10, marking a 22% increase from the previous week, 26% more than last year, and 31% above the three-year average.
Shuttle secondary railcar bids averaged $325 above tariff for the week ending Jan. 15, up $21 from the prior week and $338 higher than the same week last year. Non-shuttle secondary railcar bids were $25 above tariff, down $13 from last week and $225 below last year’s level.
Barge grain movements for the week ending Jan. 17 totaled 446,867 tons, a 15% decrease from the previous week but 4% higher than the same week last year. The number of barges moving downriver dropped by 15 to 314, while grain barge unloads in the New Orleans region fell 19% to 985.
Ocean shipments showed strength, with 36 oceangoing grain vessels loaded in the Gulf for the week ending Jan. 15, a 20% increase from last year. An additional 57 vessels were expected to load over the following 10 days, 27% more than the same period last year.
Shipping rates from the U.S. Gulf to Japan rose 1% to $49.25 per metric ton, while rates from the Pacific Northwest to Japan remained steady at $27.50 per metric ton.
Export sales data for the week ending Jan. 15 were not released due to the federal holiday on Jan. 19.
