This article has been reprinted from the Feb. 7 USDA Grain Transportation Report.
In 2018, total annual grain barge shipments along the locking portions of the Mississippi, Arkansas, and Ohio rivers were 37.98 million tons, 7 percent lower than last year and 5 percent lower than the 3-year average.
Total soybean movements in 2018 were 1.67 million tons, 24 percent lower than 2017 and 18 percent lower than the 3-year average; mainly due to reduced sales to China.
Total wheat movements in 2018 were 12.82 million tons, 20 percent lower than last year and 22 percent lower than the 3-year average.
On the other hand, the total corn movements were 22.24 million tons, 5 percent higher than last year and 6 percent higher than the 3-year average.