Freight & Bunkers News

Dec 20 - China's Nov soy imports from Brazil falls 25% y/y, US arrivals jump
China's soybean imports from Brazil shrank 25% in November from a year earlier, while shipments from the United States rose as buyers concerned about rising trade tensions between Washington and Beijing raced to secure supplies. The world's largest soybean buyer received 2.79 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans in the month, compared to 2.29 million tons a year ago, according to the General Administration of Customs data.

Dec 20 - Tunisia buys 100,000 T soft wheat, 100,000 T durum, traders say
Tunisia's state grains agency is believed to have purchased about 100,000 metric tons of soft wheat and about 100,000 tons of durum in an international tender for the same volume on Thursday, European traders said. The soft wheat was believed to have been bought at the lowest price of $255.39 a ton cost and freight included for 25,000 tons from trading house Viterra, traders said.

Dec 19 - Amazon workers strike at seven US facilities ahead of Christmas rush (Reuters)
- Amazon.com workers at seven U.S. facilities walked off the job early on Thursday during the holiday shopping rush, aiming to pressure the retailer into contract talks with their union.
Warehouse workers in cities including New York, Atlanta and San Francisco are taking part in the "largest" strike against Amazon, said the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents about 10,000 workers at 10 of the firm's facilities

Dec 19 - French wheat export forecast cut to lowest in decades
Farm office France AgriMer on Wednesday slashed its forecast for French soft wheat exports outside the European Union this season to the lowest since the start of the century, reflecting a dearth of demand from North Africa and China. A poor harvest, with the lowest volumes since the 1980s and mixed grain quality, had been widely expected to squeeze French wheat exports in 2024/25, but they have been further stifled by stiff competition from Russia and a lull in Chinese imports.

Dec 19 - Ukraine exported 6.0 mln metric tons of grain via Romania's Constanta in Jan-Nov
Ukraine's grain exports through the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta in the first 11 months were down by 54% from a year earlier to 6.0 million metric tons, the port authority said. The drop reflects Kyiv's reliance on its own ports despite Russian attacks on shipping and infrastructure though Constanta remains Ukraine's main alternative export route for grains since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Dec 18 - NITRO Shipping Weekly Freight Report for Grains

AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The Azov Sea market is quite weak this week, with several vessels seeking employment. There are only a few cargo opportunities available, prompting owners to be open to negotiating freight rates. Inclement weather conditions are affecting both the Black and Azov seas. Market participants do not anticipate any strengthening of the market until after the New Year holidays.

BALTIC SEA: The Baltic sea market is still pretty firm with a number of cargo orders on the market.

FAR EAST: The market has remained stable, with minor fluctuations this week.

CASPIAN SEA: The Caspian basin market is still in tension. The reduction in traffic volumes has led to another reduction in freight rates, especially in the direction of Iran. Bad weather conditions make it difficult to work in the region. This week, strong winds and ice conditions in the Caspian Sea have significantly complicated navigation. In this regard, the port administration was forced to introduce icebreaking assistance. Against the background of general instability, barley supplies from Kazakhstan stand out as a positive trend. Despite the general decline in the region, the situation with grain exports remains stable. There is congestion at the northern terminals of the Aktau port, which indicates high demand. The average waiting time is 7-10 days.

Dec 18 - Ukrainian Weekly Commodity Market (SPIKE BROKERS)

Traded freight
Railway logistics (eurohopper):
Dorohusk, Poland - Mon-Sun Germany (Jan-Feb 2025) @35.60€

- AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS
During the first half of December, the volume of agricultural exports by road almost corresponded to the indicator of November and amounted to 180 thousand tons. During the corresponding period, at the Polish and Hungarian borders, there was an increase in the volume of road transport by 10% and 14.5% - up to 74.28 thousand tons and 22.11 thousand tons, respectively.
At other borders, a decrease in agricultural production is recorded. The largest drop was observed at the Romanian and Moldovan borders, where exports of agricultural products decreased by 12.7% and 10.5% - to 45.47 thousand tons and 26.68 thousand tons, respectively. In the Slovak direction, the decline was not so significant - by 4.6%, to 11.46 thousand tons.
The leaders of exports in the first half of December were sunflower oil (20.6 thousand tons), and poultry meat (12 thousand tons).
Prices for road transport within the country decreased by an average of $ 2 compared to last week, the rates on European routes retain their level.

Market rates for transporting tents to Europe:
· Ternopil region - center. / Mon. Italy @87-117€
· Ternopil region - center. Bulgaria @78-86€
· Cherkasy region. - Pd. Romania @73-80€

- RAILWAY LOGISTICS
From February 1, 2025, Ukrzaliznytsia will index tariffs for freight transportation by 37%. The change will apply to all classes of goods and is associated with the need to ensure stable operation of the railway infrastructure, financing repairs and maintaining operational efficiency. For the agricultural sector, the impact on logistics costs will be moderate: an increase in the transport component in the value of grain cargoes is projected at about 1.4%.
The cost of railway transportation on domestic routes has been reduced by 1$ compared to the previous period.
Rates of railway freight from Chop in the direction of Eastern Italy for the period of transportation to May fluctuate between 40-42€ per ton. The first indications for the new 2025 harvest in the Italian direction are 5€ higher than the current one.
Rates of European freight from Dorohusk to Northern Germany were traded at 35-38€ per ton.
Agricultural producers in Ukraine began to record sales of new rapeseed crop in the direction of Germany and soybeans — on the Italian market.

- WATER LOGISTICS
The decrease in grain export rates by sea has adversely affected freight rates in some areas. The cost for coasters from the ports of the Danube to eastern Italy decreased by 1$/t. The rates for handicaps from the ports of Big Odessa in the same direction - to Italy - decreased on average by 2$/t.

Dec 18 - India plans up to 25% temporary tax to curb cheap Chinese steel imports
India is likely to impose a "safeguard duty" or temporary tax of up to 25% on steel imports, industry and government sources said, to help to curb cheap imports from top producer China. The proposal gained broad support at a meeting chaired by commerce minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday after small industries dropped initial opposition once they received assurances that they would not be hit by higher steel prices.

Dec 18 - South Korea’s FLC buys about 66,000 T corn, traders say
South Korea's Feed Leaders Committee (FLC) purchased about 66,000 metric tons of animal feed corn to be sourced from optional origins in an international tender on Tuesday, European traders said. The corn was purchased at an estimated $235.99 a ton cost and freight included plus a $1.50 a ton surcharge for additional port unloading, they said.

Dec 17 - Weekly Ocean rates - Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) increased 10% to $4,301/FEU.
- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) increased 13% to $5,814/FEU.
- Asia-N. Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) decreased 5% to $5,051/FEU.
- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) fell 2% to $5,761/FEU.

Asia - Europe/Mediterranean container rates ticked down slightly last week, though mid-month GRIs will attempt to push rates up soon. But current rates of more than $5,000/FEU remain very elevated. Prices are 12-18% higher than at the end of November and more than 40% higher than in October due to the Red Sea diversion-driven early start to pre-Lunar New Year demand this year. This volume increase is combining with some bad weather in the Far East to cause congestion at some container hubs in Japan and China.

Transpacific rates rebounded by more than 10% last week and GRIs are expected on this lane as well. Even with last week’s gains though, prices remain lower than at the end of November. But relative to Asia - Europe, transpacific rates have shown more buoyancy since the end of peak season due to frontloading ahead of a possible ILA strike on January 15th and expected tariff increases with the incoming Trump administration.

The pull forward for the strike is likely exhausted by now as the pre-January 15th arrival window has closed. But President-elect Trump’s recent explicit backing of the ILA and its opposition to even semi-automation introductions at these ports may make a strike, or at least a prolonged one, much less likely to happen. Anticipation of tariff hikes next year is likely still driving some unseasonal volume strength, also reflected in reports of a shortage in reefer containers.
You can check out our full 2025 Ocean Preview here.

Dec 17 - Weekly Air rates - Freightos Air index

- China - N. America weekly prices increased 8% to $7.30/kg.
- China - N. Europe weekly prices dipped 5% to $3.51/kg.
- N. Europe - N. America weekly prices fell 4% to $3.03/kg.

In air cargo, IATA reports global capacity reached a record high this year. But with record volume strength so far this year – primarily driven by surging B2C e-commerce volumes – it also projects that constraints on capacity growth could cap volume growth next year.

This new source of demand has kept capacity out of China tight and export rates at peak season levels throughout the year for these lanes. Recent shifts of capacity from lower-volume trades like the transatlantic to the transpacific to accommodate peak season demand – as well as increase in shippers routing more ex-Asia, North America-bound volumes through Europe – have led to rate hikes on these routes as well.

Freightos Air Index transatlantic rates of $3.03/kg last week were 88% higher than at the end of September. But volume growth projections for next year are mostly based on expectations of continued e-commerce volume growth. Some stakeholders think growing opposition to this flood of low cost goods exports from China – including a recent proposal from the EU – could curb this growth rate or even see this segment contract.

Dec 17 - Syria's ports working normally as Ukraine looks to supply staple foods
Syria's main ports are working normally after days of disruptions, maritime officials said on Monday, and Ukraine said it was in touch with the interim government about delivering staple foods. President Bashar al-Assad was ousted on Dec. 8 by insurgent forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Dec 17 - Mosel river in Germany partially reopens to shipping, sailings limited
The Mosel in west Germany was partially reopened to cargo shipping on Monday after a temporary lock was installed over the weekend, but the number of vessels able to sail will be limited, navigation authorities said. The river, an important transit route for grains and rapeseed between Germany and France, was closed to inland waterways shipping last week after an accident which damaged a lock at Mueden south of Koblenz and repairs are likely to last until spring 2025.

Dec 16 - Ukrainian grain transit through the port of Constanta decreased by 52% in 2024 (APK-Inform )

Romanian port of Constanta at the end of the first ten months of 2024 reduced the transshipment of transit cargoes of Ukrainian grain by 52% against the indicator of the same period last year - to 5.66 mln tonnes against 11.7 mln tonnes last year, reports Mind.

As noted, Constanta began to lose cargo traffic of Ukrainian grain a few months after the opening of the Ukrainian Sea Corridor, when the shipping traffic to the ports of Great Odessa stabilized. The drop became noticeable in the first quarter of 2024, when the volumes “sagged” by a third - to 2.16 mln tonnes. According to the results of the first half of the year, the trend intensified - the indicator decreased by 43.5% to 4.24 mln tonnes.

The transit flow decreased especially significantly in the second quarter - down to 930 thousand tonnes.

Dec 16 - Russian grain exports to Syria suspended due to uncertainty
Russian wheat supplies to Syria have been suspended because of uncertainty about the new government and payment delays, Russian and Syrian sources said on Friday, while two vessels carrying Russian wheat for Syria did not reach their destinations. Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, was a staunch supporter of Bashar al-Assad and supplied wheat to Syria through complex financial and logistical arrangements, circumventing Western sanctions imposed on both Syria and Russia.

Dec 16 - Brazil's robusta coffee state expects to repeat large exports in 2025
Brazil's top robusta coffee producer, the state of Espirito Santo, expects to repeat in 2025 the large export volume it achieved this year, when the country became an alternative for supplies from Vietnam, the world's largest robusta grower. Espirito Santo state accounted for 6.6 million bags of the total Brazilian robusta exports of 8.7 million bags from January to November, according to the Coffee Commerce Center of Vitoria, the industry group gathering market participants in the state.

Dec 13 - Russia bans sunflower, corn seeds imports from four countries
The Russian agricultural watchdog has banned imports of sunflower and corn seeds from companies in Chile, France, Hungary, and Turkey, it said on Thursday, in line with Moscow's policy to reduce dependency on seed imports. Over the last decade, Russia has become a major agriculture exporter and is striving to become a global agricultural superpower.

