April 4, 2024

A weekly publication of the Agricultural Marketing Service

www.ams.usda.gov/GTR

Grain 

Transportation 

Report

Contents

Weekly Highlights...................................2

Snapshots by Sector.................................3

Feature Article.......................................... 4

Grain Transportation Indicators ........7

Rail Transportation................................. 9

Barge Transportation.............................17

Truck Transportation........................... 20

Grain Exports ..........................................21

Ocean Transportation.......................... 25

Contacts and Links............................... 28
GTR 04-04-24

Page 2

Lower Grain Acreage in South

May Signal Different Grain 

Transportation Pattern in MY 2024/25.

Released last Thursday, USDA’s National 

Agricultural Statistics Service’s 2024 annual 

Prospective Plantings report is based on a 

national survey of farmers about their intended 

plantings. While too early to forecast yield (and 

hence volumes), the report provides an early 

glimpse of potential grain supplies for marketing 

year 2024/25. Additionally, State-level estimates 

provide clues about future transportation 

demand, because grain moves from areas of high 

supplies to areas of low supplies. 

Across the Nation, farmers intend to plant 177 

million acres of corn and soybeans this spring. 

If realized, acreage will be down 1 percent from 

last year and 1 percent from the 3-year average. 

Acreage reductions are sharper in several key 

livestock and poultry-producing Southern States 

(i.e., Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, 

and Texas).

Collectively, these States will plant 9.7 million 

acres of corn and soybeans—down 7 percent 

from last year and 4 percent from the 3-year 

average. If this reduced acreage translates 

to lower local supplies (subject to existing 

stocks), livestock producers in these States may 

place increased demand on domestic grain 

transportation to import more feed grain from 

other regions.

Norfolk Southern Lengthens Grain 

Trains. In a recent article on Norfolk 

Southern Railway’s (NS) website, the firm 

described changes to its service offerings for 

grain customers. Most notably, in 2023, NS 

lengthened its grain unit trains from 85 cars to 

105 cars each. Because the longer trains can move 

23 percent more grain with each load, NS can run 

fewer trains, thereby freeing up network capacity. 

The 105-car unit train is still shorter than most 

Western U.S. grain unit trains, which typically 

have 110 cars (and sometimes even more). Last 

year, CPKC operated a 142-car grain train—the 

longest grain train ever loaded and unloaded in 

the United States (Grain Transportation Report,

December 7, 2023, second highlight).

Along with an Eastern Class I competitor—CSX 

Transportation—NS is essential for connecting 

surplus feed grain in the eastern Corn Belt 

(e.g., Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois) to feed graindeficit areas in the Southeast (i.e., areas with 

large poultry and livestock populations). These 

railroads also supply East Coast flour mills with 

wheat grown in the Great Plains. 

FRA Issues New Regulation on Crew 

Size for Freight Trains. As freight train 

lengths continue to increase, the Department of 

Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration 

(FRA) announced a final rule on train crew size 

safety requirements on April 2. In general, Class I 

freight railroads will now be mandated to operate 

trains with at least two crewmembers—typically 

an engineer and a conductor.

The final rule includes exceptions allowing 

for one-person train crews on short line 

railroads when there are no “significant safety 

risks to railroad employees, the public, or the 

environment.” Still, the rule requires short line 

railroads currently operating one-person crews 

to implement certain safety features/procedures, 

and any railroad seeking to initiate one-person 

train crew operations will need to obtain 

approval from FRA. 

The FRA rule comes after a series of state 

legislative efforts to institute 2-person freight 

crews. At least 11 states have passed such laws—

including several key grain-producing states 

(i.e., Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio, Washington and 

Wisconsin). 

Two Temporary Channels Open to 

Port of Baltimore. On March 30, crews 

began removing the wreckage from the Francis 

Scott Key Bridge collapse. Crews then worked 

to establish two temporary alternate routes for 

“commercially essential vessels.” A route on 

the northeast side of the main channel has a 

controlling depth of 11 feet, a 264-foot horizontal 

clearance, and vertical clearance 96 feet. Its first 

vessel, a fuel barge, transited the temporary 

alternate channel to Dover Air Force Base on 

April 1. A second route, opened April 2, has a 

controlling depth of 14 feet, a 280-foot horizontal 

clearance, and a vertical clearance of 124 feet. 

(Baltimore’s blocked main channel has a depth of 

50 feet.)

The Port of Baltimore was the fifth-largest 

port for containerized soybean exports in 2023 

(Grain Transportation Report, March 28, 2024, 

first highlight). That year, the Port of Baltimore 

exported 325,000 metric tons of containerized 

soybeans—up considerably from the 2018 total 

of only 28,000 metric tons. Over the past 4 years, 

the Port of Baltimore has exported 7 percent of 

its annual containerized soybeans in April.

For the latest updates, see the Key Bridge 

Response team’s homepage. 

Weekly Highlights
GTR 04-04-24

Page 3

Export Sales

For the week ending March 21, unshipped

balances of wheat, corn, and soybeans for 

marketing year (MY) 2023/24 totaled 26.38 

million metric tons (mmt), down 2 percent 

from last week and up 7 percent from the same 

time last year. 

Net corn export sales for MY 2023/24 were 1.21 

mmt, up 2 percent from last week. Net soybean

export sales were 0.26 mmt, down 47 percent 

from last week. Net weekly wheat export sales

were 0.34 mmt, up significantly from last week.

Rail

U.S. Class I railroads originated 25,182 grain

carloads during the week ending March 23. 

This was a 2-percent increase from the previous 

week, 12 percent more than last year, and 3 

percent fewer than the 3-year average.

Average April shuttle secondary railcar bids/

offers (per car) were $338 above tariff for the 

week ending March 28. This was $294 less than 

last week and $545 more than this week last 

year. Average non-shuttle secondary railcar 

bids/offers per car were $563 above tariff. This 

was $31 less than last week, and $375 more than 

this week last year. 

Barge

For the week ending March 30, barged grain

movements totaled 658,750 tons. This was 

22 percent less than the previous week and 8 

percent less than the same period last year.

For the week ending March 30, 447 grain 

barges moved down river—117 fewer than last 

week. There were 607 grain barges unloaded in 

the New Orleans region, 6 percent fewer than 

last week.

Ocean

For the week ending March 28, 17 oceangoing

grain vessels were loaded in the Gulf—43 

percent fewer than the same period last year. 

Within the next 10 days (starting March 29), 29 

vessels were expected to be loaded—7 percent 

more than the same period last year.

As of March 29, the rate for shipping a metric 

ton (mt) of grain from the U.S. Gulf to Japan 

was $62.25. This was 1 percent less than the 

previous week. The rate from the Pacific 

Northwest to Japan was $33.00 per mt, 2 

percent less than the previous week.

Fuel

For the week ending April 1, the U.S. average 

diesel price decreased 3.8 cents from the 

previous week to $3.996 per gallon, 10.9 cents 

below the same week last year.

Snapshots by Sector
GTR 04-04-24

Page 4

Grain Transportation Update: Mixed Prognosis at the Start of 2024

U.S. grain transportation has experienced 

mixed news lately, with some notable 

improvements, but also lingering concerns. 

On the positive side, barges on the lower 

Mississippi River System (MRS) face no draft 

restrictions for the first time since September 

2022. Still, ocean and, to some degree, rail 

transportation face ongoing challenges. Grainexport-bearing ocean vessels from the U.S. 

Gulf to Asia continue to adopt much longerthan-usual routes. These diversions to avoid 

low water in the Panama Canal and conflict in 

the Red Sea have pushed freight rates above 

average for this time of year. Also, in recent 

weeks, secondary rail values—at their highest 

levels since fall 2022—could signal rising 

demand, service degradation along key grain 

rail corridors, or both.

According to USDA’s latest Grain Stocks report, 

total disappearance—the difference in corn, 

soybeans, and wheat stocks from December 1, 

2023, to March 1, 2024—was 5.3 billion bushels 

(bbu). This total was up 4 percent from the 

previous year, but down 2 percent from the 

3-year average. Disappearance is a proxy for 

transportation demand because most grain that 

leaves storage enters the transportation system.

