# Bulk ocean freight rates rise in third quarter 2025 amid shifting global demand | Feed & Grain

> Bulk ocean freight rates for U.S. grain from the Gulf and Pacific Northwest rose in the third quarter of 2025 versus the second quarter, with Gulf-to-Japan averaging $54.36 per mt, up 17%. Rates remained below year-ago levels and the four-year average. Strong Chinese bulk imports and low Paraná River water levels in Argentina lifted demand and costs.

- Date: 2025-12-02 · published 2025-12-02T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: logistics · region US · magnitude medium
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/16894-bulk-ocean-freight-rates-rise-in-third-quarter-2025-amid-shifting-global-demand
- Commodities: [Ocean Grain Freight](https://feedsoft.ai/c/OCEANFRT.md), [Corn](https://feedsoft.ai/c/CORN.md), [Soybeans](https://feedsoft.ai/c/SOY.md)

## Why it matters

Higher freight widens the cost gap for U.S. grain exports against Black Sea and South American supply, which can weigh on U.S. export basis and farm-gate prices. Rates remain moderate, so the pressure is contained.

## Read by commodity

- SOY: bearish ▼
- CORN: bearish ▼
- OCEANFRT: bullish ▲

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CORN | 2019-02-14 | [Grain Journal \| Fourth Quarter Ocean Freight Rates Up in 2018,…](https://feedsoft.ai/events/60487-grain-journal-fourth-quarter-ocean-freight-rates-up-in-2018.md) | -1.4% | -3.4% |
| CORN | 2025-12-04 | [Ocean Freight Rates Rise as Grain Shipping Pressures Build - RFD-TV](https://feedsoft.ai/events/16896-ocean-freight-rates-rise-as-grain-shipping-pressures-build-rfd-tv.md) | +0.4% | +0.1% |
| CORN | 2026-10-22 | [Rising Ocean Freight Raises Costs for U.S. Grain - RFD-TV](https://feedsoft.ai/events/17245-rising-ocean-freight-raises-costs-for-u-s-grain-rfd-tv.md) | -1.2% | — |
| CORN | 2022-03-17 | [Grain Journal \| Downbound Barged Grain Spot Freight Rates Rise Sharply](https://feedsoft.ai/events/42187-grain-journal-downbound-barged-grain-spot-freight-rates-rise-sharply.md) | +2.8% | +7.8% |
| CORN | 2025-08-12 | [Rising Freight Rates for Grain Shipping from Ukraine](https://feedsoft.ai/events/14187-rising-freight-rates-for-grain-shipping-from-ukraine.md) | +0.0% | +4.3% |
| SOY | 2019-02-14 | [Grain Journal \| Fourth Quarter Ocean Freight Rates Up in 2018,…](https://feedsoft.ai/events/60487-grain-journal-fourth-quarter-ocean-freight-rates-up-in-2018.md) | -0.6% | -2.9% |
| SOY | 2025-12-04 | [Ocean Freight Rates Rise as Grain Shipping Pressures Build - RFD-TV](https://feedsoft.ai/events/16896-ocean-freight-rates-rise-as-grain-shipping-pressures-build-rfd-tv.md) | -2.2% | -7.7% |
| SOY | 2026-10-22 | [Rising Ocean Freight Raises Costs for U.S. Grain - RFD-TV](https://feedsoft.ai/events/17245-rising-ocean-freight-raises-costs-for-u-s-grain-rfd-tv.md) | -2.3% | — |

## Sources

- feedandgrain.com: https://www.feedandgrain.com/grain-supply-chain/grain-trade-export/news/15772920/bulk-ocean-freight-rates-rise-in-third-quarter-2025-amid-shifting-global-demand

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