Dec 13 - Export demand may push Ukraine wheat prices up in Dec-Jan, producers say
The volume of wheat export contracts from Ukraine in December totals 1.1 million metric tons and high demand from exporters may increase prices by $20 to $25 per ton in December-January, major Ukrainian agricultural producers' union UAC said. The union said late on Wednesday traders had exported 136,000 tons of Ukrainian-origin wheat in the first nine days of December.

Dec 12 - Ukrainian Weekly Freight Report (SPIKE BROKERS)

- AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS
During the first 9 days of December, the volume of agricultural exports by road from Ukraine, compared to the same period in November, decreased by 4.6% - to 100.48 thousand tons. The largest changes in the flow of freight traffic occurred at the Romanian border, where the export of agricultural products decreased by 24.4% - to 26.1 thousand tons. Also, the decline was observed in the Moldovan direction: the volume of road transport decreased by 6.8% - to 14.78 thousand tons.
At the same time, the Polish and Hungarian borders recorded an increase in the volume of road transport by 10.4% and 7.4% - up to 41.07 thousand tons and 11.8 thousand tons, respectively. On the Slovak border, the flows of agricultural exports remained virtually unchanged and amounted to 6.71 thousand tons.
The largest export rate fell on sunflower oil - 10.52 thousand tons, as well as poultry meat - 7.12 thousand tons.
Prices for transportation in the direction of European countries remain stable, while the cost of domestic road transport decreased by 2-3$ compared to the previous period.

Market rates for transporting tents to Europe:
· Ternopil region - center. / Mon. Italy @87-117€
· Ternopil region - center. Bulgaria @78-86€
· Cherkasy region. - Pd. Romania @73-80€

- RAILWAY LOGISTICS
As of 09.12, the market of railway transportation of grain showed mixed tendencies: reduction of carriage transmission through most border crossings, while increasing traffic towards the ports of Big Odessa and reducing the accumulation of wagons in ports.
At the Polish and Hungarian borders, the carriages were reduced by 19.04% and 9.33% to 37 weights/day and 51.01 weights/day, respectively. At the Romanian border, this figure decreased by as much as 66.9% — to 3.75 scales/day. Such a significant reduction was the result of investigative actions of law enforcement agencies that partially blocked grain exports through this direction. At the same time, at the Slovak border, the rate of carriage transfer increased by 5.92% - up to 50.25 weights/day. The total average daily transfer of wagons across all borders decreased by 6.58% - up to 213 weights / day.
The number of wagons heading towards the ports of Greater Odessa increased by 8.9% - up to 7,822 units. The average daily rate of unloading wagons decreased by 1.4% - up to 1,193 weights / day. The accumulation of wagons in the port of Izmail decreased by 22.17% - to 618 units. The average daily discharge index decreased by 27.91% - up to 62 weights/day.
The rates for transportation of grain cargoes during the last week remain unchanged.

- WATER LOGISTICS
At the end of the year, there is usually an increase in demand for sea transportation, which leads to higher prices. However, the introduction of new export rules from 01.12 creates uncertainty and affects the usual market trends.
Freight rates for the hendisayzov from the ports of Big Odessa to the east coast of Italy and Spain on average decreased by 1$. Rates for barges and coasters for transportation from the ports of the Danube remain stable.

Dec 12 - NITRO Shipping Weekly Freight Report for Grains

AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The Azov sea market is weak. Owners are looking for right employment in advance trying to secure present freight levels for later dates. Traditionally, vessel owners prefer long leg voyages (East Med) for the vessels opening during the 3rd decade of December to avoid opening during long Russian holidays. Market players expect to see the amount of export duty for January to plan shipment accordingly.

BALTIC SEA: The Baltic sea market remains active. A lot of cargoes on the Baltic and Continent on the market are looking for right vessels and charterers have to pay up a bit to secure tonnage.

CASPIAN SEA: The Caspian Basin market is facing significant challenges due to a drop in spot market activity driven by new documentation requirements for export cargo ex Astrakhan, a rising ruble exchange rate, and Iranian buyers' hesitance to finalize contracts amid expectations of falling Russian grain prices.

FAR EAST: The market has remained stable this week.

Dec 12 - Jordan buys about 60,000 T feed barley in tender, traders say
Jordan's state grain buyer bought about 60,000 metric tons of animal feed barley in an international tender on Wednesday, European traders said. It was said to have been bought from trading house Viterra at an estimated $249.99 a ton cost and freight  included for shipment in the second half of January 2025.

Dec 12 - Group in Thailand bought around 63,000 T feed wheat, traders say
An animal feed importer group in Thailand is believed to have purchased around 63,000 metric tons of animal feed wheat in a tender which closed on Wednesday seeking up to 120,000 tons, European traders said. Price was estimated at around $256 a ton cost and freight liner out with the wheat expected to be sourced from South America.

Dec 11 - Introduction of new export regulations in Ukraine creates uncertainty in the maritime transportation market (APK-Inform)

Towards the end of the year, there is usually an increase in demand for sea transportation, which leads to higher prices. However, the introduction of new export regulations in Ukraine from December 1 creates uncertainty and affects the usual market trends. This was stated by experts of Spike Brokers.
“Freight rates for handysize from Great Odessa ports to the east coast of Italy and Spain for last week on average decreased by $1. Rates for barges and costers for transportation from Danube ports remain stable,” - is indicated in the message.

As specified, as of December 11, market rates of transportation from the port of Izmail were as follows:
- Romania - 9-10 EUR (1-3 thousand tonnes);
- East coast of Italy - $30-31 (5-7 thousand tonnes).

Dec 11 - Russian wheat Egypt bought in September finally on way

A first shipment of 66,000 metric tons of Russian wheat out of the 430,000 that Egypt bought in September left the port of Novorossiisk on Tuesday after delays, an Egyptian source with direct knowledge of the matter said, confirming LSEG shipping data reported earlier by Reuters. Egypt's Ministry of Supply said in September that its General Authority for Supply Commodities had contracted 430,000 tons of Russian wheat for October shipment.

Dec 11 - EU 2024/25 soft wheat exports down 29% by Dec 8
Soft wheat exports from the European Union since the start of the 2024/25 season in July had reached 10.24 million metric tons by Dec. 8, down 29% from 14.41 million tons a year earlier, data published by the European Commission showed on Tuesday. EU barley exports totalled 2.03 million tons, down 43% from 3.11 million tons in the corresponding period of 2023/24.

Dec 10 - China Nov copper imports hit one-year highChina's November copper imports hit a one-year high, customs data showed, fueled by firm demand and lower inventories, as well as more shipments from Africa. Imports of unwrought copper and products stood at 528,000 tons last month, up 4.3% from October's imports, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

Dec 10 - China Nov iron ore imports drop on expectation of weak seasonal demand
China's iron ore imports in November fell 1.91% from October, customs data showed, as shipments slowed ahead of the slow season for steel demand when colder weather disrupts construction work in the country's north. The world's largest iron ore consumer imported 101.86 million metric tons of the steelmaking ingredient last month, data from the country's General Administration of Customs showed.

Dec 09 - Russia raises wheat export duty by nearly a third
Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, will raise its wheat export duty by almost 32%, the government said on Friday, as the country seeks to curb exports in the face of high inflation and potential supply crunch due to the poor state of winter crops. The duty has been climbing since mid-August from a level as low as 257 roubles to 4,871.5 roubles per ton, but so far has failed to hinder exports, which have been proceeding at a near record pace in recent months.

Dec 09 - Indonesia to import corn, raw sugar in 2025 for industrial use amid food self-reliance push
Indonesia will import 900,000 metric tons of food-grade corn and 3.4 million tons of raw sugar in 2025, senior minister overseeing food affairs Zulkifli Hasan said, adding that imports were only for industrial raw materials. The import announcement comes as Indonesia has set a target to reach food self-reliance in the next four years under the presidency of Prabowo Subianto, who took office in October.

Dec 06 - Dire Russian crop health and Ukraine export risks threaten Black Sea wheat: Braun
New contract lows in Chicago wheat futures this week are hardly indicative of global supply concerns, but traders might want to eye what's happening in the Black Sea region more closely. Winter grains in top wheat exporter Russia are in the worst-ever condition, and Ukraine’s current shipping capabilities could soon come under threat.

Dec 06 - Vietnam rice exports in Nov up 16.3% y/y, statistics office says
Vietnam exported 698,000 metric tons of rice in November, up 16.3% from the same month a year earlier, government data released showed. For the January-November period, the country exported 8.45 million tons of rice, up 10.6% from the previous year.

Dec 05 - Grains for gold: Indian export curbs drive boom in barter smuggling.
Guards on either side of a border checkpoint between India and Bangladesh scour vehicles and frisk passengers in a hunt for illicit consignments of gold and drugs, as well as food staples such as sugar, grain and even onions. "We caught smugglers in August who were transporting sugar concealed beneath a layer of sand in their vehicle," said an officer of India's Border Security Force in the northeastern city of Shillong, who sought anonymity.

Dec 05 - Ivory Coast cocoa exporters fear drop in supplies after poor weather.
Multinational cocoa exporters operating in Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer, fear a drop in supplies from farmers in the coming months after adverse weather hit crops, raising the prospect that some of them might default on contracts. So far this season, the volume of beans arriving at ports is up 34% on the same time in 2023-24

Dec 04 - NITRO Weekly Shipping Freight Report For Grains

- AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The Azov sea market continues this week's long lasting falling trend. Owners are eager to fix their prompt opening vessels and are ready to discuss rates. Not many cargoes circulated on the market, but were fixed with close owners.

- BALTIC SEA: High season on the Baltics. A lot of cargos on the market are waiting to be fixed. Owners are shooting high levels in a hope to get maximum out of the high season. Owners ask high 40's - 50 eur pmt fiost bss 3'k flax seeds (sf 56') from St.Petersburg to Ghent in prompt. High levels are expected to last at least several weeks onwards.

- FAR EAST: The market is stable. Exporters show low activity due to delays caused by the railway.

- CASPIAN SEA: The export market continues to face serious difficulties caused by a number of factors that aggravate the situation for exporters. One of the main factors is the increase in the export quota, which leads to a reduction in the volume of shipments. An equally important challenge for exporters has become the complication of the process of registration of cargo documents. Many shipowners are trying to fix vessels for consecutive voyages in the winter period, but from February 15, the decision to introduce a 0% quota for the export of corn and barley comes into force. This decision has raised concerns among exporters, as stopping or reducing the export of these crops threatens their work in future in the market. Given global competition, this measure seems risky, and few exporters are willing to face the uncertainty it brings. Kazakhstan also continues to successfully compete with Russia in barley exports, offering more competitive terms for Iranian buyers.

Dec 04 - Ukrainian Weekly Freight Report (SPIKE BROKERS)

- AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS
In November, exports of agricultural products from Ukraine by road decreased by 11.7% compared to October, amounting to 339.7 thousand tons. The largest reduction was recorded at the borders with Romania and Poland, where export volumes fell by 20.6% to 92.1 thousand tons and by 12.9% to 130.9 thousand tons, respectively. On the Slovak border, volumes decreased by 5.8% to 23 thousand tons, and on the Hungarian border - only by 1% to 38.2 thousand tons. At the same time, exports through the Moldovan border remained at the level of October - 55.6 thousand tons.
The main export goods in November were sunflower oil (47.2 thousand tons) and soybeans (24.5 thousand tons).
The domestic market of road transport in Ukraine remains stable. A number of factors, in particular, the constant level of fuel prices, contribute to the preservation of rates at the level of the previous period. At the same time, the increase in queues at the borders has led to an increase in tariffs for international transportation by an average of 1-2 euros depending on the direction.

