LUBBOCK, Texas (RFD NEWS) — The Panama Canal is moving more ships and cargo in fiscal 2026 while keeping traffic flowing.
Officials said 6,288 vessels crossed the canal from October through March, up 224 from a year earlier. Volume reached 254 million tons (PC/UMS), about 5 percent above the same period last fiscal year.
Reservations remain strong, but the system is still working without a queue. Most ships book in advance, which protects scheduled transit slots and gives shippers greater certainty in a busy market.
Container traffic and liquefied petroleum gas were key drivers in recent months. Daily averages reached 34 vessels in January and 37 in March, with some days topping 40 transits.
Water levels are favorable, and conservation steps are in place ahead of possible El Niño risk later this year. Full lakes should help the canal maintain reliable service through the next dry season.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Steady Panama Canal operations help support more predictable shipping conditions for global agriculture.
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.
September 30, 2025 04:12 PM
·
Malone, Senior Director of Trade Execution at Bunge, emphasized the importance of spaces where women can engage in meaningful conversations about global trade, supply chains, and leadership opportunities.
September 30, 2025 03:16 PM
·
The total value of the U.S. potato crop was $4.60 billion in 2024, representing an 8% decrease from the previous year.
September 29, 2025 06:00 PM
·
We caught up with Karen Braun, Chief Market Analyst at Zaner Ag Hedge, at the Women in Agribusiness to discuss the data behind commodity trading.
September 29, 2025 03:30 PM
·
A booming butterfat market is good for some dairy products but threatens efficiency and margins for cheesemakers unless protein levels catch up
September 29, 2025 12:53 PM
·
Strong corn exports are anchoring U.S. trade, while soybean sales remain steady, but shipments lag.
September 26, 2025 04:48 PM
·
