# Grain transportation demand strong despite fuel costs | Feed & Grain

> USDA data show sustained strong grain transportation demand across rail, barge and ocean modes despite higher fuel costs tied to geopolitical tensions. Grain stocks as of December 1, 2025 reached 483.1 million metric tons, 13% above the prior three-year average. First-quarter 2026 corn exports were the highest since 2021 and rail carloads ran 19% above last year.

- Date: 2026-05-08 · published 2026-05-08T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: logistics · region US · magnitude medium
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/16365-grain-transportation-demand-strong-despite-fuel-costs-feed-and-grain
- Commodities: [Corn](https://feedsoft.ai/c/CORN.md), [ULSD / Diesel](https://feedsoft.ai/c/DIESEL.md)

## Why it matters

Record stocks are bearish for corn values, while strong exports and rail demand support freight. Higher diesel costs raise hauling expenses and can feed into delivered feed costs.

## Read by commodity

- CORN: bearish ▼
- DIESEL: bullish ▲

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CORN | 2024-01-08 | [Understanding corn and soybean transportation costs in Q3 2023 \| Feed & Grain](https://feedsoft.ai/events/16571-understanding-corn-and-soybean-transportation-costs-in-q3-2023-feed-and-grain.md) | -2.2% | -2.3% |
| CORN | 2025-03-14 | [US grain transportation costs to Mexico show mixed trends in Q4 2024 \| Feed & Grain](https://feedsoft.ai/events/16467-us-grain-transportation-costs-to-mexico-show-mixed-trends-in-q4-2024-feed-and.md) | +6.8% | +5.7% |
| CORN | 2026-05-22 | [Grain transport costs to Mexico rise in Q1 \| Feed & Grain](https://feedsoft.ai/events/16361-grain-transport-costs-to-mexico-rise-in-q1-feed-and-grain.md) | -2.2% | -8.0% |
| CORN | 2025-02-20 | [Grain Transportation Report, February 20, 2025](https://feedsoft.ai/events/26235-grain-transportation-report-february-20-2025.md) | -5.1% | -2.4% |
| CORN | 2023-12-21 | [Grain Transportation Report, December 21, 2023](https://feedsoft.ai/events/32731-grain-transportation-report-december-21-2023.md) | +3.0% | -1.6% |
| DIESEL | 2026-06-03 | [Grain Journal \| Transportation Demand Stays Strong as Costs Climb](https://feedsoft.ai/events/19025-grain-journal-transportation-demand-stays-strong-as-costs-climb.md) | -5.4% | -14.7% |
| DIESEL | 2022-02-24 | [Grain Transportation Report, February 24, 2022](https://feedsoft.ai/events/42888-grain-transportation-report-february-24-2022.md) | +25.9% | +47.7% |
| DIESEL | 2024-02-15 | [Grain Transportation Report, February 15, 2024](https://feedsoft.ai/events/16561-grain-transportation-report-february-15-2024.md) | -2.0% | -3.4% |

## Sources

- feedandgrain.com: https://www.feedandgrain.com/grain-supply-chain/transportation/news/15824682/grain-transportation-demand-strong-despite-fuel-costs

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.