Market rates for transporting tents to Europe:
· Ternopil region - center. / Mon. Italy @87-117€
· Ternopil region - center. Bulgaria @78-86€
· Cherkasy region. - Pd. Romania @73-80€

- RAILWAY LOGISTICS
On the western borders of Ukraine in November, a decrease in the average daily transfer of cars compared to October by 5.76% - up to 228 weights / day was recorded. The most significant reduction in the volume of transmission of cars was observed at the Romanian border, where the figure fell by 71.79% - up to 11.33 weights / day. At the Polish border also recorded a reduction in the transmission of the car by 1.74% - up to 45.7 weights / day. At the same time, Hungarian and Slovak borders increased their positions by 10.88% - to 56.26 weights/day and by 11.34% - to 38 scales/day, respectively.
Over the past week, the number of wagons heading to the deep-sea ports of Ukraine has decreased by 12.56%, amounting to 7,183 units. The average daily discharge rate decreased by 2.58% - up to 1210 weights / day. The accumulation of wagons with grain in the direction of the Izmail port decreased by 1.98% - to 794 units. At the same time, the average daily volume of unloading at the port itself increased by 24.64% - up to 86 weights/day.
The situation in the railway market of Ukraine is characterized by the surplus of wagons due to the general reduction in cargo traffic. Restrictions in the electricity supply of railway infrastructure caused by missile strikes on the power system further reduce the throughput to ports. The cost of transportation has been reduced compared to the previous period.

- WATER LOGISTICS
Freight rates for shipping by sea from the ports of the Danube and Bolshaya Odessa in general remained stable for a week. Only the shipping freight from deep-sea ports to the east coast of Spain decreased by 1$/t. Trade activity is gradually increasing, but the excessive amount of free tonnage in the market continues to create pressure on shipowne

Dec 04 - Ukraine oilseed exports fall in November, traders union says
Ukraine, the world's major producer and exporter of oilseeds and vegetable oils, cut exports of major oilseeds in November amid falling stocks and falling prices, data from the Ukrainian grain traders union UGA showed on Tuesday. The Ukrainian farm ministry does not usually report data on the country's oilseed and vegetable oil exports.

Dec 04 - EU 2024/25 soybean imports up 12% by Dec 1, rapeseed up 4%
European Union soybean imports so far in the 2024/25 season that started in July had reached 5.46 million metric tons by Dec. 1, up 12% from the 4.86 million tons a year earlier, data published by the European Commission showed on Tuesday. EU rapeseed imports in the same period totalled 2.49 million tons, up 4% from a year earlier, while soymeal imports were up 29% at 8.15 million tons.

Dec 03 - Weekly Ocean rates - Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) fell 4% to $4,905/FEU.
- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) climbed 13% to $6,095/FEU.
- Asia-North Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) were level at $4,491/FEU.
- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) rose 6% to $5,135/FEU.

Some frontloading ahead of a possible ILA port strike after January 15th and expectations of tariff increases next year have kept transpacific ocean rates elevated to start December, with rates to the West Coast – even before the Lunar New Year 2025 rush – already above their pre-LNY 2024 highs seen back in January at the start of the Red Sea crisis. Some carriers are reportedly introducing significant GRIs to try and push rates higher to start the month.
- But the arrival window to move shipments from Asia to the East Coast before the strike deadline is closing, a significant amount of inventories were already built up from frontloading ahead of the October strike, and there is likely still a runway of at least several months before tariffs go into effect. These factors may make early December rate increases difficult to sustain, though prices could increase later in the month or early in January ahead of Lunar New Year.
Asia - Europe rates were level last week but have started to climb so far this week, and daily prices to the Mediterranean are approaching the $6,000/FEU mark on December GRIs for a $1,000/FEU gain compared to the end of November.
- If these increases hold, they may reflect a combination of effective capacity management by carriers through an increase in blankings and an early start to pre-Lunar New Year demand. Ensuring necessary orders are moved before LNY is especially important for shippers to the Mediterranean who have the longest additional lead times due to continued Red Sea diversions and, if they miss that pre-holiday window, will face a long wait for new shipments to arrive.
- Carriers continue to announce adjustments to their services that will go into effect with the alliance reshuffle in February, with MSC adding more port pairs to its stand alone services, and the Gemini Cooperation already accepting bookings for its new hub and spoke model.

Dec 03 - Weekly Air rates - Freightos Air index

- China - N. America weekly prices decreased 4% to $6.62/kg.
- China - N. Europe weekly prices fell 10% to $3.63/kg.
- N. Europe - N. America weekly prices increased 2% to $2.81/kg.

Freightos Air Index data show that ex-China rates to N. America and Europe have still not spiked, even as we enter the key peak season weeks for early December. In addition to some shippers’ and forwarders’ frontloading and securing capacity in advance, another important reason for the relatively tame peak season despite still-surging e-commerce volumes is carriers’ significant shift of freighter capacity to ex-Asia lanes in time for Q4.
 
And with that capacity being moved from lower-volume lanes, prices on those trades are increasing. Transatlantic rates pushed past $2.80/kg last week, 33% higher than a year ago and its highest level since April 2023.

Dec 03 - Russian wheat export prices flat for the second week amid low demand
Russian wheat export prices remained flat for the second week in a row amid low demand and export restrictions in the Russian market, analysts said. Dmitry Rylko, head of the IKAR consultancy, said the price of Russian wheat with 12.5% protein, set for free-on-board (FOB) delivery in the second part of December, was $226 per metric ton at the end of last week, unchanged from the previous week.

Dec 03 - Egypt PM reviews wheat procurement amid GASC's absence
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly held a meeting on Monday to assess the country's wheat procurement efforts, without the participation of Egypt’s primary state grain buyer, a cabinet statement on Monday showed. Among the attendees, however, was Brigadier General Bahaa El-Ghannam, Executive Director of the Mostakbal Misr Agency for Sustainable Development, which has recently emerged as a player in Egypt’s wheat procurement landscape and was seen as “sidelining” the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC).

Dec 02 - Russia cuts wheat exports among measures to curb inflation
Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, cut its 2025 export quota by two-thirds, hiked wheat-export duties and abandoned import quotas for some staple foods on Friday as the government moved to curb inflation. The Eurasian Economic Union Council said Russia's export quotas for the second part of the export season from Feb. 15 to June 30, 2025, will be 11 million metric tons, down from 29 million tons in the same period this year.

Nov 29 - China's scrap copper imports set to slump over US trade worries, analysts say
China's imports of scrap copper are set to slump as some traders have suspended buying from the United States, the top supplier, due to worries about rising trade tensions under a Donald Trump presidency, analysts said. Trump, who takes office in January and has threatened tariffs of 60% on Chinese imports, on Monday pledged to impose "an additional 10% tariff" on imports from China, raising the prospect of retaliatory measures from Beijing.

Nov 29 - Turkey provisionally sells 150,000 T barley in export tender, traders say
Turkish state grain board TMO is believed to have provisionally sold an estimated 150,000 metric tons of barley in an export tender for the same volume on Thursday, European traders said. The sale depends on final approval in coming days. Tender volumes can be changed or cancelled completely.

Nov 28 - Brazil grain barge shipping returns as Amazonian drought subsides
Transportation of soybeans and corn on barges along the Brazilian Amazon's Tapajos River, which had been suspended in early October due to dry weather, resumed at 50% capacity this week, operators said on Wednesday. Shipping began again on that waterway, which receives grain cargos from Brazil's biggest farm state Mato Grosso and nearby areas, as rain raised river levels, said Amport, an association representing port terminals and cargo transshipment operators of the Amazon basin.

Nov 28 - Tunisia buys 100,000 T soft wheat, 100,000 T durum, traders say
Tunisia's state grains agency is believed to have purchased about 100,000 metric tons of soft wheat and about 100,000 tons of durum in an international tender for the same volume on Wednesday, European traders said. Traders said the soft wheat and durum were both bought in four 25,000 ton consignments from optional origins.

Nov 28 - Algeria bought 140,000 to 150,000 T wheat in 2 port tender, traders say
Algeria’s state grains agency OAIC is believed to have bought about 140,000 to 150,000 metric tons of milling wheat in an international tender on Tuesday which sought limited shipment to two ports only, European traders said on Wednesday. Traders had reported the purchase on Tuesday evening but not been able to give assessments of tons bought.

Nov 27 - NITRO Shipping Freight Report for Grains

AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The Azov sea market is getting weaker further. Traders say buying activity is low even though the usd / rub exchange rate is very attractive for export. Owners are looking for long leg voyages to the East Med region as the rates below usd 30 pmt fiost bss 3'k wheat ex Rostov to Marmara are not so attractive.

BALTIC SEA: The Baltic Sea market has strengthened considerably in recent weeks. Owners show eur 50 pmt fiost ex St.Petersburg to Ghent for 3’k flax seeds for prompt dates. Vessels are experiencing delays because of weather conditions, and charterers are actively selecting cargoes for COA as we approach the year's end.

CASPIAN SEA: The persistent market stress is causing a gradual decline in freight rates this week. Exporters are proceeding with caution, thoughtfully evaluating the current conditions rather than making hasty decisions.

FAR EAST: The market remained stable last week, with minor fluctuations

Nov 27 - Weekly Ocean rates - Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) fell 4% to $5,122/FEU.
- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) were level at $5,387/FEU.
- Asia-N. Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) decreased 2% to $4,491/FEU.
- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) increased 11% to $4,859/FEU.

- Late November is typically slow season for transpacific ocean freight. But through last week transpacific ocean rates remained level and elevated at more than $5,000/FEU since mid-October, with prices to the East Coast climbing past the $6,000/FEU so far this week.  This rate strength probably reflects some frontloading ahead of both a possible renewed ILA strike at East Coast and Gulf ports after January 15th and anticipation of Trump administration tariff increases next year.
- President-elect Trump threw some gas on the fire of shipper concerns over tariff hikes this week by announcing via social media, in response to illegal drugs and immigrants entering the US from Mexico and Canada, his intention to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from these countries on his first day in office in January. He also separately announced intention to impose a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports with no date specified.   
- In terms of Canada and Mexico, this announcement is an escalation of earlier Trump campaign statements that proposed 10% - 20% tariffs on all imports from all countries, is a significant development in terms of the intended timeline, and would break with the first Trump presidency’s USMCA trade agreement.
The trade acts that Trump relied upon for tariff introductions during his first administration stipulate processes that include initiations of inquiries, investigations by government offices like the US Trade Representative and periods of review, which can be expedited but are allotted up to a year. Trump’s paths to those previous tariff increases may make it unlikely that new tariffs will go into effect on January 20th, but this proclamation is certainly increasing the sense of urgency for shippers on these lanes.  
Just as transpacific shippers are already frontloading ahead of potential tariff changes next year, this statement will likely put pressure on importers from Canada and Mexico as well and could lead to increased cross-border volumes and road and rail rates ahead of the potential tariff roll outs.
- Authorities in Mexico are already rushing to increase container port and cross-border rail capacity to keep up with the rapid growth in trade with the US and the accompanied surge in imported components and goods from China to Mexico over the last few years.

- Just as the trade war with China since 2017 has led to some US importer diversification from China, these increases could slow the recent growth in Mexico-US trade. And in addition to higher volumes and transportation costs ahead of tariffs and lower demand just after, importers and ultimately consumers will likely face higher costs from the tariffs, especially for the top Mexico and Canada exports like vehicles, auto parts – which often go back and forth cross-border several times – and possibly fuel as Canada is the largest exporter of crude oil to the US.
- In the meantime though, despite the ocean volume strength of the last few months to hubs like LA/Long Beach, congestion remains minimal.  In Canada, recent lockouts of port labor on both coasts resulted in some backlogs that will take another couple weeks to resolve completely.  Those disruptions were ended by government order, and the sides have agreed to enter mediation rather than government-ordered arbitration. But the unions have submitted a challenge to the legality of the back to work order, which will be heard by the Industrial Relations Board in December.
- Asia - Europe ocean rates increased 30% on early November GRIs and have remained at about that level since then despite some attempted mid-month increases. Asia - Mediterranean prices did climb more than 10% in the last few days, and there are more reports of some rebound in demand possibly from an early start to the pre-Lunar New Year rush. Nonetheless, there is still a lot of skepticism that December GRIs aiming to push rates past $6,000/FEU will stick even with recent increases in blanked sailings and an early LNY. Some carriers have warned shippers on these lanes that prices will increase next year as new EU emissions regulations go into effect.

