# Rail Records Hide Car Shortfall as CN Contract Nears End

> Canada's two major railways posted record April grain volumes, with CN at 3.2 million tonnes and CPKC at 2.9 million tonnes. Hopper car fulfilment has stayed below the 90 per cent target for 14 straight weeks, with CN and CPKC combined delivering 85 per cent of ordered cars in the week ending May 4. Ocean freight has also tightened, with the Baltic Panamax Index rising to 2,135 points on May 6.

- Date: 2026-05-07 · published 2026-05-07T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: logistics · region Canada · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/19281-rail-records-hide-car-shortfall-as-cn-contract-nears-end
- Commodities: [Ocean Grain Freight](https://feedsoft.ai/c/OCEANFRT.md)

## Why it matters

A persistent car shortfall limits how much grain can move before harvest, and higher ocean freight narrows export margins and reduces basis for producers. Both factors support higher freight costs across Canadian grain exports.

## Read by commodity

- OCEANFRT: bullish ▲

## Sources

- westernfarmreport.ca: https://westernfarmreport.ca/rail-throughput-records-mask-persistent-car-shortfall-as-cn-contract-clock-ticks-down/

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