As of Oct. 7, widespread rains delayed harvest in the Midwest and caused barge rates for export grain to drop 10 to 19% at principle inland origins, according to the most recent USDA Grain Transportation Report. Lower Illinois River barge rates dropped 16% from the previous week, but rates are still 57% above the 3-year average. Barge grain movements of the locking portion of the river system were up 41% compared to last week, while shipments on the Lower Mississippi River (no locks) continue to be significant, according to the USDA. During September, barge rates on the Mississippi, Illinois and Ohio Rivers increased 47% compared to the 5-year average, with the largest increases at St. Louis, Mo., and the lowest increases at Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. Meanwhile, grain loading activity in the U.S. Gulf continued to pick up.
As of the week ending Oct. 2, 61 vessels are expected to be loaded within the next 10 days, according to the Grain Transportation Report. During the week ending Oct. 4, barge grain movements totaled 510,450 tons — 41% higher than the previous week and 38% higher than the same period last year.
During the week ending Oct. 4, 321 grain barges moved down river, up 41.4% from last week; 803 grain barges were unloaded in New Orleans, up 11.2% from the previous week, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