Nov 27 - Weekly Air rates - Freightos Air index

- China - N. America weekly prices decreased 1% to $6.92/kg.
- China - N. Europe weekly prices stayed level at $4.02/kg.
- N. Europe - N. America weekly prices increased 6% to $2.75/kg.

- In air cargo, despite anticipation that this year’s peak season would be chaotic – as B2C e-commerce volumes have kept capacity tight and rates elevated throughout the year – ex-China prices have still not spiked and carriers report being busy but not overwhelmed even as December approaches. Capacity additions to these lanes and shippers who adjusted and planned ahead may prove to be enough to prevent extreme rate climbs and congestion through the end of the year.

Nov 27 - Algeria bought wheat in tender for shipment to 2 ports, traders say
Algeria’s state grains agency OAIC is believed to have bought milling wheat in an international tender on Tuesday which sought limited shipment to two ports only, European traders said. Initial estimates of purchase price were around $267 a metric ton cost and freight included, they said.

Nov 27 - Jordan buys estimated 60,000 T wheat in tender, traders say
Jordan's state grains buyer purchased about 60,000 metric tons of hard milling wheat to be sourced from optional origins in an international tender on Tuesday, traders said. It was believed to have been bought from trading house Cargill at an estimated $268.90 a ton cost and freight included for shipment in the second half of January 2025, they said.

Nov 26 - China sucks up seaborne thermal coal, but domestic output caps prices: RussellChina's seaborne imports of thermal coal are on track to surge to an all-time high in November as the world's biggest buyer of the power station fuel ramps up electricity generation. But the strong appetite for imports isn't driving up the prices of seaborne grades, which are being kept low by falling prices for China's domestic supplies.

Nov 26 - Russian wheat export prices flat last week, shipments fell
Russian wheat export prices remained flat last week, while shipments declined amid low demand and competition from other suppliers, analysts said. Dmitry Rylko, head of the IKAR consultancy, said that the price of Russian wheat with 12.5% protein, set for free-on-board delivery in December, was $226 per metric ton at the end of last week, unchanged from the previous week.

Nov 25 - Algeria issues tender to buy soft wheat for shipment to two ports only – traders
Algeria's state grains agency OAIC has issued an international tender to buy soft milling wheat for shipment to two ports only, European traders said on Sunday. The tender sought a nominal 50,000 metric tons but the shipment to two ports generally indicates a small purchase is planned, traders said.

Nov 25 - US bars more food, metal imports over China's alleged forced labor
The United States banned food, metals and other imports from about 30 more Chinese companies over alleged forced labor involving the Uyghurs, according to a government notice posted online on Friday. The new restrictions, covering a range of products from tomato paste and walnuts to gold and iron ore, are part of the federal government's effort to prevent goods made with forced labor from entering the United States, the Federal Register posting said.

Nov 22 - South Korea’s MFG buys up to 70,000 T corn in private deal, traders say
South Korea's Major Feedmill Group (MFG) purchased an estimated 65,000 to 70,000 metric tons of animal feed corn in a private deal on Thursday without issuing an international tender, European traders said. The purchase was expected to be sourced optionally from the United States or South America.

Nov 22 - South Korea's NOFI bought about 66,000 T corn in private deal, traders say
South Korean feedmaker Nonghyup Feed Inc. (NOFI) purchased up to 66,000 metric tons of animal feed corn in a private deal on Wednesday without an international tender being issued, European traders said on Thursday. It was expected to be sourced from either the United States or South America.

Nov 21 - Algeria buys durum wheat after talks on Wednesday, traders say
Algeria’s state grains agency OAIC is believed to have purchased a small additional volume of durum wheat in negotiations in an international tender which continued on Wednesday, European traders said. The tender had closed on Tuesday with some initial purchases reported.

Nov 21 - Algeria bought South American corn in tender, volume unclear, traders say
Algerian state agency ONAB is believed to have bought an unknown volume of animal feed corn to be sourced from Argentina or Brazil in an international tender for up to 240,000 tons which closed on Tuesday, European traders said on Wednesday. Some traders said at least one consignment of up to 40,000 tons was bought.

Nov 20 - NITRO Shipping Weekly Freight Report for Grains

- AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The Azov Sea market is experiencing a further decline in activity. Some traders are eager to get to mid-high 20's usd pmt fiost bss 3'k wheat ex Rostov to Marmara. Anticipated strong winds in the Azov and Black Sea regions at the end of this week could result in delays for vessels.

- BALTIC SEA: As the weather is getting worse in the region, the market started to firm up. Vessels are delayed and charterers are forced to pay up to get owners' interest. Traders plan their shipments to deliver before Christmas so the freight market is reacting accordingly with rates firming up.

- CASPIAN SEA: The current market conditions reflect significant stress, largely due to a considerable decline in river cargo availability, despite extended commercial navigation announced by authorities. Furthermore, reports from Iranian buyers suggest a lack of upward price movement for goods, which complicates the negotiation and signing of new contracts this week, intensifying the downward pressure on freight rates amidst the already stressed market conditions.

- FAR EAST: The market remains stable as a result of constrained supply due to limited shipments and a shortage of available vessels. This scenario is driving up demand and pushing freight rates higher.

Nov 20 - Ukrainian Weekly Freight Report (SPIKE BROKERS)

- AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS
During the first 18 days of November, 202.7 thousand tons of agricultural products were exported by road transport, which is 10% less compared to October. There is a decrease in export volumes at most borders. Thus, in the Romanian and Polish directions, exports decreased by 15.7% and 13.5%, respectively, to 57.2 thousand tons and 75.9 thousand tons. A decrease in the Slovak and Hungarian borders is less significant — 8.7% and 5%, which amounted to 13.5 thousand tons and 22 thousand tons. However, there is a positive dynamics on the Moldovan border — exports increased by 15%, reaching 34.2 thousand tons compared to October.
Among the main exported goods are sunflower oil (29.9 thousand tons) and soybeans (17.9 thousand tons).
Absence of queues at border crossings and stability of fuel prices allow to keep the cost of transportation by road at the level of the previous week.

Market rates for transporting tents to Europe:
· Ternopil region - center. / Mon. Italy @90-120€
· Ternopil region - center. Bulgaria @80-87€
· Cherkasy region. - Pd. Romania @72-83€

- RAILWAY LOGISTICS
As of 18.11 on the western borders of Ukraine there is a decrease in the average daily transfer of cars, which is 237 weights / day. At the same time, at the Slovak border, the indicators show an increase — the average daily carriages transmission reached 39.12 units, which is 14.63% more compared to October. A similar trend is observed at the Polish and Hungarian borders, where the average daily rates have increased to 49.06 and 52.29 weights. respectively. At the same time, the Romanian border recorded a record drop in transmission — by 50.92%, to 19.72 scales/day.
In the ports of Odessa the average daily unloading of wagons decreased by 1.95%, to 1308 units. At the same time, the number of wagons heading towards deep-sea ports remained stable at 7084 units as of 17.11.
In the port of Izmail, there is a positive dynamics: the volume of accumulated cars decreased by 15.18%, to 849 units, and the average daily discharge rate increased by 27.59%, to 74 wagons per day.
The reduction of shipments to the ports contributed to the correction of the upper limit of the cost of domestic rail transportation, which decreased by 1-2$ depending on the direction.

- WATER LOGISTICS
There is a decrease in freight rates in the water transport market, which is due to the low activity of the main players and the lack of spot orders. Falling rates covered all segments, with the exception of barges, which creates new opportunities for shipowners.
In particular, freight rates from the Black Sea ports in the direction of Egypt, the eastern coast of Italy and Spain decreased by 1-2$. Tariffs for transportation from Izmail ports were also reduced: by 2$ towards the east coast of Italy and by 1$ to Turkey.
At the same time, tariffs on barges remain stable, keeping low, which ensures the competitiveness of this type of transport.

Nov 20 - EU 2024/25 soft wheat exports down 31% by Nov 17
Soft wheat exports from the European Union since the start of the 2024/25 season in July had reached 8.79 million metric tons by Nov. 17, down 31% from 12.66 million a year earlier, data published by the European Commission showed on Tuesday. EU barley exports totalled 1.83 million tons, down 37% from 2.91 million tons in the corresponding period in 2023/24.

Nov 20 - EU 2024/25 soybean imports up 9% by Nov 17, rapeseed up 16%
European Union soybean imports so far in the 2024/25 season that started in July had reached 4.75 million metric tons by Nov. 17, up 9% compared with 4.36 million tons a year earlier, data published by the European Commission showed on Tuesday. EU rapeseed imports in the same period totalled 2.34 million tons, up 16% from 2.02 million a year earlier, while soymeal imports reached 7.08 million tons, 23% above the 5.76 million imported by the same time the previous year.

Nov 19 - Weekly Ocean rates - Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) increased 3% to $5,345/FEU.
- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) fell 1% to $5,395/FEU.
- Asia-N. Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) increased 2% to $4,580/FEU.
- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) increased 2% to $4,387/FEU.

- Last week, Canada’s Labor Minister ended the separate labor disputes – one on each coast – that had resulted in lockouts at Canada’s major container ports. The Industrial Relations Board ordered operations to resume in Vancouver, Prince Rupert and Montreal, and sent operators and port worker unions to binding arbitration, with ports reopening late last week. The ILWU Local 514 in British Columbia has stated they will file legal challenges to these orders, though for now the disruptions on both coasts are over if not resolved.
Transpacific ocean rates have been stable for about a month now. Prices have eased significantly with the close of peak season pressure, with rates of about $5,400/FEU to both coasts 35% - 45% below peak levels in July.
- But when demand eased post the Lunar New Year rush back in April, rates fell back to $3,000/FEU to the West Coast and $4,300/FEU to the East Coast, marking the elevated rate floor – still about double 2019 levels – on this lane for the Red Sea-diversion era.
- Prices remaining significantly higher than in April may point to stronger than normal demand for this time of year due to shippers frontloading ahead of expected sharp tariff increases from the incoming US administration as well as a possible ILA strike at East Coast and Gulf ports after January 15th. And with Lunar New Year starting earlier than usual at the end of January this year, rates may face some additional pressure starting in late December or early January.
- The unusual parity of transpacific rates to both coasts may point to some shift of demand to the West Coast due to January strike concerns. The ILA and USMX held face to face negotiations for the first time since June last week, but talks quickly collapsed as the parties remain far apart on the role automation and semi-automation will be allowed to play at the ports, increasing concern that a new contract won’t be finalized before the January deadline.
- Asia - Europe ocean rates – which, without strike or tariff concerns, had fallen back to April levels by mid-October – increased by about 30% to start the month as carriers introduced GRIs, and so far those levels have stuck. And though some mid-month GRIs don’t seem to have taken yet, some carriers have also announced December increases aiming to push rates past the $6,000/FEU mark as an early start to the Lunar New Year rush may get underway.
- Carriers are particularly motivated to see prices increase on this lane as they enter tendering season for next year’s annual contracts with Asia - Europe BCOs. Carriers are also adjusting their port call rotations on this lane in preparation for the alliance reshuffles that will take effect in February.

Nov 19 - Weekly Air rates - Freightos Air index

- China - N. America weekly prices increased 28% to $7.01/kg.
- China - N. Europe weekly prices increased 5% to $4.03/kg.
- N. Europe - N. America weekly prices increased 9% to $2.60/kg.

