# Barge rates fall as Mississippi River conditions improve

> The USDA Grain Transportation Report showed the barge rate near St. Louis at 541% above tariff ($21.59/ton) for the week of January 10, down 25% from the prior week and 20% below a year earlier. The decline followed improved navigation on the Mississippi River from more rain, the end of harvest and larger barge drafts. The rate remained 80% below its October 2022 peak.

- Date: 2023-01-12 · published 2023-01-12T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: logistics · region US · magnitude medium
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/16655-barge-rates-fall-as-mississippi-river-conditions-improve
- Commodities: [Barge Freight (St. Louis)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/BARGE.md)

## Why it matters

Lower barge freight lowers the cost of moving grain and fertilizer on the river, which supports Gulf export basis and input costs for feed buyers. The 3-month forward rate still sat 35% above last year, so freight relief may be limited.

## Read by commodity

- BARGE: bearish ▼

## Sources

- feedandgrain.com: https://www.feedandgrain.com/grain-supply-chain/news/15384395/barge-rates-fall-as-mississippi-river-conditions-improve

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