# Baltic Index Slips As Capesize, Panamax Demand Wanes

> The Baltic index slipped 2% to 1,516 points on Thursday as capesize and panamax demand weakened. Clarksons Platou said Brazilian soybean exports are winding down while US exports should rise, but Chinese purchases of US soybeans have fallen due to tariffs, cutting panamax demand.

- Date: 2018-10-25 · published 2018-10-25T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: trade · region Global · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/62727-baltic-index-slips-as-capesize-panamax-demand-wanes
- Commodities: [Ocean Grain Freight](https://feedsoft.ai/c/OCEANFRT.md), [Soybeans](https://feedsoft.ai/c/SOY.md)

## Why it matters

Reduced Chinese demand for US soybeans lowers panamax demand and freight rates, signalling weaker ocean freight costs for grain shipments and softer export economics.

## Read by commodity

- SOY: bearish ▼
- OCEANFRT: bearish ▼

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| SOY | 2019-11-06 | [Panamax rates slide as trade war bites into US soybean exports to China](https://feedsoft.ai/events/56287-panamax-rates-slide-as-trade-war-bites-into-us-soybean-exports-to-china.md) | -1.7% | -4.7% |
| SOY | 2018-11-02 | [As China soy demand wavers, U.S. farmers turn back to grains](https://feedsoft.ai/events/62089-as-china-soy-demand-wavers-u-s-farmers-turn-back-to-grains.md) | -0.2% | +3.0% |
| SOY | 2025-01-28 | [Panamax Pain as China's Grain Imports Plunge 51%](https://feedsoft.ai/events/26705-panamax-pain-as-china-s-grain-imports-plunge-51.md) | +1.3% | -1.3% |
| SOY | 2024-01-30 | [China Witnesses Decline in Soyoil and Meal Futures Amidst Demand Slowdown](https://feedsoft.ai/events/6840-china-witnesses-decline-in-soyoil-and-meal-futures-amidst-demand-slowdown.md) | +0.2% | -5.3% |
| SOY | 2025-10-09 | [Drewry - Maritime Research Opinions - China’s halt on US soybean purchases threatens Panamax demand](https://feedsoft.ai/events/22600-drewry-maritime-research-opinions-china-s-halt-on-us-soybean-purchases.md) | -2.2% | +8.8% |

## Sources

- marinelink.com: https://www.marinelink.com/news/baltic-index-slips-capesize-panamax-443068

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