- In air cargo, Middle East - N. America rates have climbed 22% in the last three weeks to $3.78/kg, a high for the year. This increase may reflect a peak season bump on this lane as Thanksgiving approaches, and that some shippers are opting for sea-air transport from the Far East instead of direct air shipments, possibly to avoid the higher rates and tight capacity out of China due to the e-commerce surge. Middle East - Europe rates have remained steady at $2.00/kg.
China - N. America rates have been at about $7.00/kg – a high for the year – since late October, for a 17% increase from the e-commerce volume-driven $6.00/kg level they’ve held for much of the year. And at $4.00/kg, China - Europe rates are just 6% higher than a month ago.

- Many were expecting rates on these lanes to have spiked, possibly to extreme highs, by now given the demand strength and strain on capacity seen even during the typical slow season this year. But carriers and forwarders report that though they remain very busy, they aren’t seeing peak conditions yet, and may not see much worse than current conditions as shippers planned and adjusted in advance to avoid peak season air cargo chaos.
- Transatlantic rates have increased about 45% since mid-October to $2.60/kg, a 45% gain compared to last year and their highest level since early 2023, reflecting a reduction in capacity as carriers introduced winter passenger schedules as well as some shift of freighter capacity to ex-Asia routes.

Nov 19 - Chinese exporters to hike prices, renegotiate contracts after tax rebate cuts, sources say
Chinese exporters of a wide range of products from aluminium goods to used cooking oil and solar power gear will raise prices and renegotiate contracts to pass on the cost of Beijing's tax incentive cuts, traders and analysts said. The world's second largest economy said on Friday that, from Dec. 1, it will reduce the export tax rebate rate for some refined oil products, photovoltaics, batteries and certain non-metallic mineral products from 13% to 9%.

Nov 19 - Value of Uganda's coffee exports jump 76% in October
The value of Uganda's coffee exports jumped 76.3% in October from a year ago, helped by a surge in global prices of the commodity, the state-run regulator said. Uganda shipped 496,820 60-kilogram bags of coffee in October, earning $139.05 million, the Ugandan Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) said in a report published late on Monday.

Nov 18 - China's Oct aluminium imports fall 8.7% y/y, customs data shows
China's imports of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products in October slid 8.7% year-on-year to 320,000 metric tons year-on-year, customs data showed. Imports for the first ten months of this year totalled 3.17 million tons, up 32.4% from a year earlier, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

Nov 18 - China to cut or cancel export tax rebates for products including aluminium
China's finance ministry said on Friday it would reduce or cancel export tax rebates for a wide range of commodities and other products, effective Dec. 1. The country will reduce the export tax rebate rate for some refined oil products, photovoltaics, batteries, and certain non-metallic mineral products from 13% to 9%.

Nov 15 - Russia's grain export quota expected to shrink by two-thirds in 2025
Russia's grain export quota, set to be in place from February to June next year, could be nearly three times smaller than the 29 million tons a year earlier, due to the high pace of exports in recent months and a worse-than-expected harvest, experts said. Russia allows grain exports quota-free from July to January, the first half of the export season, and then introduces quotas among some 260 domestic traders authorized by the authorities to sell grain in international markets.

Nov 15 - China producers rush to deliver surplus zinc to Shanghai exchange
Chinese zinc producers are rushing to send 30,000 to 40,000 metric tons of refined zinc to warehouses registered with the Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) ahead of November contract expiry on Friday, three sources with direct knowledge said. That tonnage will take zinc stocks in the ShFE system to between 56,524 to 66,524 tons and is likely to hit prices of the metal, used to protect steel from corrosion.

Nov 14 - FranceAgriMer cuts 2024/25 soft wheat export forecasts
Farm office FranceAgriMer on Wednesday cut its forecasts for French soft wheat exports within and outside the European Union for 2024/25, with total shipments now expected to plunge 40% after one of the country's worst harvests in 40 years. In a monthly supply and demand outlook, the office projected French soft wheat exports outside the EU at 3.9 million metric tons, down from 4.0 million expected last month and now 62% below last season's level.

Nov 14 - South Korea’s MFG buys 60,000 metric tons soymeal, traders say
South Korea’s Major Feedmill Group (MFG) purchased about 60,000 metric tons of soymeal in a private deal on Wednesday without an international tender being issued, European traders said. It was bought at an estimated $373.42 a ton cost and freight (c&f) including a surcharge for additional port unloading. Seller was believed to be trading house Olam.

Nov 13 - NITRO Shipping Weekly Freight Report for Grains

- AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The Azov sea market remains low. Turkish buyers push grain and grain products prices down forcing freight levels to go down. Usually for this time of the year weather delays and water fluctuations in the region.

- BALTIC SEA: The Baltic Sea region continues to be low.

- CASPIAN SEA: Despite the introduction of export duties, the market remains robust as Exporters fulfill existing contracts. There is growing anticipation of possible positive
changes in Iran, which could lead to the distribution of quotas among buyers and the announcement of new prices for the products.

- FAR EAST: The market is still weak. Shippers report delays in delivery by railway. Which makes an already difficult situation even worse.

Nov 13 - Weekly Ukrainian Freight Report (SPIKE BROKERS)

- AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS
During the first 11 days of November, the volume of agricultural exports by road from Ukraine amounted to 126.8 thousand tons, which is 3.76% less compared to the same period in October. There is a change in the direction of traffic flows through various border posts. The flow of goods across the Moldovan border increased by 13% — to 19.5 thousand tons. At the same time, the Slovak border was reduced to 8.1 thousand tons, which is 15.8% less than in the same period in October. On the Polish border, there is also a decrease in flows by 8% — to 45.6 thousand tons. The indicators of the Hungarian border decreased by 3.49% — to 13 thousand tons, as well as in Romanian — to 40.0 tons, which is 3% below the indicator of October.
The highest export rate was recorded for sunflower oil — 18.1 thousand tons, as well as for soybeans — 14.4 thousand tons.
The cost of transportation within the country has undergone a slight decrease compared to the previous period, while the price of international transportation remains stable.

Market rates for transporting tents to Europe:
· Ternopil region - center. / Mon. Italy @90-120€
· Ternopil region - center. Bulgaria @80-87€
· Cherkasy region. - Pd. Romania @72-83€

- RAILWAY LOGISTICS
As of 11.11, exports of agricultural products by rail have undergone some changes in comparison with October both in border directions and in cargo flows to ports.
The average daily rate of carriages transfer at the Hungarian and Polish borders increased to 54.2 and 48.7 carriages per day, which is 6.82% and 4.71% more than in October. On the Romanian border, a significant decrease was recorded — by 26.29%, to 29.6 cars per day. At the Slovak border, there is also a drop in indicators by 9.17%, to 31 cars per day. In general, the average daily carriages across all borders has remained relatively stable with minor fluctuations and amounts to 246 carriages per day.
The number of wagons heading towards the ports of Odessa increased by 16.85% — up to 7150 units. The average daily rate of unloading wagons decreased by 6.65% — to 1,334 wagons per day. The accumulation of wagons in the port of Izmail reached a record growth of 131% — up to 1,001 units compared to last week. The average daily discharge rate increased significantly, by 75.76%, to 58 wagons per day.
The increase in shipments towards the ports contributed to the increase in the cost of transportation within 1$ compared to last week.

- WATER LOGISTICS
The decline in November's exports of crops adversely affected freight rates, particularly for delivery through the Danube ports to Mediterranean regions such as Spain. At the same time, the cost of delivery in the direction of the port of Mersin increased by $ 2. Rates in the direction of the port of Constanta remain low. The cost of delivery of wheat from deep-sea ports to Spain has slightly increased — by 2$, and in the direction of Egypt and the eastern coast of Italy remained unchanged.

Nov 13 - Brazil likely to export record volume of soybean meal in 2024, says exporters group
Brazil's soybean meal exports in 2024 will probably set a new record, topping the best mark in history recorded in 2023, according to local grains traders lobby Anec. In 2023/24, Brazil should once again be the second global exporter of soybean meal, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), as it had taken the lead in 2022/23 after a crop failure in Argentina, traditionally the largest exporter.

Nov 13 - Ukraine's rolled steel output, exports rise so far in 2024, union says
Ukrainian steel makers have increased rolled steel production by 20.6% so far in 2024 and boosted exports by 53.5%, local steel producers' union Ukrmetprom said. The union said late on Monday that rolled steel output reached 5.3 million metric tons in January-October versus 4.4 million tons a year earlier, while exports rose to 3.7 million tons from 2.4 million.

Nov 12 - Weekly Ocean rates - Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) fell 4% to $5,208/FEU.
- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) climbed 5% to $5,468/FEU.
- Asia-N. Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) climbed 23% to $4,495/FEU.
- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) climbed 23% to $4,301/FEU.

A month ago, the National Retail Federation projected that post-peak season US ocean import volumes would continue to fall in Q4 with November’s volumes decreasing 10% month-on-month and a further dip expected in December.
- In the interim though, the ILA has set a January 15th deadline for a renewed East Coast and Gulf ports strike in the absence of a new contract, and a Trump victory has brought expectations for significant tariff increases next year. The NRF’s latest estimates –  with projections for November volumes adjusted up by 13% and even with October, and December projections increased by 6% – suggest that shippers have already started frontloading imports to get ahead of both these possible disruptions.
- This relative volume strength may explain why transpacific ocean rates which had fallen sharply in early October have been about level around the $5,000/FEU mark since then, stabilizing well above the $3,000 - $4,000/FEU floor for the year reached back in April when demand eased post the Lunar New Year rush. And with LNY starting at the end of January this year, rates may face some additional pressure starting in late December or early January.
Though there do not seem to be indications of frontloading on the transatlantic, at about $2,600/FEU rates have remained elevated compared to the $2,000/FEU level seen in September, and may reflect capacity reduction measures being taken by carriers.
- In Canada, port operators have locked out union workers at the Port of Montreal since Sunday night following the union's rejection of a recent wage increase proposal. The lockout has completely suspended container operations at the port marking another escalation in this ongoing dispute, and the port authority is now calling for government intervention.
- At the West Coast ports of Prince Rupert and Vancouver – Canada’s largest container port and the seventh largest in North America – the local ILWU chapter of 700 workers has been locked out for more than a week. Though the labor minister invoked a section of the country’s labor code to force the two sides to restart negotiations, talks ended quickly early this week increasing the likelihood that carriers will start diverting vessels to Seattle-Tacoma instead of waiting out the strike offshore.
- These disruptions in Canada are already being felt by importers and exporters that rely on those impacted ports. If the lockouts stretch on – especially at the larger hubs of Vancoucer and Prince Rupert – backlogs at those ports will grow, and diversions to Seattle-Tacoma could lead to delays and congestion there as well.
- Asia – Europe rates, which by late September had fallen back to their April-level floor, increased by about 20% to $4,500/FEU on early-month GRIs and so far have remained at that level. Maersk reports that, despite volumes typically declining in November, demand has rebounded recently supporting the rate increases, with congestion in Hamburg, bad weather causing delays in Rotterdam, and an increase in blanked sailings also working in favor of higher prices.  Demand will likely increase further – and earlier than usual due to longer sailings avoiding the Red Sea – ahead of Lunar New Year.

Nov 12 - Weekly Air rates - Freightos Air index

- China - N. America weekly prices decreased 18% to $5.48/kg.
- China - N. Europe weekly prices fell 3% to $3.84/kg.
- N. Europe - N. America weekly prices increased 7% to $2.39/kg.

Air cargo peak season typically begins in November. But while rates and volumes remain strong out of Asia, the much anticipated peak season spike in rates and difficulty in securing space – as e-commerce volumes have already been keeping space tight and rates elevated for much of the year – so far has not materialized.
Some forwarders think that the anticipation of this peak season chaos may have led to enough frontloading that this year’s peak will prove to be much tamer than anticipated.

Nov 12 - Brazil coffee exports hit record in October
Brazil exported 4.57 million 60-kg bags of green coffee in October, industry group Cecafe said on Monday, reaching the highest for any month on record. The shipments from Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer and exporter, rose 10.5% in October from a year earlier, according to Cecafe. The previous monthly record was set in November 2020, it added.