Rail Grain Carloads Continue 

Trending Low Amid High 

Secondary Rail Costs

So far in 2024 (through the week ending 

March 16), rail grain carloads have been down 

9 percent from the prior 3-year average, 

continuing a trend of below-average weekly 

carloads that began in February of last year 

(GTR fig. 3, in part). Grain carloads originated 

by Class I railroads in the United States 

were flat from late January to late February 

(averaging 25,540 cars per week), before falling 

in March (averaging 23,860 per week). 

In the secondary rail market, where shippers 

buy and sell guaranteed freight, car values tend 

to rise during periods of poor rail service (e.g., 

2014 and 2022) and in times of high demand. 

Secondary shuttle values have been positive 

since October 26, 2023, and they have risen for 

most of 2024. For the week ending March 7, 

bids (per car) averaged $1,577 above tariff—the 

highest near-month value since September 

2022. Non-shuttle secondary values are also 

elevated—reaching $900 per car for the week 

ending March 14 (highest value since January 

2022). Secondary rail values may have peaked, 

and this week’s values are down from recent 

highs (GTR fig. 5). Despite higher secondary 

rail values, most rail rates (tariffs plus fuel 

charges) are below this time last year (GTR

table 7 and GTR fig. 8).

Rail service metrics for Class I railroads sent 

mixed signals (GTR table 4a and 4b). On one 

hand, unfilled grain car orders (for manifest 

service) have risen in 2024—reaching nearly 

10,000 for the week ending March 15. (BNSF 

Railway has three-quarters of the unfilled grain 

car orders.) On the other hand, average origin 

dwell time for grain trains (though rising 

in recent weeks) is around 28 hours—lower 

than the 3-year average. Higher secondary rail 

values likely reflect local service issues and 

weather challenges. In early January, railroads 

faced severe winter weather in some parts of 

the country (GTR, January 18, 2024, second

highlight), and in recent weeks, the Texas 

Panhandle has contended with its largest 

wildfire on record (GTR, March 7, 2024, first

highlight).

Below-Average Spot Rates, but 

Barged Grain Volumes Are Slow 

To Rise Amid Lower Demand

Demand for barged grain movements along the 

MRS began falling in 2023 and has continued 

falling in 2024, with persistently weak export 

demand for grain. This trend may continue 

until farmers are forced to sell more grain 

(before the next harvest). On February 24, 

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi 

Valley Division, announced the end of all

draft restrictions on the lower portion of the 

MRS, which had begun in September 2022 in 

response to drought. 

Since January 1, weekly barged grain 

movements have been near average, except for 

2 weeks in January when cold weather and ice 

slowed barged grain movements. Year to date 

(YTD), 7.1 million tons of grain have moved 

through the locks—1 percent less than last year 

and 6 percent less than average (GTR table 10). 

So far this year, the largest weekly amount of 

Feature Article
GTR 04-04-24

Page 5

Feature Article

grain moving through the locks was 844,002 

tons, for the week ending March 23. This 

weekly total was also the largest since 2022.

So far in 2024, weekly spot rates have 

continued below 2023 rates and below the 

prior-5-year average. At St. Louis, MO, from 

the week ending January 2 to the week ending 

March 26, weekly rates dropped 19 percent—

from $12.77 per ton to $10.33 (GTR table 9). 

(From 2019 to 2023, the average rate increase 

over the first quarter was 3 percent.) At St. 

Louis, MO, the YTD weekly average spot rate 

of $12.36 per ton is 30 percent lower than the 

same period last year and 22 percent lower than 

the 5-year average. The opening of the upper 

portion of the MRS on March 17 may tighten 

barge supplies, as barge operators disperse their 

barges throughout the MRS. Tight supplies 

have the potential to increase spot rates.

Dry-Bulk Ocean Freight Rates Inch 

Up After Lunar New Year Holiday 

and Amid Logistical Challenges

After tapering from their previous highs on 

January 4, ocean freight rates for shipping grain 

edged up again after the week ending March 

7. On March 28, the rates to Japan were $62.25 

per metric ton (mt) through the U.S. Gulf (up 

20 percent from the same period last year) and 

$33.00 per mt through the Pacific Northwest 

(PNW) (up 14 percent from last year) (GTR

fig. 18). The rise in ocean freight rates from 

last December to early January partly stemmed 

from China’s increased iron ore imports, 

before the country’s seasonal slump in trade 

for Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. 

After dipping slightly in mid-January, rates 

were unusually high in February as ton-mile 

demand rose because of vessels’ rerouting 

through the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the 

Red Sea conflict (GTR, January 18, 2024).

In January and February, China imported 209.5 

million metric tons (mmt) of iron ore, versus 

194 mmt during the same 2023 period—an 

8.1-percent increase. Similarly, China’s coal

imports were 74.5 mmt, up 23-percent from 

a year ago. Freight rates continued to rise 

in March as soybean export seasons began, 

especially in Brazil. The continued crisis in the 

Red Sea, adding to ton-mile demand, put more 

upward pressure on rates.

Year to date, as of March 28, an average of 28 

oceangoing grain vessels per week were loaded 

in the U.S. Gulf, unchanged from the same 

period in 2023. In PNW, for the same YTD 2024 

period, an average of 20 vessels per week were 

loaded or waiting to load, compared to 11 for 

the same 2023 period. However, during the last 

4 weeks, an average of 22 vessels per week have 

been loaded in the U.S. Gulf, and an average 

of 22 vessels per week have been loading or 

waiting to load in PNW (GTR fig. 17). 

Low-water challenges at the Panama Canal 

persist. However, as of March 8, the Panama 

Canal Authority has increased the daily 

transit slots to 27: 7 through the Neopanamax 

locks and 20 through the Panamax locks. The 

Panamax locks’ normal transit capacity is 

34-36 vessels per day and, in the Neopanamax 

locks, 9-11 vessels per day—depending on 

vessel mix, transit restrictions, and other 

factors. The maximum sustainable capacity of 

the Panama Canal (Panamax and Neopanamax 

locks) is about 38 vessels per day.

Diesel Prices Projected To Fall 

In Second Quarter

The U.S. average diesel price fluctuated for 

much of first quarter 2024 (GTR fig. 14). From 

the week ending January 1 to the week ending 

March 25, the diesel price dropped 15.8 cents 

per gallon. First-quarter 2024 U.S. diesel prices 

averaged $3.96 per gallon, which was 45 cents 

below first-quarter 2023’s average price. 

Looking ahead, the Energy Information 

Administration’s (EIA) March Short-Term

Energy Outlook expects oil markets to be 

much tighter in the second quarter. Global oil 

inventories are projected to fall by 0.9 million 

barrels per day, as a result of OPEC+ members’ 

extending production cuts through second 

quarter 2024. Likewise, additional voluntary 

production cuts from Russia are expected to 

contribute to the dip in global inventories. 

EIA projects the second-quarter average diesel 

price at $3.92 per gallon, down 5 cents from the 

previous quarter. U.S. diesel prices are projected 

to average $4.01 per gallon in 2024, down 20 

cents from 2023’s average price of $4.21 and up 

9 cents from EIA’s February forecast.

Grain Exports Increase 

In MY 2023/24

According to USDA’s March World Agricultural

Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), total 

U.S. disappearance (domestic use, plus exports) 

of the three major grains is expected to total 
GTR 04-04-24

Page 6

20.6 bbu in MY 2023/24, up 3 percent from 

MY 2022/23. From MY 2022/23 to MY 2023/24, 

exports for these grains are projected to rise 3 

percent, because of higher corn exports. Over 

the same period, domestic use is expected to 

rise 4 percent, mainly because of higher corn 

and soybean consumption (table 1).

From MY 2022/23 to MY 2023/24, U.S. corn 

exports are projected up 26 percent, to 53.3 

mmt. Soybean exports are projected down 

14 percent (to 46.8 mmt) and wheat exports, 

down 6 percent (to 19.3 mmt). In MY 2023/24, 

U.S. grain exporters have faced reduced grain 

purchases by China and rising domestic use 

of soybeans for renewable diesel—as well 

as strong competition from Brazil (for corn 

and soybeans); the European Union (EU) (for 

wheat); and Russia (for wheat). For details on 

factors driving U.S grain exports and its impact 

on grain transportation for MY 2023/24, see 

last week’s Grain Transportation Report. 

