NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Grain transportation stayed active in mid-April, but the pace varied by mode.
U.S. Class I railroads originated 28,523 grain carloads for the week ending April 11. That was down 7 percent from the previous week, but still 1 percent above last year and 15 percent above the 3-year average.
Barge grain movements were much stronger. For the week ending April 18, total barged grain reached 719,627 tons. That was 43 percent above the previous week and 53 percent above the same week last year. A total of 475 barges moved downriver, up 173 from the prior week.
Ocean movement showed a mixed picture. Twenty-seven grain vessels loaded in the Gulf during the week ending April 16, down 21 percent from a year ago. But 40 vessels were expected over the next 10 days, up 21 percent from the same period last year.
Freight rates also moved higher. Shipping grain from the Gulf to Japan rose to $67.25 per metric ton, while the Pacific Northwest route to Japan rose to $35.50 per ton.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Grain movement stayed active, with barges showing the strongest weekly gain while rail and ocean signals remained mixed.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Higher domestic rail tariffs and mixed capacity shifts will influence grain movement this harvest. Strong corn exports provide momentum, but logistics costs remain a critical factor.
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