Nov 12 - Bangladesh issues another tender to buy 50,000 T wheat
Bangladesh's state grains buyer has issued an international tender to purchase 50,000 metric tons of milling wheat, European traders said on Monday. The deadline for the submission of price offers is Nov. 25, they said.

Nov 11 - South Korea's MFG bought around 65,000 metric tons feed wheat
South Korea's Major Feedmill Group (MFG) purchased about 65,000 metric tons of animal feed wheat in a private deal without issuing an international tender, European traders said. One consignment was purchased at an estimated $261.80 a ton c&f plus a $1.50 a tonne surcharge for additional port unloading.

Nov 11 - Indonesia may not import rice in 2025, says senior minister
Indonesia may not import rice in 2025, Zulkifli Hasan, a senior minister overseeing food affairs, said. Indonesia's rice output is estimated to fall 2.43% this year to 30.34 million metric tons, due to a delay in planting and the harvest season after dry weather in 2023, the statistics bureau said last month.

Nov 08 - U.S. farm producers brace for hit to exports to China in Trump administration
U.S. agriculture producers are bracing for the prospect of a fresh trade war under U.S. President-elect Donald Trump again hitting exports of farm goods to China, but they said while any new tariffs would hurt, they felt better prepared.  Several U.S growers of crops from almonds to soybeans are in China this week for the China International Import Expo (CIIE), an event aimed at encouraging import purchases, and to meet officials.

Nov 08 - South Korea’s NOFI buys 65,000 T corn, 63,000 T feed wheat
Leading South Korean animal feed maker Nonghyup Feed Inc (NOFI) bought an estimated 65,000 metric tons of animal feed corn and 63,000 tons of feed wheat in a tender on Thursday, European traders said. The corn was purchased at an estimated premium of 192 U.S. cents a bushel over the Chicago March 2025 corn contract cost and freight (c&f) included, plus a $1.50 a ton surcharge for additional port unloading.

Nov 07 - South Korea’s NOFI tenders for 138,000 T corn, 60,000 T wheat
South Korean feedmaker Nonghyup Feed Inc (NOFI) has issued an international tender to purchase up to 138,000 metric tons of animal feed corn and 60,000 tons of feed corn, European traders said. The deadline for submission of price offers in the tender is also Thursday, Nov. 7.

Nov 07 - Russia's grain policies help Ukraine secure sales
Russia's curbs on wheat exports have inadvertently helped Ukraine secure lucrative sales to Egypt this week while also inflating prices for the world's top importer, traders said. Egypt's state grains buyer GASC bought 290,000 metric tons of wheat in an international tender on Monday.

Nov 06 - Weekly Ocean rates - Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) fell 2% to $5,403/FEU.
- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) increased 1% to $5,219/FEU.
- Asia-North Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) climbed 5% to $3,655/FEU.
- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) increased 2% to $3,504/FEU.

- Trump’s victory in the US presidential election yesterday may start impacting the ocean freight market even before his January inauguration.
During the recent campaign Trump proposed applying across the board tariffs of 10% to 20% on most of the $3 trillion worth of annual US imports, and a minimum 60% tariff on all imports from China. In 2018, Trump’s announcement of tariff increases led to a significant pull forward of ocean imports as shippers rushed to bring in goods before the tariff increases went into effect in early 2019. Freightos Baltic Index data showed that transpacific container rates doubled from July to November in 2018 as ocean volumes and inventories grew, with rates and volumes in 2019 muted in comparison.
This time, anticipation that Trump will follow through on these campaign promises could be enough to spur some increase in ocean freight demand and rates starting now, with these trends possibly intensifying once tariff increases are actually announced.

- If pressure is renewed on the US ocean freight rates due to the election, it will be starting from an already elevated floor. Though prices have fallen significantly as peak season demand pressure has eased – transpacific rates to the East Coast are nearly 50% lower than their July high – at about $5,200/FEU East Coast prices are more than double their level last year, and West Coast prices are more than triple what they were last year and in October 2019. Rates are also $1,000 - $2,000/FEU higher than their lower for the year reached this April.
- The root cause of elevated rates across the container market is the Red Sea crisis which continues to absorb capacity. But there may be other factors at play unique to the N. American market, keeping more pressure on rates compared to other tradelanes.
- The first could be some pull forward of volumes in the last couple months by shippers in anticipation of a possible Trump victory – a trend that could intensify now that the election is over. The other is the looming January 15th deadline for a possible renewal of the port worker strike at East Coast and Gulf ports. This last factor could also be contributing to transatlantic spot rates which climbed to $2,583/FEU last week, 35% higher than a month ago, and at its highest level since May 2023.
Also in North America, port operators in Prince Rupert and Vancouver – Canada’s largest container port – have locked out ILWU workers since the start of the week in response to the union’s strike announcement. Several vessels are currently stuck at the ports waiting out the strike, with others scheduled to arrive soon. Disruptions at these hubs could lead to diversions and increased traffic at Seattle - Tacoma. Meanwhile, port workers in Montreal have ceased operations at two of the port’s terminals, impacting 40% of the port’s capacity as the newest escalation in this ongoing dispute.
- Asia -Europe ocean rates – which had returned to April levels – increased last week on start of month GRIs as carriers seek a price rebound especially as annual contract season gets underway on this lane.
- The latest daily rates of more than $4,500/FEU are more than 20% higher to last week’s levels. Carriers will be hoping some continued congestion in Hamburg, 2-3 day waits in Taiwan ports, Shanghai and Ningbo due to last weekend’s typhoon, and an increase in blanked sailings may support this rate hike even as demand eases post-peak season. An early Lunar New Year and longer lead times needed ahead of the holiday due to Red Sea diversions could also work in carriers’ favor.
- Conventional wisdom since the start of the Red Sea crisis has been that once it ends, overcapacity in the market will take hold to push rates down, possibly to extreme lows. In a recent earnings call, though, Maersk – which also said it will take about three months to get its new alliance with Hapag-Lloyd up and running smoothly after its launch in February – speculated that demand growth, slow steaming, and a significant increase in scrapping older vessels, could blunt the impact of fleet growth and keep rates profitable for carriers.

Nov 06 - Weekly Air rates - Freightos Air index

- China - N. America weekly prices decreased 3% to $6.70/kg.
- China - N. Europe weekly prices increased 2% to $3.94/kg.
- N. Europe - N. America weekly prices increased 11% to $2.24/kg.

In air cargo, China - N. America rates of around $7.00/kg for the last couple weeks – the high for last year – suggests that air peak season is upon us for this lane, though prices to Europe have stayed level just below $4.00/kg, still below the $4.80/kg high reached last December.
The elevated starting point for air rates is due to the surge of B2C e-commerce volumes that have kept capacity tight for much of the year. But challenges to this flood of low cost imports continue to mount.
Besides the Biden administration’s proposed closing of the de minimis exemption to most Chinese imports – which may be unlikely to happen before the end of its term, though the Trump administration could feasibly try to enact something similar – the European Commission has opened an investigation into Temu’s possible failure to limit the sale of illegal goods. In the US, increases in warehouse leasing by Chinese logistics companies, including for e-commerce, may signal that some platforms are preparing for a shift away from de minimis and air cargo.

Nov 06 - NITRO SHIPPING Freight Report For Grains

AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The Azov sea basin shows low activity this week. Market bit down compared to last week levels. Owners are keen to fix mid-second half
November opening vessels. With the present market situation owners prefer to avoid spot opening.

BALTIC SEA: The Baltic sea market remains low.

CASPIAN SEA: This week, we see the market strengthening and the upward trend continuing, as it was in previous weeks. Ongoing adverse weather conditions are further
complicating the current situation, Owners facing delays.

FAR EAST: The market showed no significant changes in the situation over the past week.

Nov 06 - Ukrainian Weekly Freight Report (SPIKE BROKERS)

AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS
In October 2024, exports of agricultural products from Ukraine by road increased by 17% compared to September, reaching 384.7 tons. The largest growth was recorded at the Romanian border — by 40%, to 116 thousand tons. At the Hungarian border, exports increased by 18%, to 38.5 thousand tons, and at the Moldovan border — by 11%, to 55.5 thousand tons. At the Polish border, there was a slight increase of 8%, to 159 thousand tons, while at the Slovak border volumes remained at the level of September — 24 thousand tons.
The main export goods in October were sunflower oil (54.9 thousand tons) and soybeans (41 thousand tons).
The cost of transportation of agricultural products to Europe decreased by 2-5€ depending on the direction, while the prices for domestic transportation remained at the level of the previous period.

Market rates for transporting tents to Europe:
· Ternopil region - center. / Mon. Italy @90-120€
· Ternopil region - center. Bulgaria @80-87€
· Cherkasy region. - Pd. Romania @72-83€

RAILWAY LOGISTICS
In October, the export of grain from Ukraine through land corridors by rail amounted to 393.4 thousand tons, which is 4% more than in September. There is a redistribution of volumes between border crossings. The largest increase was recorded at the Hungarian border - 53.02% compared to September, reaching 50.74 weights/day. On the Slovak border, there is also an increase of 16.76%, to 34.13 weights/day. On the Polish border, however, a decline of 6.72% was made, with a result of 46.51 carriages per day. The Romanian border also lost ground - a decrease of 20%, to 40.16 weights/day. The total average daily rate of carriage in October is 242 weights / day, which is 16.91% higher than the September figure.
In the direction of deep-sea ports of Ukraine the number of traveling cars decreased to 6219 units. At the same time, the average daily discharge rate increased by almost 10% to 1429 weights/day. There is an increase in the accumulation of wagons in the port of Izmail by 17.34% - up to 433 units, although the average daily discharge rate in the port decreased by 55.42% and is 33 weights/day due to low flow.
In general, the market remains stable due to the sufficient number of free cars and stable grain prices. At the same time, a gradual increase in demand and customer activity has led to a slight increase in tariffs by 1$.

WATER LOGISTICS
In October, the volume of agricultural exports from Ukraine by water transport increased by 35% compared to September, reaching 2,576.7 thousand tons. However, despite the general increase, the last week of the month was marked by a decrease in export volumes, which created difficulties for shipowners in maintaining freight rates at the previous level.
Tariffs for sending by costers and handissaises have decreased slightly, while rates for panamaxes have remained unchanged, as well as tariffs for barges from the ports of the Danube in the direction of Constanta.

Nov 06 - Jordan buys about 60,000 T wheat in tender, traders say
Jordan's state grains buyer purchased about 60,000 metric tons of hard milling wheat to be sourced from optional origins in an international tender on Tuesday, traders said. It was believed to have been bought from trading house CHS at an estimated $271.30 a ton cost and freight included (c&f) for shipment in the first half of February 2025, they said.

Nov 06 - Ukraine's October seaborne grain and oilseed exports jump y/y, trader union says
Ukraine's overall grain and oilseed exports by sea and river totalled 5.28 million metric tons in October, well exceeding the 3.13 million tons exported a year earlier, traders' union UGA said on Tuesday. Ukraine is a major global producer and exporter of grains, vegetable oils and oilseeds.

Nov 05 - Egypt's GASC buys 290,000 tonnes of wheat in tender, traders say
Egypt's state grains buyer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), is believed to have bought 290,000 metric tons of wheat in an international tender, traders said. The purchase comprised 120,000 tons of Ukrainian wheat, 120,000 tons of Romanian wheat, and 50,000 tons of Bulgarian wheat, they added.

Nov 05 - Ghana’s cocoa purchases smooth under new funding model, Cocobod CEO says
Cocoa purchases in the world's number two producer Ghana have been smooth and orderly in the 2024/25 crop season under a new funding model that requires global traders to pay upfront for part of bean shipments, the head of the sector regulator Cocobod said on Monday. Starting in September, Cocobod replaced a previous three-decade-old system where the regulator financed bean purchases from farmers with an annual syndicated loan from international banks.