The increased corn exports and reduced 

soybean and wheat exports are reflected in the 

pace of shipments. As of March 21, marketingyear-to-date 2023/24 shipped export sales 

of corn were 32 percent ahead of the same 

period for MY 2022/23, mainly because of 

increased sales to Mexico, Japan, and Columbia 

(GTR table 13). The increased shipments to 

these countries are reflected in the increased 

marketing-year-to-date inspections through 

PNW (Asian shipments) and the Texas Gulf 

(Latin American shipments), which were up 25 

percent and up 41 percent, respectively, from 

the same time last year (GTR table 16). 

In contrast, as of March 21, shipped export 

sales of soybeans (GTR table 14) and wheat 

(GTR table 15) were down 19 percent and down 

8 percent, respectively, from the same period 

for MY 2022/23—mostly because of decreased 

shipments to China (soybeans) and to other 

Asian and Latin American countries (wheat). 

As a result, soybean inspections were down 24 

percent through the PNW ports and down 10 

percent through the Mississippi Gulf ports.

Future grain transportation demand is likely 

to rise with ample grain stocks. As of March 1, 

total U.S. grain stocks (i.e., corn, soybeans, and 

wheat) were 11.3 bbu—up 13 percent from the 

previous year and up 8 percent from the 3-year 

average.

GTRContactUs@usda.gov

Table 1. Use of major grains (million bushels)

Source: USDA, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, March 2024.

Corn Soybeans Wheat Total Y/Y

United States 

2023/24 

(projected)

Exports 2,100 1,720 710 4,530 2.7%

Domestic use 12,455 2,424 1,144 16,023 3.5%

Total use 14,555 4,144 1,854 20,553 3.3%

United States 

2022/23 

(estimated)

Exports 1,661 1,992 759 4,412 -18.6%

Domestic use 12,045 2,313 1,118 15,476 -2.4%

Total use 13,706 4,305 1,876 19,887 -6.5%

United States 

2021/22

Exports 2,472 2,152 796 5,420

Domestic use 12,427 2,311 1,117 15,855

Total use 14,900 4,463 1,913 21,276
GTR 04-04-24

Page 7

Table 1. Grain transport cost indicators

Figure 1. Grain transportation cost indicators as of week ending 4/3/24

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Grains are transported to the domestic and international 

markets via one or a combination of the following modes: 

truck, rail, barge and ocean-going vessel. Monitoring 

the cost of transportation for each mode is vital to the 

marketing decision making process.

Note: Indicator: Base year 2000 = 100. Weekly updates include truck = diesel ($/gallon); rail = nearmonth secondary rail market bid and monthly tariff rate with fuel surcharge ($/car); barge = Illinois 

River barge rate (index = percent of tariff rate); ocean = routes to Japan ($/metric ton); n/a = not 

available.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week 

ending: Truck

Rail

Barge

Ocean

Non-shuttle Shuttle Gulf Pacific

04/03/24 268 346 261 187 278 234

03/27/24 271 348 274 198 282 239

04/05/23 276 328 244 312 233 206

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

550

600

650

Index (base year 2000 = 100)

Truck Shuttle train Barge Gulf ocean vessel

Grain Transportation Indicators
GTR 04-04-24

Page 8

Commodity Origin–

destination 3/29/2024 3/22/2024

Corn IL–Gulf -0.76 -0.78 

Corn NE–Gulf -0.77 -0.81 

Soybean IA–Gulf -1.10 -1.10 

HRW KS–Gulf -2.04 -1.98 

HRS ND–Portland -1.96 -1.82 

Figure 2. Grain bid summary

The grain bid summary illustrates the market relationships for commodities. Positive and negative adjustments in differential between 

terminal and futures markets, and the relationship to inland market points, are indicators of changes in fundamental market supply and 

demand. The map may be used to monitor market and time differentials.

Table 2b. Futures

Inland bids: 12% HRW, 14% HRS, #1 SRW, #1 DUR, #1 SWW, #2 Y Corn, #1 Y Soybeans

Export bids: Ord HRW, 14% HRS, #2 SRW, #2 DUR, #2 SWW, #2 Y Corn, #1 Soybeans

Note: HRW = Hard red winter wheat, HRS = Hard red spring wheat, SRW = Soft red winter wheat, 

DUR = Durum, SWW = Soft white winter wheat, Y = Yellow, Ord = Ordinary. Data from tables 2a and 

2b derived from map information.

Sources: U.S. Inland: GeoGrain, USDA Weekly Bids, U.S. Export: Corn & Soybean - Export Grain Bids, 

AMS, USDA Wheat Bids - Weekly Wheat Report, U.S. Wheat Associates, Washington, DC.

Table 2a. Market update: U.S. origins to export position 

price spreads ($/bushel)

Note: nq = no quote; n/a = not available; HRW = hard red winter 

wheat; HRS = hard red spring wheat.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Sources: U.S. Inland: GeoGrain, USDA Weekly Bids, U.S. Export: Corn & Soybean 

- Export Grain Bids, AMS, USDA Wheat Bids - Weekly Wheat Report, U.S. Wheat 

Associates, Washington, DC.

Location Grain Month 3/29/2024 Week ago 

3/22/2024

Year ago 

3/31/2023

Kansas City Wheat May 5.672 5.984 8.882

Minneapolis Wheat May 6.450 6.610 9.056

Chicago Wheat May 5.500 5.620 7.026

Chicago Corn May 4.364 4.390 6.654

Chicago Soybean May 11.940 12.040 15.144

Grain Transportation Indicators
GTR 04-04-24

Page 9

For the 4 weeks ending March 23, 

grain carloads were down 1 percent 

from the previous week, up 10 percent 

from last year, and down 6 percent 

from the 3-year average.

For the week ending:

3/23/2024

East West Central U.S.

U.S. total

CSXT NS BNSF UP CPKC CN

This week 1,352 2,815 10,248 7,052 2,911 804 25,182 

This week last year 2,323 2,372 8,247 5,747 1,879 1,844 22,412 

2024 YTD 20,177 32,937 127,001 63,545 35,858 13,164 292,682 

2023 YTD 24,764 32,698 120,442 68,404 29,148 20,109 295,565 

2024 YTD as % of 2023 YTD 81 101 105 93 123 65 99

Last 4 weeks as % of 2023 78 102 129 96 152 60 110

Last 4 weeks as % of 3-yr. avg. 79 107 97 91 113 60 94

Total 2023 92,754 130,762 499,462 278,079 131,352 66,535 1,198,944 

Table 3. Class I rail carrier grain car bulletin (grain carloads originated)

Figure 3. Total weekly U.S. Class I railroad grain carloads

Note: The last 4-week percentages compare the last 4 weeks of this year to the closest 4 weeks of last year, and to the average across the prior 3 years. NS = Norfolk Southern; UP = Union Pacific; 

CN = Canadian National; CPKC = Canadian Pacific Kansas City; YTD = year-to-date; avg. = average; yr. = year. CPKC and CN report carloads for their U.S.-operations only, so the U.S. total reflects 

originated carloads for all six Class I railroads.

Source: Surface Transportation Board.

Source: Surface Transportation Board.

Current Week Ending:

% change last week

% change last year

% change 3-year avg.

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

1,000 carloads

Prior 3-year, 4-week average Current 4-week average

Rail Transportation
GTR 04-04-24

Page 10

Rail Transportation

Table 4a. Rail service metrics—grain unit train origin dwell times and train speeds

Note: NS = Norfolk Southern; UP = Union Pacific; CN = Canadian National; CP = Canadian Pacific; KCS = Kansas City Southern. Although CP and KCS have merged to form CPKC, the service metrics are 

reported for two legacy networks that correspond to the old nomenclature (CP and KCS).

These service metrics are published weekly on the Surface Transportation Board’s website and on AgTransport. For more information on each service metric, see 49 CFR § 1250.2.

Source: Surface Transportation Board.

For the week ending:

3/23/2024

East West Central U.S.

