Weekly U.S. Rail Loadings Down

WASHINGTON - Mar 2/06 - SNS -- The number of carloads of grains and oilseeds delivered to U.S. ports for the week ending February 22 fell, according to the USDA's Transportation and Marketing Programs/Transportation Services Branch weekly Grain Transportation Report.

Total carloads delivered to major port areas during the week totalled 9,908, down from 11,035 the previous week. This lifted calendar year to date deliveries to 77,854 cars, up 2% from the 76,297 cars unloaded during the same period last year.

In releasing its latest transportation update, the USDA noted the cost of transporting grain from the United States to Mexico continued to rise through the closing quarter of 2005.

"The cost of waterborne corn and soybean transport from Illinois to Guadalajara, Mexico, increased about 13%. The total cost of transporting Kansas wheat along water routes to the same destination was 10% higher during the 4th quarter than the 3rd quarter.

"With the exception of rail, the cost for all modes of transportation on the water route increased during the 4th quarter. Truck rates for Illinois corn and soybeans taking the water route increased 13%, while truck rates for Kansas wheat increased 18%," the USDA said.

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