Nov 04 - Vancouver port employer could shut out foremen, bulk grain will not be hit
Port of Vancouver foremen will be locked out on Monday unless they scrap a proposed strike, employers at Canada's biggest port said on Friday, but bulk grain handling would not be affected. Canada's west coast ports are major outlets for resource exports, including potash, coal, forestry products, pork and beef.

Nov 04 - Argentina's grains export revenue jumps more than 200% in October
Argentina's farm sector brought in a total of $2.55 billion through exports in October, a 243% increase compared to the some month a year earlier, the CIARA-CEC oilseed and grains crusher chamber and exporters said on Friday. CIARA-CEC noted in a report that revenues from the sector's companies rose nearly 3% compared to September. In the January-October period there was an 21% increase.

Nov 01 - China pivot from US farm imports bolsters it against trade war risks
China's push to shift its food import sources since 2018 has put it in a better position to impose tit-for-tat tariffs on U.S. farm goods with less harm to its food security if trade friction with Washington flares after the U.S. presidential election. The threat of a trade war looms for China, the world's top importer of farm products such as soybeans and corn, with Republican candidate Donald Trump floating blanket 60% tariffs on Chinese goods in a bid to boost U.S. manufacturing.

Nov 01 - Algeria buys around 600,000 T milling wheat in tender, traders say
Algeria’s state grains agency OAIC bought around 600,000 metric tons of milling wheat in an international tender on Thursday, European traders said. Purchases were reported at around $263 a ton cost and freight included, they said.

Oct 31 - Argentina transportation unions strike against Milei's austerity moves
A 24-hour strike launched on Wednesday by transportation unions in Argentina against President Javier Milei's austerity measures blocked grain shipments at a major hub and affected thousands due to the lack of operating trains and airplanes. Workers were protesting a series of layoffs in public agencies by right-wing libertarian Milei while demanding higher wages, as the government pushes through with austerity measures to balance its accounts amid a major economic crisis.

Oct 31 - South Korea’s MFG buys 68,000 T corn in another private deal, traders say
South Korea's Major Feedmill Group purchased an estimated 68,000 metric tons of animal feed corn in a second private deal on Wednesday without issuing an international tender, European traders said. This followed a previous purchase of about 66,000 tons of corn in another private deal on Wednesday.

Oct 30 - NITRO Shipping Weekly Freight Report for Russian Grains

AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The Azov sea market is pretty stable this week with a slight trend of weakening. Owners prefer to fix opening positions fast without waiting for spot opening.

BALTIC SEA: The Baltic sea market remains weak.

FAR EAST: It appears that the market's continued strength, potentially driven by grain shipments to Korea.

CASPIAN SEA: The market is strengthening, showing an overall upward trend, impacted by the absence of spot positions. As the rivers' navigation season nears its end, shipowners are exerting pressure on exporters by quoting high rates from rivers ports. This situation has made many shipowners hesitant to sail further upstream of Kamyshin port. Delays in vessels' arrivals due to adverse weather conditions are complicating the situation for exporters.

Oct 30 - Weekly Ukrainian Freight Report (SPIKE BROKERS)

- AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS
As of 28.10, 344 thousand tons of agricultural products were exported by road across Western borders, which is 11% more compared to the same period in September. The largest increase in exports was recorded through the Romanian border — by 35%, to 103.7 thousand tons. Over the Hungarian border, volumes also increased by 15.5% compared to last month, to 35.1 thousand tons. On the Polish border, the export rate is 135.8 thousand tons, which is only 4% higher than the September level. The Moldovan border shows stability with an export volume of 47.9 thousand tons. At the same time, due to the Slovak border, there is a decline in volumes by 7%, to 21.5 thousand tons.
The main export goods are sunflower oil (50.1 thousand tons) and soybeans (35.9 thousand tons).
There is a slight increase in tariffs for international transportation within 1€, while domestic transportation prices have suffered a slight decrease compared to last week.

Market rates for transporting tents to Europe:
· Ternopil region - center. / Mon. Italy @90-120€
· Ternopil region - center. Bulgaria @82-90€
· Ternopil region. - East. Germany @90-110€
· Cherkasy region. - Pd. Romania @75-85€

- RAILWAY LOGISTICS
As of 28.10, the total volumes of agricultural products transported by rail show a tendency to increase, which also indicates an increase in the total indicator of the average daily carriage transfer across all borders by 14%, to 236 weights per day.
On the Hungarian border, a record increase of 51.1% was recorded, to 50.11 weights per day. On the Slovak border, there is also an increase of 9.7%, to 32.07 weights per day. At the same time, export volumes across the Polish and Romanian borders decreased by 10.3% and 18.2%, respectively, to 44.71 and 41.04 scales/day.
The number of cars going to deep-sea ports of Ukraine increased by 18.04% compared to last week, reaching 6,753 units. At the same time, the average daily discharge rate decreased slightly to 1,304 weights per day. The accumulation of wagons in the port of Izmail increased by 9.17%, reaching 369 units, and due to constant alarms and shelling of the port infrastructure, the average daily discharge rate in Izmail fell by 16% and is 74 scales per day.
The offer of cars on the market remains high, which keeps the cost of rail transportation at the level of the previous week.

- WATER LOGISTICS
Fluctuations in prices in the commodity market caused a decrease in the chartering activity of ships during the past week. Due to the limited offer of free tonnage owners of coasters were able to raise freight rates by 1-2$. At the same time, the owners of hendisayzov, on the contrary, reduced their tariffs by 1$. Shipping rates from the Danube ports in the directions of Turkey, Italy and Spain increased by 1$, while the rates for sending to Constanta remain consistently low.

Oct 30 - Jordan buys about 60,000 T wheat in tender, traders say
Jordan's state grains buyer purchased about 60,000 metric tons of hard milling wheat to be sourced from optional origins in an international tender on Tuesday, traders said. It was believed to have been bought from trading house Ameropa at an estimated $269.00 a ton cost and freight included (c&f) for shipment in the first half of January 2025, they said.

Oct 30 - South Korea's NOFI buys estimated 136,000 T corn, traders say
Leading South Korean animal feed maker Nonghyup Feed bought an estimated 136,000 metric tons of animal feed corn to be sourced optionally from the United States, South America or South Africa in an international tender on Tuesday seeking up to 207,000 tons, European traders said. It was bought in two 68,000 ton consignments for 2025 arrival, both from trading house Olam.

Oct 29 - Grain handlers go on strike at Australian exporter GrainCorp
Some grain handlers at GrainCorp, one of Australia's largest exporters of wheat and other crops, began industrial action, threatening to disrupt the harvest just as it ramps up. Australia is one of the world's biggest shippers of agricultural products.

Oct 29 - Indonesia considers importing 1 million tons of rice from India next year, minister says
Indonesia is looking into options for importing 1 million tons of rice from India next year, coordinating minister for food affairs Zulkifli Hasan said. Indonesia's rice output is estimated to fall 2.43% this year to 30.34 million metric tons, due to a delay in planting and harvest season amid longer dry weather in 2023, the statistics bureau said earlier this month.

Oct 28 - US corn export sales post multiyear highs, even without China - Braun
U.S. exporters last week sold unusually large volumes of corn that previously were possible only when China was active in the market. But China was absent this time around, and its import intentions remain unclear for now.

Oct 28 - Brazil's sugar output up 8% in early October, UNICA says
Sugar production in Brazil's key center-south region totaled 2.44 million metric tons in the first half of October, industry group UNICA said on Friday, an 8% increase when compared with a year earlier. Sugarcane crushing in the period rose 2.75% to 33.83 million tons, UNICA said in a report.

Oct 25 - Ukrainian corn seed flows to Europe in further farm trade shift
Ukraine has rapidly expanded exports of corn seed to the EU in the past two years in rare good news for its war-hit agricultural sector but adding to European farmers' grievances about what they say is unfair competition from Kyiv. It is ramping up shipments under free trade terms granted by the European Union following Russia's invasion, partly reversing the bloc's longstanding seed exports to Ukraine.

Oct 25 - Russia's proposed grain exchange for BRICS countries may take years to launch
Russia's proposal for a new international grain exchange could take years to get off the ground even though the plan was welcomed by members of the BRICS group of countries at a summit this week in Kazan in Russia. Russia has been pushing to establish the exchange as part of a broader plan to create new financial instruments, detach its trade from the U.S. dollar and help Moscow combat Western sanctions.

Oct 24 - NITRO SHIPPING Weekly Freight Report for Grains

- AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The Azov Sea market remains unstable and fairly weak, with moderate trading activity taking place. Market players report fixtures concluded still in mid 30's usd pmt fiost ex Rostov to Marmara sea bss 5'k sfs meal; 3’k wheat parcels pay 30-low 30's usd pmt fiost ex Rostov to Marmara in prompt. Some owners prefer longer voyages (Mersin / Iskenderun / Egypt Med / Albania).

- BALTIC SEA: The Baltic market remains sluggish, although there are indications of a slight strengthening in rates. Owners are eager to negotiate freight arrangements for suitable cargo.

- FAR EAST: Shipowners are exercising caution despite some market improvements, avoiding long voyages due to adverse weather conditions that threaten navigation.

- CASPIAN SEA: The market situation is showing signs of stability and favorability, as river shipping rates have risen compared to the previous week, suggesting a potential uptick in demand from Iranian buyers. Kazakhstan offers more favorable conditions for selling barley to Iran, which is why it is competing with Russia in this market. Currently, Aktau is facing significant delays, with long queues of vessels leading to waiting times of up to 1.5 weeks for berthing. The shortage of available Russian-flagged vessels for loading in Astrakhan has pushed freight rates higher, while shipments coming in at the tail end of the navigation period are becoming more lucrative. Furthermore, Iranianflagged vessels are not likely to be available until mid-November, adding to the complications caused by earlier voyage delays.

Oct 24 - InVivo eyes Ukrainian wheat to counter Russian export expansion
Agricutural cooperative InVivo is studying how it might source Ukrainian wheat alongside its core French supplies to develop new export markets after losing out to Russian wheat in Algeria, the group's chief executive said on Wednesday. The group, with activities from grain trading to wine distribution, opened a Saudi office this year and saw selling Ukrainian wheat as a way to gain scale in the Middle East in the future, Thierry Blandinieres told Reuters.

Oct 24 - Romanian government to approve railroad funding for Black Sea port of Constanta
Romania's government will approve on Wednesday a plan to upgrade rail infrastructure in the Black Sea port of Constanta to create a second railroad access point, part of wider investments in the port triggered by Russia's war in Ukraine. European Union and NATO member Romania has become Ukraine's biggest alternative grain export route since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and its port of Constanta has drawn an influx of investment, including European Union funds to increase its capacity.

Oct 23 - Weekly Ukrainian Freight Report (SPIKE BROKERS)

Traded freight
Automotive logistics (dump trucks):
· Kharkiv region - South port (October-November) @1598 UAH/t with VAT
· Chernihiv region - Myronivka village (October) @650 UAH/t including VAT

- AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS
Last week, exports of agricultural products across western land borders remained at 87.58 thousand tons, which corresponds to the previous week. At the border with Moldova, the volumes have not changed much - 12.3 thousand tons. The Romanian border saw a slight decrease of 4.5% to 25.89 thousand tons. A more significant drop was observed on the Hungarian border, where volumes decreased by 11% and amounted to 8.29 thousand tons, as well as on the Slovak border - by 21%, to 4.56 thousand tons. At the same time, on the Polish border, through which 40% of all agricultural exports pass, there was a growth of 6.7% to 36.5 thousand tons.
Sunflower oil (37 thousand tons) and soybeans (25.5 thousand tons) continue to lidify in export in October. Tariffs for road transport remain stable, with minor fluctuations within 1$ in certain areas, which indicates a steady demand for these services.