U.S. Average

CSX NS BNSF UP CN CP KCS

Grain unit train 

origin dwell times 

(hours)

This week 46.6 37.6 26.6 13.3 3.4 8.4 24.2 22.9

Average over last 4 weeks 34.4 36.7 33.1 17.0 7.7 15.4 18.7 23.3

Average of same 4 weeks last year 34.6 36.2 27.4 22.4 14.3 75.8 12.5 31.9

Grain unit train 

speeds 

(miles per hour)

This week 23.5 17.2 24.6 22.8 25.4 25.5 27.1 23.7

Average over last 4 weeks 23.3 17.2 24.3 22.4 25.1 23.3 26.9 23.2

Average of same 4 weeks last year 24.2 17.2 24.6 22.1 23.8 20.1 26.1 22.6

Table 4b. Rail service metrics—unfilled grain car orders and delays

Note: NS = Norfolk Southern; UP = Union Pacific; CN = Canadian National; CP = Canadian Pacific; KCS = Kansas City Southern. Although CP and KCS have merged to form CPKC, the service metrics are 

reported for two legacy networks that correspond to the old nomenclature (CP and KCS).

These service metrics are published weekly on the Surface Transportation Board’s website and on AgTransport. For more information on each service metric, see 49 CFR § 1250.2.

Source: Surface Transportation Board.

For the week ending:

3/23/2024

East West Central U.S.

U.S. Total

CSX NS BNSF UP CN CP KCS

Empty grain cars 

not moved in over 

48 hours 

(number)

This week 37 14 533 82 1 32 9 708 

Average over last 4 weeks 29 9 612 92 5 38 22 807 

Average of same 4 weeks last year 22 9 999 163 9 127 52 1,380 

Loaded grain cars 

not moved in over 

48 hours 

(number)

This week 10 307 925 60 2 51 5 1,360 

Average over last 4 weeks 29 359 1,116 82 3 66 23 1,677 

Average of same 4 weeks last year 21 329 1,432 230 16 325 42 2,395 

Grain unit trains 

held 

(number)

This week 1 2 23 2 0 2 6 36 

Average over last 4 weeks 1 4 23 1 0 3 6 37 

Average of same 4 weeks last year 1 4 9 16 0 2 4 35 

Unfilled grain car 

orders 

(number)

This week 0 14 6,683 535 0 938 0 8,170 

Average over last 4 weeks 1 4 6,675 706 0 983 65 8,433 

Average of same 4 weeks last year 5 55 5,604 1,210 0 114 0 6,988 
GTR 04-04-24

Page 11

Rail Transportation

Average monthly system-wide grain shuttle turns reported in the first week of March 2024 were 2.5. By destination region, average monthly 

grain shuttle turns were 2.4 to PNW, 1.65 to Mexico, 3.05 to the Gulf, and 3.05 to the Southwest.

Figure 4. Average monthly turns for grain shuttle trains, by region

Note: Data is submitted in the first weekly report of each month, covering the previous month. A “shuttle turn” refers to the number of trips completed per month by a single train. 

Numbers reflect averages of the three railroads with a shuttle train program: BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad; and CPKC. CPKC only reports values for the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Regions are 

not standardized and vary across railroads. “Southwest” refers to domestic destinations and includes: “West Texas, Arkansas/Texas, California/Arizona, and California.” 

Source: Surface Transportation Board.

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

2022 2023 2024

Average monthly shuttle turns

System PNW, export Mexico, export Gulf, export Southwest, domestic
GTR 04-04-24

Page 12

Railroads periodically auction guaranteed grain car service for an individual trip or a period of time (e.g., one year). This ordering system is 

referred to as the “primary market.” Once grain shippers acquire guaranteed freight on the primary market, they can trade that freight with 

other shippers through a broker. These transactions are referred to as the “secondary market.” Secondary rail values are indicators of rail 

service quality and demand/supply. The values published herein are market indicators only and do not represent guaranteed prices.

Note: Non-shuttle bids include unit-train and single-car bids. n/a = not available; avg. = average; yr. = year; BNSF = BNSF Railway; UP = Union Pacific Railroad.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service analysis of data from Tradewest Brokerage Company and the Malsam Company.

Note: Non-shuttle bids include unit-train and single-car bids. n/a = not available; avg. = average; yr. = year; BNSF = BNSF Railway; UP = Union Pacific Railroad.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service analysis of data from Tradewest Brokerage Company and the Malsam Company.

Average non-shuttle bids/offers fell $31 

this week, and are $44 below the peak.

Average shuttle bids/offers fell $294 

this week and are $294 below the peak.

Current Bid Month:

Current Bid Year:

Figure 5. Secondary market bids/offers for railcars to 

3/28/2024

Non-Shuttle

Shuttle

Last Week

Non-Shuttle

Shuttle

Last Year

Non-Shuttle

Shuttle

All bids this week

Month

1

2

3

-400

-200

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

Average premium/discount to tariff 

($/car)

Shuttle Non-shuttle

Shuttle prior 3-yr. avg. (same week) Non-shuttle prior 3-yr. avg. (same week)

Current Bid Month:

Current Bid Year:

Figure 6. Secondary market bids/offers for railcars to 

3/28/2024

Non-Shuttle

Shuttle

Last Week

Non-Shuttle

Shuttle

Last Year

Non-Shuttle

Shuttle

All bids this week

Month

1

2

3

-400

-200

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

Average premium/discount to tariff 

($/car)

Shuttle Non-shuttle

Shuttle prior 3-yr. avg. (same week) Non-shuttle prior 3-yr. avg. (same week)

Average non-shuttle bids/offers rose 

$25 this week, and are at the peak.

Average shuttle bids/offers fell $50 this 

week and are $50 below the peak.

Rail Transportation

Figure 5. Secondary market bids/offers for railcars to be delivered in April 2024

Figure 6. Secondary market bids/offers for railcars to be delivered in May 2024

3/28/2024 BNSF UP

Non-Shuttle $500 $400

Shuttle $100 $200

3/28/2024 BNSF UP

Non-Shuttle $675 $450

Shuttle $475 $200
GTR 04-04-24

Page 13

Table 5. Weekly secondary railcar market (dollars per car)

Note: Non-shuttle bids include unit-train and single-car bids. n/a = not available; avg. = average; yr. = year; BNSF = BNSF Railway; UP = Union Pacific Railroad.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service analysis of data from Tradewest Brokerage Company and the Malsam Company.

Note: Bids and offers represent a premium/discount to tariff rates; n/a = not available; BNSF = BNSF Railway; UP = Union Pacific Railroad; CPKC = Canadian Pacific Kansas City. 

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service analysis of data from Tradewest Brokerage Company and the Malsam Company. 

Average non-shuttle bids/offers fell 

$100 this week, and are $100 below the 

peak.

Average shuttle bids/offers rose $13 this 

week and are at the peak.

Current Bid Month:

Current Bid Year:

Figure 7. Secondary market bids/offers for railcars to 

3/28/2024

Non-Shuttle

Shuttle

Last Week

Non-Shuttle

Shuttle

Last Year

Non-Shuttle

Shuttle

All bids this week

Month

1

2

3

-400

-300

-200

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Average premium/discount to tariff 

($/car)

Shuttle Non-shuttle

Shuttle prior 3-yr. avg. (same week) Non-shuttle prior 3-yr. avg. (same week)

For the week ending:

3/28/2024

Delivery period

Apr-24 May-24 Jun-24 Jul-24 Aug-24 Sep-24

Non-shuttle

BNSF 675 500 400 n/a n/a n/a

Change from last week 75 75 0 n/a n/a n/a

Change from same week 2023 600 400 300 n/a n/a n/a

UP 450 400 200 n/a n/a n/a

Change from last week -138 -25 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Change from same week 2023 150 125 0 n/a n/a n/a

Shuttle

BNSF 475 100 -50 n/a -100 n/a

Change from last week -388 -100 13 n/a 0 n/a

Change from same week 2023 606 288 n/a n/a 100 n/a

UP 200 200 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Change from last week -200 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Change from same week 2023 483 400 n/a n/a n/a n/a

CPKC 200 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Change from last week -100 -200 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Change from same week 2023 300 100 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Rail Transportation

Figure 7. Secondary market bids/offers for railcars to be delivered in June 2024

3/28/2024 BNSF UP

Non-Shuttle $400 $200

Shuttle -$50 n/a
GTR 04-04-24

Page 14

Table 6. Tariff rail rates for unit train shipments

The tariff rail rate is the base price of freight rail service. Together with fuel surcharges and any auction and secondary rail values, the tariff 

rail rate constitutes the full cost of shipping by rail. Typically, auction and secondary rail values are a small fraction of the full cost of shipping 

by rail relative to the tariff rate. However, during times of high rail demand or short supply, high auction and secondary rail values can exceed 

the cost of the tariff rate plus fuel surcharge.

