# Grain Journal | Bulk Ocean Freight Rates Begin Lower in 2020

> Ocean freight rates for shipping bulk grain fell in the first week of January 2020, according to the USDA Grain Transportation Report. The U.S. Gulf to Japan rate was $45.75 per mt, down 2% week on week and 3% year on year, while the Pacific Northwest to Japan rate was $25 per mt, unchanged year on year. Only 29 grain vessels loaded in the week ending January 2.

- Date: 2020-01-09 · published 2020-01-09T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: logistics · region US · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/55281-grain-journal-bulk-ocean-freight-rates-begin-lower-in-2020
- Commodities: [Ocean Grain Freight](https://feedsoft.ai/c/OCEANFRT.md)

## Why it matters

Lower ocean freight cuts the delivered cost of U.S. grain and oilseed exports, which can soften export basis and FOB prices. The seasonal holiday lull is the main driver, so the decline is unlikely to persist.

## Read by commodity

- OCEANFRT: bearish ▼

## Sources

- grainjournal.com: https://www.grainjournal.com/article/187670/bulk-ocean-freight-rates-begin-lower-in-2020

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