This article has been reprinted from the Feb. 14, USDA Grain Transportation Report.
Since the beginning of 2019, down-bound grain barge shipments on the Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas Rivers have been hampered by severe cold weather and difficult navigation conditions.
For the week ending February 9, total year-to-date (YTD) grain barge shipments were 2.7 million tons, 7 percent less than the same time last year and 27 percent less than the 3-year-average.
Corn shipments YTD were 1.2 million tons, which is 2 percent higher than last year but 28 percent less than the 3-year average.
Soybean shipments YTD were 1.3 million tons, 19 percent less than last year and 32 percent less than the 3-year average.
The total number of empty up-bound barges that traveled through Mississippi Locks 27, Arkansas Lock 1, and Ohio Olmsted Locks YTD was 3,410, 17 percent lower than last year and 23 percent lower than 3-year average.
The total number of grain barges unloaded in the New Orleans Port Region YTD was 4,392, 4 percent lower than last year and 6 percent less than the 3-year average.