Note: A unit train refers to shipments of at least 25 cars. Shuttle train rates are generally available for qualified shipments of 75-120 cars that meet railroad efficiency requirements. 

The table assumes 111 short tons (100.7 metric tons) per car, 56 pounds per bushel of corn, and 60 pounds per bushel of wheat and soybeans. Percentage change year to year (Y/Y) is 

calculated using the tariff rate plus fuel surcharge 

Source: BNSF Railway, Canadian National Railway, CSX Transportation, and Union Pacific Railroad.

April 2024 Origin region Destination region Tariff

rate/car

Fuel surcharge 

per car

Tariff plus

surcharge per

metric ton

Tariff plus

surcharge per 

bushel

Percent

Change

Y/Y

Wheat 

Wichita, KS St. Louis, MO $4,095 $197 $42.63 $1.16 4

Grand Forks, ND Duluth-Superior, MN $3,508 $60 $35.43 $0.96 -10

Wichita, KS Los Angeles, CA $6,840 $306 $70.96 $1.93 -10

Wichita, KS New Orleans, LA $4,825 $347 $51.36 $1.40 3

Sioux Falls, SD Galveston-Houston, TX $6,611 $251 $68.14 $1.85 -10

Colby, KS Galveston-Houston, TX $5,075 $380 $54.17 $1.47 3

Amarillo, TX Los Angeles, CA $5,121 $529 $56.11 $1.53 -2

Corn 

Champaign-Urbana, IL New Orleans, LA $4,000 $392 $43.62 $1.11 -2

Toledo, OH Raleigh, NC $8,877 $0 $88.15 $2.24 4

Des Moines, IA Davenport, IA $2,830 $83 $28.93 $0.73 6

Indianapolis, IN Atlanta, GA $6,866 $0 $68.18 $1.73 4

Indianapolis, IN Knoxville, TN $5,790 $0 $57.50 $1.46 4

Des Moines, IA Little Rock, AR $4,425 $244 $46.37 $1.18 3

Des Moines, IA Los Angeles, CA $6,305 $711 $69.67 $1.77 0

Soybeans 

Minneapolis, MN New Orleans, LA $3,156 $580 $37.10 $1.01 -18

Toledo, OH Huntsville, AL $7,269 $0 $72.18 $1.96 3

Indianapolis, IN Raleigh, NC $8,169 $0 $81.12 $2.21 4

Indianapolis, IN Huntsville, AL $5,921 $0 $58.80 $1.60 4

Champaign-Urbana, IL New Orleans, LA $5,040 $392 $53.95 $1.47 2

Rail Transportation
GTR 04-04-24

Page 15

Table 7. Tariff rail rates for shuttle train shipments

Note: A unit train refers to shipments of at least 25 cars. Shuttle train rates are generally available for qualified shipments of 75-120 cars that meet railroad efficiency requirements. 

The table assumes 111 short tons (100.7 metric tons) per car, 56 pounds per bushel of corn, and 60 pounds per bushel of wheat and soybeans. Percentage change year to year (Y/Y) is 

calculated using the tariff rate plus fuel surcharge.

Source: BNSF Railway, Canadian National Railway, CSX Transportation, and Union Pacific Railroad.

April 2024 Origin region Destination region Tariff

rate/car

Fuel surcharge 

per car

Tariff plus

surcharge per

metric ton

Tariff plus

surcharge per 

bushel

Percent

Change

Y/Y

Wheat 

Great Falls, MT Portland, OR $4,043 $176 $41.90 $1.14 -9

Wichita, KS Galveston-Houston, TX $4,111 $137 $42.18 $1.15 -6

Chicago, IL Albany, NY $7,413 $0 $73.61 $2.00 5

Grand Forks, ND Portland, OR $5,701 $304 $59.63 $1.62 -8

Grand Forks, ND Galveston-Houston, TX $5,146 $312 $54.20 $1.48 -7

Colby, KS Portland, OR $5,923 $624 $65.01 $1.77 -2

Corn 

Minneapolis, MN Portland, OR $5,660 $370 $59.88 $1.52 -3

Sioux Falls, SD Tacoma, WA $5,620 $339 $59.18 $1.50 -3

Champaign-Urbana, IL New Orleans, LA $4,345 $392 $47.04 $1.20 2

Lincoln, NE Galveston-Houston, TX $4,560 $198 $47.25 $1.20 2

Des Moines, IA Amarillo, TX $4,845 $307 $51.16 $1.30 2

Minneapolis, MN Tacoma, WA $5,660 $367 $59.85 $1.52 -3

Council Bluffs, IA Stockton, CA $5,780 $380 $61.17 $1.55 0

Soybeans 

Sioux Falls, SD Tacoma, WA $6,335 $339 $66.28 $1.80 -3

Minneapolis, MN Portland, OR $6,385 $370 $67.08 $1.83 -3

Fargo, ND Tacoma, WA $6,235 $301 $64.91 $1.77 -2

Council Bluffs, IA New Orleans, LA $5,270 $452 $56.83 $1.55 1

Toledo, OH Huntsville, AL $5,509 $0 $54.71 $1.49 4

Grand Island, NE Portland, OR $5,905 $638 $64.98 $1.77 1

Rail Transportation
GTR 04-04-24

Page 16

 

$0.00

$0.20

$0.40

$0.60

$0.80

$1.00

Dollars per railcar mile

3-year monthly average

Fuel surcharge ($/mile/railcar)

Note: Rates are based on published tariff rates for high-capacity shuttle trains. Shuttle trains are available for qualified shipments of 75-110 cars that meet railroad efficiency requirements. The table 

assumes 97.87 metric tons per car, 56 pounds per bushel for corn and sorghum, and 60 pounds per bushel for wheat and soybeans. Percentage change year over year (Y/Y) is calculated using the 

tariff rate plus fuel surcharge. As of January 1, both BNSF and Union Pacific changed their billing and reporting of rates to Mexico. As we incorporate the change, table 8 updates will be delayed. 

Source: BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, Kansas City Southern.

Note: Weighted by each Class I railroad's proportion of grain traffic for the prior year. 

Source: BNSF Railway, Canadian National Railway, CSX Transportation, Canadian Pacific Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, Kansas City Southern Railway, Norfolk Southern Corporation.

Table 8. Tariff rail rates for U.S. bulk grain shipments to Mexico

April 2024: $0.31/mile, up 

3 cents from last month’s 

surcharge of $0.28/mile; down 

8 cents from the April 2023 

surcharge of $0.39/mile; and 

up 5 cents from the April prior 

3-year average of $0.26/mile.

December 2021 Origin state Destination region Tariff rate

per car Fuel surcharge per car

Tariff rate plus 

fuel surcharge per: Percent change

Y/Y

metric ton bushel

Wheat

 MT Chihuahua, CI $7,699 $0 $78.67 $2.14 4

 OK Cuautitlan, EM $6,900 $230 $72.85 $1.98 6

 KS Guadalajara, JA $7,619 $719 $85.19 $2.32 7

 TX Salinas Victoria, NL $4,420 $138 $46.57 $1.27 4

Corn

 IA Guadalajara, JA $9,102 $663 $99.77 $2.53 6

 SD Celaya, GJ $8,300 $0 $84.81 $2.15 2

 NE Queretaro, QA $8,322 $462 $89.75 $2.28 5

 SD Salinas Victoria, NL $6,905 $0 $70.55 $1.79 0

 MO Tlalnepantla, EM $7,687 $450 $83.14 $2.11 5

 SD Torreon, CU $7,825 $0 $79.95 $2.03 2

Soybeans

 MO Bojay (Tula), HG $8,647 $614 $94.63 $2.57 5

 NE Guadalajara, JA $9,207 $646 $100.67 $2.74 5

 IA El Castillo, JA $9,510 $0 $97.17 $2.64 1

 KS Torreon, CU $8,109 $466 $87.61 $2.38 5

Sorghum

 NE Celaya, GJ $7,932 $597 $87.15 $2.21 6

 KS Queretaro, QA $8,108 $287 $85.77 $2.18 3

 NE Salinas Victoria, NL $6,713 $231 $70.94 $1.80 3

 NE Torreon, CU $7,225 $438 $78.29 $1.99 6

Rail Transportation

Figure 8. Railroad fuel surcharges, North American weighted average
GTR 04-04-24

Page 17

Table 9. Weekly barge freight rates: southbound only

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Note: Rate = percent of 1976 tariff benchmark index (1976 = 100 percent); 3-year avg. = 4-week moving average of the 3-year 

avg.; ton = 2,000 pounds; n/a = data not available.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Figure 10. Benchmark tariff rates

Note: Rate = percent of 1976 tariff benchmark index (1976 = 100 percent); 3-year avg. = 4-week moving average of the 3-year average. 

