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A CoBank report says the U.S. barge fleet has shrunk nearly 8% over the past decade, with average vessel age rising to 17.6 years. More barges are being retired each year than replaced.
Low Mississippi River water levels and rising construction costs add pressure on the inland waterway system.
Tighter barge availability can raise freight rates and weaken grain basis paid to farmers, and the Mississippi carries roughly half of U.S. corn and soybean exports. Higher logistics costs could pressure export competitiveness and weaken domestic grain prices over time.
740thefan.comRusty HalvorsonNov 12, 2026Not enough comparable past events yet for a historical read.
After 359 past bearish logistics events, Corn moved a median -0.3% over 5 sessions (44% higher; middle half -1.5% to +1.5%), and -0.5% over 20.
After 297 past bearish logistics events, Soybeans moved a median +0.3% over 5 sessions (54% higher; middle half -1.5% to +1.8%), and +0.7% over 20.
Moves of each commodity's benchmark from the last close before the event. Historical reads pool past events of the same kind; they describe what happened, not what will. Not investment advice.
