Barge operators are reporting a lower demand for their services as newly harvested grain is being stored rather than shipped by barge.
As of October 27, export grain barge rates from the Upper Mississippi and Ohio rivers dropped from 19% to 36% compared to the previous week, and 21% to 39% below the 5-year average.
The St. Louis rate was 335% of tariff ($13.37 per ton), compared to last week’s rate of 532% of tariff ($20.87 per ton).
Throughout the river system, low water concerns have slowed barge movements, however, barge availability has been adequate. On the lower Mississippi River, the Coast Guard continues to restrict tow size and barge drafts on a nearly 400 mile section of the river from New Madrid, Mo., to Lake Providence, La., due to low water conditions.