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week 

ending April 2: 

6 percent lower 

than the previous 

week; 40 percent 

lower than last 

year; and 44 

percent lower 

than the 3-year 

average.

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

Percent of tariff

Weekly rate 3-year average

Calculating barge rate per ton:

(Rate* 1976 tariff benchmark rate per ton)/100

Select applicable index from market quotes 

are included in tables on this page. The 1976 

benchmark rates per ton are provided in map.

Barge Transportation

Figure 9. Illinois River barge freight rate

Measure Date Twin 

Cities

MidMississippi Lower Illinois 

River St. Louis Cincinnati Lower Ohio

CairoMemphis

Rate

4/2/2024 379 347 336 241 294 294 228

3/26/2024 394 369 356 259 311 311 234

$/ton 4/2/2024 23.46 18.46 15.59 9.62 13.79 11.88 7.16

3/26/2024 24.39 19.63 16.52 10.33 14.59 12.56 7.35

Measure Time Period Twin 

Cities

MidMississippi Lower Illinois 

River St. Louis Cincinnati Lower Ohio

CairoMemphis

Current 

week % 

change from 

the same 

week

Last year -35 -39 -40 -40 -33 -33 -31

3-year avg. -42 -44 -44 -50 -45 -45 -45

Rate May 363 338 331 236 282 282 224

July 359 335 328 242 276 276 226
GTR 04-04-24

Page 18

For the week ending March 30: 7 

percent lower than last year and 2 

percent lower than the 3-year average.

Table 10. Barged grain movements (1,000 tons) 

Note: “Other” refers to oats, barely, sorghum, and rye. Total may not add up due to rounding. YTD = year to date. Weekly total, YTD, and calendar year total include Mississippi River lock 27, Ohio 

River Olmsted lock, and Arkansas Lock 1. “L” (as in "L15") refers to a lock, locks, or lock and dam facility. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has recently migrated its lock and vessel database and has 

noted the latest data may be revised in coming weeks. 

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Note: The 3-year average is a 4-week moving average. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has recently migrated its lock and vessel 

database and has noted the latest data may be revised in coming weeks.

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,000 short tons

Soybeans

Wheat

Corn

3‐year average

For the week ending 03/30/2024 Corn Wheat Soybeans Other Total

Mississippi River (Rock Island, IL (L15)) 13 0 49 0 62

Mississippi River (Winfield, MO (L25)) 98 3 81 0 182

Mississippi River (Alton, IL (L26)) 220 3 165 0 388

Mississippi River (Granite City, IL (L27)) 208 5 155 0 367

Illinois River (La Grange) 75 0 83 0 158

Ohio River (Olmsted) 166 15 65 0 245

Arkansas River (L1) 0 39 7 0 46

Weekly total - 2024 374 59 226 0 659

Weekly total - 2023 401 27 259 27 715

2024 YTD 3,035 429 3,583 66 7,113

2023 YTD 3,022 313 3,763 118 7,216

2024 as % of 2023 YTD 100 137 95 56 99

Last 4 weeks as % of 2023 101 260 105 43 107

Total 2023 12,857 1,346 11,824 267 26,294

Figure 11. Barge movements on the Mississippi River (Locks 27-Granite City, IL)

Barge Transportation
GTR 04-04-24

Page 19

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

Downbound grain barges Locks 27, 1, and Olmsted

Grain barges unloaded in New Orleans

Number of barges

For the week ending March 30: 

685 barges transited the locks, 10 

barges fewer than the previous 

week, and 2 percent higher than 

the 3-year average.

For the week ending March 30: 

447 barges moved down river, 117 

fewer than the previous week; 607 

grain barges unloaded in the New 

Orleans Region, 6 percent fewer 

than the previous week.

Note: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has recently migrated its lock and vessel database and has noted the latest data may be revised in coming weeks. 

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Note: Olmsted = Olmsted Locks and Dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has recently migrated its lock and vessel database and has noted the latest 

data may be revised in coming weeks.

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Number of barges

MS Locks 27 AR Lock and Dam 1 Ohio Olmsted Locks and Dam

Barge Transportation

Figure 12. Upbound empty barges transiting Mississippi River Locks 27, Arkansas River Lock and Dam 1, and Ohio River Olmsted Locks and Dam

Figure 13. Grain barges for export in New Orleans region
GTR 04-04-24

Page 20

The weekly diesel price provides 

a proxy for trends in U.S. truck 

rates as diesel fuel is a significant 

expense for truck grain 

movements.

Table 11. Retail on-highway diesel prices, week ending 4/01/2024 (U.S. $/gallon)

For the week ending April 1, the U.S. 

average diesel fuel decreased 3.8 cents 

from the previous week to $3.996 per 

gallon, 10.9 cents below the same week 

last year.

Note: Diesel fuel prices include all taxes. Prices represent an average of all types of diesel fuel. On June 13, 2022, the Energy Information 

Administration implemented a new methodology to estimate weekly on-highway diesel fuel prices.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration.

Note: On June 13, 2022, the Energy Information Administration implemented a new methodology to estimate weekly on-highway diesel fuel prices.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration.

Note: On June 13, the Energy Information Administration implemented a new methodology to estimate weekly on-highway diesel fuel prices.

$3.996

$4.105

$2.000

$2.200

$2.400

$2.600

$2.800

$3.000

$3.200

$3.400

$3.600

$3.800

$4.000

$4.200

$4.400

$4.600

$4.800

$5.000

$5.200

$5.400

$5.600

$ per gallon

Last year

Current year

Region Location Price Change from

Week ago Year ago

I

East Coast 4.083 -0.042 -0.143

New England 4.305 -0.016 -0.275

Central Atlantic 4.271 -0.023 -0.256

Lower Atlantic 3.990 -0.052 -0.088

II Midwest 3.949 -0.037 -0.003

III Gulf Coast 3.670 -0.047 -0.217

IV Rocky Mountain 3.949 -0.037 -0.201

V

West Coast 4.651 -0.015 -0.073

West Coast less California 4.147 -0.026 -0.295

California 5.221 -0.003 0.174

Total United States 3.996 -0.038 -0.109

Truck Transportation

Figure 14. Weekly diesel fuel prices, U.S. average
GTR 04-04-24

Page 21

Table 12. U.S. export balances and cumulative exports (1,000 metric tons)

Note: The marketing year for wheat is Jun. 1 to May 31 and, for corn and soybeans, Sep. 1 to Aug. 31. YTD = year-to-date; wks. = weeks.

Source: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service.

Table 13. Top 5 importers of U.S. corn

Note: The top 5 importers are based on USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) marketing year ranking reports for marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (Sep. 1 – Aug. 31). “Total commitments” = 

cumulative exports (shipped) + outstanding sales (unshipped), from FAS weekly export sales report, or export sales query. Total commitments’ change (net sales) from prior week could include 

revisions from previous week's outstanding sales or accumulated sales. In rightmost column, “Exports” = carryover plus accumulated exports (as defined in FAS marketing year ranking reports). 

mt = metric ton; yr. = year; avg. = average; YTD = year to date; "-" = not applicable.

Source: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service.

For the week ending 3/21/2024

Total commitments (1,000 mt) % change current MY

from last MY

Exports 3-year average

2020-22 (1,000 mt) YTD MY 2023/24 YTD MY 2022/23

Mexico 18,252 13,408 36 15,227

China 1,923 7,515 -74 12,616

Japan 7,305 4,775 53 10,273

Colombia 4,290 1,651 160 4,398

Korea 1,423 766 86 2,563

Top 5 importers 33,192 28,115 18 45,077

Total U.S. corn export sales 42,903 35,965 19 56,665

% of YTD current month’s export projection 80% 85% - - 

Change from prior week 1,207 1,037 - - 

Top 5 importers’ share of U.S. corn export sales 77% 78% - 80%

USDA forecast March 2024 53,343 42,192 26 -

Corn use for ethanol USDA forecast, March 2024 136,525 131,471 4 -

Grain Exports

Grain Exports

Wheat

Hard red Corn Soybeans Total

winter 

(HRW)

Soft red 

winter 

(SRW)

Hard red 

spring 

(HRS)

Soft white 

wheat 

(SWW)

Durum All wheat

Current unshipped (outstanding)

 export sales

For the week ending 3/21/2024 1,055 1,195 1,467 924 71 4,712 17,525 4,143 26,380 

This week year ago 619 486 866 690 77 2,737 16,722 5,253 24,713 

Last 4 wks. as % of same period 2022/23 160 320 182 130 115 187 106 92 112 

Current shipped (cumulative)

 exports sales

2023/24 YTD 2,559 3,102 4,889 3,059 411 14,020 25,378 36,212 75,610 

2022/23 YTD 4,279 2,304 4,565 3,771 291 15,210 19,243 44,508 78,960 

YTD 2023/24 as % of 2022/23 60 135 107 81 141 92 132 81 96 

 Total 2022/23 4,872 2,695 5,382 4,414 395 17,759 39,469 52,208 109,435 

 Total 2021/22 7,172 2,786 5,254 3,261 196 18,669 59,764 57,189 135,622 
GTR 04-04-24

Page 22

Table 14. Top 5 importers of U.S. soybeans

Note: The top 5 importers are based on USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) marketing year ranking reports for marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (Sep. 1 – Aug. 31). “Total commitments” = 

cumulative exports (shipped) + outstanding sales (unshipped), from FAS weekly export sales report, or export sales query. Total commitments’ change (net sales) from prior week could include 

revisions from previous week's outstanding sales or accumulated sales. In rightmost column, “Exports” = carryover plus accumulated export (as defined in FAS marketing year ranking reports). mt = 

metric ton; yr. = year; avg. = average; YTD = year to date; "-" = not applicable. 

Source: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service.

Table 15. Top 10 importers of all U.S. wheat

Note: The top 5 importers are based on USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) marketing year ranking reports for marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (Sep. 1 – Aug. 31). “Total commitments” = 

cumulative exports (shipped) + outstanding sales (unshipped), from FAS weekly export sales report, or export sales query. Total commitments’ change (net sales) from prior week could include 

revisions from previous week's outstanding sales or accumulated sales. In rightmost column, “Exports” = carryover plus accumulated export (as defined in FAS marketing year ranking reports). mt = 

metric ton; yr. = year; avg. = average; YTD = year to date; "-" = not applicable. 

Source: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service.

For the week ending 3/21/2024

Total commitments (1,000 mt) % change current MY 

from last MY

Exports 3-year average 

2020-22 (1,000 mt) YTD MY 2023/24 YTD MY 2022/23

China 23,301 30,830 -24 32,321

Mexico 4,142 4,200 -1 4,912

Egypt 482 1,072 -55 2,670

Japan 1,740 1,830 -5 2,259

Indonesia 1,399 1,160 21 1,973

Top 5 importers 31,065 39,092 -21 44,133

Total U.S. soybean export sales 40,355 49,761 -19 56,656

% of YTD current month’s export projection 86% 92% - -

Change from prior week 264 348 - -

Top 5 importers’ share of U.S. soybean export sales 77% 79% - 78%

USDA forecast, March 2024 46,811 54,213 -14 -

Grain Exports

For the week ending 3/21/2024

Total commitments (1,000 mt) % change current MY 

from last MY

Exports 3-year average 

2020-22 (1,000 mt) YTD MY 2023/24 YTD MY 2022/23

Mexico 3,183 3,143 1 3,397

Philippines 2,759 2,203 25 2,615

Japan 1,984 2,095 -5 2,281

China 2,088 1,029 103 1,740

Korea 1,405 1,259 12 1,426

Nigeria 243 752 -68 1,276

Taiwan 1,096 754 45 944

Thailand 455 624 -27 643

Colombia 294 514 -43 537

Indonesia 432 345 25 469

Top 10 importers 13,938 12,720 10 15,327

Total U.S. wheat export sales 18,732 17,947 4 20,411

 % of YTD current month’s export projection 97% 87% - -

Change from prior week 340 84 - -

Top 10 importers’ share of U.S. wheat export sales 74% 71% - 75%

USDA forecast, March 2024 19,323 20,657 -6 - 
GTR 04-04-24

Page 23

Table 16. Grain inspections for export by U.S. port region (1,000 metric tons)

*Note: Data includes revisions from prior weeks; "All grain" includes corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum, oats, barley, rye, sunflower, flaxseed, and mixed grains; "All regions" includes listed regions and 

other minor regions not listed; YTD= year-to-date; n/a = not available or no change.

Source: USDA, Federal Grain Inspection Service.

Port regions Commodity For the week ending

03/28/2024

Previous 

week*

Current week 

as % of previous 2024 YTD* 2023 YTD* 2024 YTD as% of 2023 YTD

Last 4-weeks as % of:

2023 total*

Last year Prior 3-yr. avg.

Pacific 

Northwest

Corn 564 499 113 4,088 827 494 585 158 5,267

Soybeans 0 43 0 2,379 3,133 76 n/a 136 10,286

Wheat 253 182 139 2,382 2,965 80 111 87 9,814

All Grain 885 723 122 9,443 7,066 134 270 120 25,913

Mississippi 

Gulf

Corn 567 507 112 5,989 5,887 102 78 55 23,630

Soybeans 304 542 56 8,563 9,682 88 98 138 26,878

Wheat 162 190 86 1,442 669 215 227 266 3,335

All Grain 1,034 1,240 83 16,049 16,239 99 93 83 53,843

Texas Gulf

Corn 10 10 101 122 70 175 267 119 397

Soybeans 0 0 n/a 0 49 0 n/a n/a 267

Wheat 34 34 98 371 529 70 90 61 1,593

All Grain 179 44 406 1,693 1,174 144 117 66 5,971

Interior

Corn 288 239 120 3,097 2,413 128 130 130 10,474

Soybeans 109 196 56 2,076 1,948 107 105 101 6,508

Wheat 45 27 166 675 615 110 169 132 2,281

All Grain 449 479 94 5,933 5,003 119 127 121 19,467

Great Lakes

Corn 0 0 n/a 0 0 n/a n/a n/a 57

Soybeans 0 0 n/a 0 2 0 n/a n/a 192

Wheat 0 0 n/a 30 60 50 50 113 581

All Grain 0 0 n/a 30 62 48 50 113 831

Atlantic

Corn 3 0 n/a 107 44 240 151 275 166

Soybeans 1 4 23 400 1,007 40 7 8 2,058

Wheat 6 0 n/a 10 35 30 1020 46 101

All Grain 9 4 223 517 1,086 48 19 21 2,325

All Regions

Corn 1,432 1,255 114 13,403 9,247 145 132 86 40,004

Soybeans 414 785 53 13,471 15,926 85 103 116 46,459

Wheat 499 433 115 4,910 4,873 101 139 116 17,738

All Grain 2,556 2,490 103 33,717 30,739 110 123 95 108,664

Grain Exports
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0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

Million metric tons (mmt)

Current week

3-year, 4-week average

Figure 16. U.S. grain inspections for U.S. Gulf and PNW(wheat, corn, and soybeans)

The United States exports approximately one-quarter of the grain it produces. On average, this includes nearly 45 percent of U.S.-grown 

wheat, 50 percent of U.S.-grown soybeans, and 20 percent of the U.S.-grown corn. Approximately 55 percent of the U.S. export grain 

shipments departed through the U.S. Gulf region in 2019.

For the week ending 

Mar. 28: 2.6 mmt of grain 

inspected, up 3 percent 

from the previous week, 

up 41 percent from the 

same week last year, and 

down 4 percent from the 

3-year, 4-week average.

Notes: 3-year average consists of 4-week running average.

Source: USDA, Federal Grain Inspection Service.

Source: USDA, Federal Grain Inspection Service.

0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

Million metric tons (mmt)

Mississippi (MS) Gulf 3-year avg. - MS Gulf

Pacific Northwest (PNW) 3-year avg. - PNW

Texas (TX) Gulf 3-year avg. - TX Gulf

Week ending 03/28/24 inspections (mmt):

MS Gulf: 1.03

PNW: 0.88

TX Gulf: 0.18

Percent change from: MS 

Gulf

TX

 Gulf

U.S. 

Gulf PNW

Last week down

 17

up 

306

down

 5

up 

22

Last year (same 7 days) down 

10

up

 82

down 

3

up

 258

3-year average 

(4-week moving average)

down 

25

down 

2

down

 23

up 

34

Grain Exports

Figure 15. U.S. grain inspected for export (wheat, corn, and soybeans)
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Table 17. Weekly port region grain ocean vessel activity (number of vessels)

Figure 17. U.S . Gulf vessel loading activity

Note: U.S. Gulf includes Mississippi, Texas, and the East Gulf region.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Week ending 3/28/24, 

number of vessels Loaded Due

Change from last year -43% 7%

Change from 4-year average -47% -29%

Date

Gulf Pacific Northwest

In port Loaded 7-days Due next 10-days In port

3/28/2024 19 17 29 25 

3/21/2024 28 34 43 25 

2023 range (8...38) (17...34) (21...56) (1...24)

2023 average 22 26 39 10 

Note: The data are voluntarily submitted and may not be complete.

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Number of vessels

Loaded last 7 days Due next 10 days Loaded 4-year average

Ocean Transportation
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Figure 18. U.S. Grain vessel rates, U.S. to Japan

Note: PNW = Pacific Northwest

Source: O'Neil Commodity Consulting.

Table 18. Ocean freight rates for selected shipments, week ending 3/30/2024

Note: 50 percent of food aid from the United States is required to be shipped on U.S.-flag vessels. Rates shown are per metric ton (1 metric ton = 2,204.62 pounds), free on board 

(F.O.B), except where otherwise indicated. op = option

Source: Maritime Research, Inc.

Alt Text :

This graph depicts lines and bar chats showing ocea

the spread between them. 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

U.S. $/metric ton

Spread U.S. Gulf vs. PNW to Japan Rate U.S. Gulf to Japan Rate PNW to Japan

Ocean rates U.S. Gulf PNW Spread

March 2024 $62 $33 $28 

Change from 

March 2023 18% 14% 22%

Change from 

4-year average 7% 4% 12%

Export region Import region Grain types Entry date Loading date Volume loads 

(metric tons)

Freight rate 

(US$/metric ton)

U.S. Gulf Japan Heavy grain Mar 28, 2024 Apr 20/30, 2024 50,000 71.00 

U.S. Gulf Japan Heavy grain Mar 9, 2024 Apr 25/May 4, 2024 54,000 67.00 

U.S. Gulf Japan Heavy grain Mar 20, 2024 Apr 1/5, 2024 50,000 69.50 

U.S. Gulf China Corn Feb 28, 2024 Mar 1/10, 2024 66,000 61.50 

U.S. Gulf China Heavy grain Sep 12, 2023 Oct 1/ Nov 1, 2023 66,000 54.50 

U.S. Gulf Jamaica Wheat Nov 2, 2023 Dec 1/10, 2023 9,460 63.50 

U.S. Gulf Guyana Wheat Nov 2, 2023 Dec 1/10, 2023 8,250 84.00 

U.S. Gulf S. Korea Heavy grain Oct 10, 2023 Nov 25/Dec 5, 2023 58,000 65.35 

PNW N. China Heavy grain Oct 19, 2023 Nov 16/22, 2023 66,000 28.00 

PNW Thailand Heavy grain Oct 20, 2023 Dec 5/15, 2023 66,000 22.50 

WC US Thailand Wheat Nov 9, 2023 Dec 1/10, 2023 60,500 35.25 

Brazil China Heavy grain Mar 28, 2024 Apr 11/21, 2024 66,000 49.00 

Brazil China Heavy grain Mar 19, 2024 May 1/30, 2024 63,000 48.40 

Brazil China Soybean Feb 23, 2024 Apr 5/20, 2024 55,000 55.00 

Brazil China Heavy grain Jan 20, 2024 Feb 2/8, 2024 63,000 40.50 

Brazil Philippines Soybean Meal Feb 23, 2024 Apr 15/25, 2024 40,000 61.00 

France Morocco Wheat Feb 6, 2024 Feb 10/14, 2024 30,000 16.10 

France Mauritania Wheat Feb 6, 2024 Feb 10/14, 2024 30,000 23.50 

Ocean Transportation
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In 2020, containers were used to 

transport 10 percent of total U.S. 

waterborne grain exports. Approximately 

66 percent of U.S. waterborne grain 

exports in 2020 went to Asia, of which 

14 percent were moved in containers. 

Approximately 95 percent of U.S. 

waterborne containerized grain exports 

were destined for Asia. 

Note: The following harmonized rariff codes are used to calculate containerized grains movements: 1001, 100190, 1002, 100200, 

1003, 100300, 1004, 100400, 1005, 100590, 1007, 100700, 110100, 1102, 110220, 110290, 1201, 120100, 120190, 120810, 

230210, 230310, 230330, 2304, and 230990.

Source: Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service analysis of PIERS data, S&P Global.

Note: ft. = foot. The following harmonized tariff codes are used to calculate containerized grains movements: 1001, 100190, 1002, 100200, 1003, 100300, 

1004, 100400, 1005, 100590, 1007, 100700, 110100, 1102, 110220, 110290, 1201, 120100, 120190, 120810, 230210, 230310, 230330, 2304, and 230990.

Source: Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service analysis of PIERS data, S&P Global.

Containerized grain shipments in 

Dec. 2023 were up 7.6 percent from 

last year and up 12.7 percent from 

the 5-year average.

Figure 20. Monthly shipments of U.S. containerized grain exports 

Indonesia

18%

China

14%

Taiwan

14%

Korea

13% Vietnam

12%

Japan

5%

Thailand

4%

Malaysia

3%

Philippines

Singapore 2%

2%

Other

13%

Figure 19. Top 10 destination markets for U.S. containerized grain exports, Jan-Dec 2023

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

Thousand 20-ft.-equivalent units

 2022

2023

 5-year average

Ocean Transportation
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Page 28

Title Name Email Phone

Coordinators

Surajudeen (Deen) Olowolayemo surajudeen.olowolayemo@ams.usda.gov (202) 720-0119

Maria Williams maria.williams@usda.gov (202) 690-4430

Bernadette Winston bernadette.winston@usda.gov (202) 690-0487

Grain Transportation Indicators Surajudeen (Deen) Olowolayemo surajudeen.olowolayemo@ams.usda.gov (202) 720-0119

Rail Transportation

Jesse Gastelle jesse.gastelle@ams.usda.gov (202) 690-1144

Peter Caffarelli petera.caffarelli@ams.usda.gov (202) 690-3244

Rich Henderson richard.henderson2@usda.gov (919) 855-7801

Austin Hunt austin.hunt@usda.gov (540) 681-2596

Barge Transportation

Rich Henderson richard.henderson2@usda.gov (919) 855-7801

Alexis Heyman alexis.heyman@usda.gov (847) 699-2414

Truck Transportation

Kranti Mulik kranti.mulik@usda.gov (202) 756-2577

April Taylor april.taylor@ams.usda.gov (202) 720-7880

Alexis Heyman alexis.heyman@usda.gov (847) 699-2414

Grain Exports

Alexis Heyman alexis.heyman@usda.gov (847) 699-2414

Kranti Mulik kranti.mulik@usda.gov (202) 756-2577

Bernadette Winston bernadette.winston@usda.gov (202) 690-0487

Ocean Transportation

Surajudeen (Deen) Olowolayemo

(Freight rates and vessels) surajudeen.olowolayemo@ams.usda.gov (202) 720-0119

April Taylor

(Container movements) april.taylor@ams.usda.gov (202) 720-7880

Editor Maria Williams maria.williams@usda.gov (202) 690-4430

Contacts and Links

Additional Transportation Research and Analysis resources include the Grain Truck and Ocean Rate Advisory (GTOR), the Mexico Transport Cost 

Indicator Report, and the Brazil Soybean Transportation Report.

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

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Preferred citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service. Grain Transportation Report. April 4, 2024. 

Web: http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS056.04-04-2024