- RAILWAY LOGISTICS
Last week, commodity flows remained stable, without significant changes. The average daily transfer of cars was 248 cars per day, which corresponds to the level of the previous week. The Slovak and Romanian borders recorded a slight decrease in exports, to 37.15 and 42.2 wagons a day, respectively. On the Hungarian border, volumes decreased by 11%, to 51.45 cars per day. The only increase was recorded on the Polish border, where the number of wagons increased by 4% to 44.6 wagons per day.
In the ports of Bolshaya Odessa, the average daily discharge increased by 4% and amounts to 1,316 wagons per day. The number of wagons moving towards the deep sea ports remains stable at 5,721 units. The accumulation of wagons in the port of Izmail decreased by 30%, to 338 units, and the average daily discharge fell by 10%, to 87 units.
Tariffs remain stable, but demand is expected to increase, which may lead to higher prices for car rentals.

- WATER LOGISTICS
Customers continue actively chartering vessels for grain shipment, which led to an increase in the rates for the transportation of vessels of the type of coster by 2$. For vessels such as hendisays, a balanced market is observed, where demand and supply are equalized, so freight rates remain at the level of the previous week. Rates for panamaxes bound for southern China have not changed either. At the same time, rates for barge freight from the Danube ports to Constanta continue to be consistently low, which indicates no significant changes in this market segment.

Oct 23 - Tunisia buys about 125,000 T soft wheat in tender, traders say
Tunisia's state grains agency is believed to have purchased about 125,000 metric tons of soft wheat in an international tender on Tuesday, European traders said. The lowest price was estimated to be $262.88 a ton cost and freight (c&f) for two 25,000 ton consignments sold by Bulgarian trading house Buildcom, traders said.

Oct 23 - Indian origin permitted in Indonesia’s 340,000 T rice tender
Indonesian state purchasing agency Bulog has told traders that Indian supplies can be offered in its new international tender to buy 340,000 metric tons of rice and the offer deadline is postponed by one day, European traders said on Tuesday. Traders said an initial announcement from Bulog said the rice could be sourced only from Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam or Pakistan.

Oct 22 - Weekly Ocean rates - Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) fell 5% to $5,294/FEU.
- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) fell 13% to $5,935/FEU.
- Asia-North Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) fell 3% to $3,523/FEU.
- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) fell 5% to $3,927/FEU.

- Some minimal congestion – caused by the three day strike at the beginning of the month – remains at US East Coast and Gulf ports though operations have mostly recovered. Some observers anticipate that the strike will still lead to some capacity and equipment shortages at Asian origins in early November.
- For now the pull forward of peak season demand to earlier than usual in the year is leading to easing volumes in October and into November and container rates are falling as a result. Transpacific spot prices to the West Coast are 35% lower than their July peak and 38% lower to the East Coast. But even with easing demand and volume projections for the coming months lower than those in Q2, transpacific rates above $5,000/FEU are still $1,500 - $2,000/FEU higher than during the previous Red Sea crisis-era lull in demand back in April.  
Meanwhile, prices for Asia - Europe containers eased to about $3,500/FEU last week, which is 60% lower than the peak in July and about even with the April floor on for this lane. Asia - Mediterranean rates fell 3% to $3,927/FEU last week, which is 50% lower than in July and $400/FEU lower than in April. At the same time, Red Sea diversions’ drain on capacity are still keeping these prices about triple their level a year ago.
- Nonetheless, with rates sliding on lower demand carriers have started to increase the number of blanked sailings on Asia - Europe lanes. Ports in Hamburg and Felixstowe are still dealing with some congestion, and some vessel bunching persists in Shanghai, though waits at Qingdao and Ningbo have decreased.  There is also anticipation that the pre-Lunar New Year demand increase could have an early start in November as European shippers still have to factor in longer transit times around the Cape of Good hope. These factors have some carriers hopeful that rates could rebound soon as MSC announced a November GRI to push Asia - Europe rates up to $5,000/FEU with other carriers also rolling out increases.

Oct 22 - Weekly Air rates - Freightos Air index

- China - N. America weekly prices were level at $5.43/kg.
- China - N. Europe weekly prices were level at $3.81/kg.
- N. Europe - N. America weekly prices increased 2% to $1.85/kg.

- Though ocean volumes are past their peak for the year, the typical Q4 air cargo peak season should heat up soon. Freightos Air index data shows Middle East - N. America rates have increased 35% since mid-September to $3.17/kg, a level last seen in March, suggesting that sea-air peak season may already be getting underway.  
China - N. America and Europe rates remain elevated but do not seem to be increasing yet on peak season demand. B2C e-commerce volumes have kept ex-China demand and rates strong throughout much of the year, doing away with typical seasonality in the market so far this year. And expectations are that when demand increases in Q4 rates could spike even higher and space will be very difficult to secure.
- But the e-commerce impact on rates and availability this year may have pushed many forwarders and shippers to plan ahead for peak season either by building up inventories earlier than usual or reserving air capacity in advance. As a result some observers think that space will be tight and rates high during Q4, but will not be as extreme or disruptive as many are anticipating.

Oct 22 - India considers imports of Mongolian coking coal via Russia, source says
India is exploring ways to import regular supplies of Mongolian coking coal by way of Russia, a senior government official with direct knowledge of the matter said, as New Delhi seeks to avoid over-reliance on transit through China. Mills in India, the world's second-biggest producer of crude steel, grappled with volatile Australian supplies of coking coal last year, and the government sent delegations to Mongolia in an effort to diversify sources of the fuel.

Oct 22 - Indian buyers expect no disruption in Canadian lentil, potash supplies
Indian buyers do not expect supplies of Canadian lentils and potash to be affected by the diplomatic row between New Delhi and Ottawa, trade, industry and government officials said. Lentils and potash supplies from Canada have been steady, they said.

Oct 21 - Russian coal shipments to China plunge 86% in SeptemberChina's coal imports from Russia sank 86% in September from the same month a year earlier, customs data showed on Sunday, as sanctions on Moscow continued to weigh. Russia's coal shipments to China last month were 1.3 million metric tons, according to the General Administration of Customs. That was also down from 8.7 million tons in August.

Oct 21 - Bangladesh issues tender to buy 50,000 T rice, traders sayBangladesh's state grains buyer has issued an international tender to purchase 50,000 metric tons of rice, traders said. The deadline for submission of price offers is Nov. 4. Floods in Bangladesh have destroyed an estimated 1.1 million tons of rice, prompting the country to ramp up imports of the staple grain amid soaring food prices.

Oct 18 - Russia imposes temporary import ban on Kazakh grain, but allows transitRussia has imposed a temporary ban on Kazakh grain imports for its own market, but has granted Kazakhstan permission to transit grain via Russian territory for export to other countries starting from Thursday, Russia's agricultural watchdog said. The move indicates the tensions between the two grain exporters, which also tranship each other's oil, gas and metals, may have eased but are yet to be fully resolved.

Oct 18 - Taiwan buys estimated 78,200 T wheat of US-origin
The Taiwan Flour Millers' Association purchased an estimated 78,200 metric tons of milling wheat to be sourced from the United States in a tender on Thursday, European traders said. The purchase involved various wheat types for shipment from the U.S. Pacific Northwest coast in two consignments.

Oct 17 - Ukraine grain exports at 12.5 million tons so far 2024/25, says ministry
Ukraine's grain exports in the 2024/25 July-June season totalled 12.5 million metric tons as of Oct. 16, up from about 7.7 million tons over the same period of the previous season, agriculture ministry data showed on Wednesday. The volume included 7.1 million tons of wheat, 3.5 million tons of corn and 1.6 million tons of barley.

Oct 17 - South Korea’s MFG buys about 131,000 T corn, traders say
South Korea's Major Feedmill Group purchased an estimated 131,000 metric tons of animal feed corn in an international tender on Wednesday, European traders said. One consignment of 65,000 tons was bought at an estimated $237.74 a ton cost and freight included plus an additional $1.25 a ton surcharge for additional port unloading for arrival in South Korea around Jan. 6, 2025.

Oct 16 - NITRO Weekly Shipping Freight Report for Grains

AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The Azov sea market steadily holds a position of one of the most volatile markets. After a significant weakening last week, this week again we see the market has regained a few dollars. A good number of vessels opening in October are fixed so those opening are looking for better freights. Owners are looking for usd 32-35 pmt fiost bss usual 3'k wheat order ex Rostov to Marmara whilst charterers are keen to see around usd 30 pmt fiost. 5-6'k sbpp (sf abt 60") cargoes are ready to pay mid 30's usd pmt fiost ex Yeisk to Marmara.

BALTIC SEA: The market is still weak in coaster size. Owners are ready to discuss freight levels to secure a cargo.

CASPIAN SEA: The Caspian basin's market stability this week, marked by only slight fluctuations, is largely influenced by Iranian buyers responding to new export duties. Their increased activity suggests a proactive strategy to secure grains before potential price hikes, reflecting a shift in purchasing behavior and an adjustment to market conditions.

FAR EAST: The market has shown continued weakness in recent days

Oct 16 - Weekly Ukrainian Freight Report (SPIKE BROKERS)

- AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS
The first half of October is marked by an increase in export shipments of agricultural products by 15% compared to the same period in September. As of 14.10, 170,000 tons of agricultural products were exported by road. In particular, stable export volumes are observed at the Polish border (64.9 thousand tons) and Slovak border (11.9 thousand tons). The Romanian border increased its figures by 50% to 52.6 thousand tons, and the Hungarian border shows a significant increase of 39% to 18.3 thousand tons. At the same time, the Moldovan border is reducing by 6% to 21.6 thousand tons.
Leaders of export for the season are sunflower oil (22.4 thousand tons) and soybeans (18.4 thousand tons).
During the week, a slight increase in tariffs for transportation in the direction of deep-sea ports of ports, which fluctuate within 2$, was also recorded.

- RAILWAY LOGISTICS
During the first half of October, an increase in the average daily transfer of cars on the Western borders by 20%, to 248 cars per day. On the Polish border, this figure is 42.69 carriages per day, which is almost 15% less than last month, and the Romanian border is reduced by 11%, to 44.61 carriages per day. At the same time, the Slovak border shows an increase of 31% compared to the previous month, with a rate of 38.38 cars per day as of 13.10. Particularly significant increase in volumes is noted on the Hungarian border - by 74%, where 57.85 cars are transshipped every day.
As of 13.10, 5,843 wagons are moving in the direction of Odessa ports, which corresponds to the last week's indicator. The average daily discharge rate in ports is 1264 wagons per day, which indicates an increase of 6%. In the port of Izmail, the accumulation of wagons decreased by almost half, to 487 units, while the average daily discharge rate in the port of Izmail increased by 14%, to 96 units compared to the previous week.
Despite the expectations of tariff increases, a slight decrease was recorded in the range of 2-5$, depending on the direction.

- WATER LOGISTICS
The lack of free tonnage and regular shelling of the port infrastructure led to an increase in freight rates in different directions. Shipowners are reluctant to enter Ukrainian ports, which is why charterers face a shortage of transport. Tariff rates for coasters in the direction of Italy and Spain increased by an average of 2$. Similarly, the freight offers in the direction of Turkey from the Danube ports also increased by 2$. However, the situation with barges remains stable, and the cost of transportation is kept low.

Oct 16 - Dry Freight Markets
Russia’s Grain Exporters Union starts publishing indicative prices for wheat exports
Russia’s Grain Exporters Union began publishing indicative export prices for Russian wheat on Tuesday, following discussions on exports during a meeting between agriculture ministry officials and leading exporters last week. The union said the indicative export price for wheat with 12.5% protein content on a free-on-board basis from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk was $240 per metric ton for October, $245 for November and $250 for December.

Oct 16 - Turkey relaxes wheat import rules as ban due to expire, millers say
Turkey, the world's largest flour exporter, has relaxed its wheat import rules ahead of the scheduled expiry of a ban at midnight on Tuesday, according to the millers' association. In June, Turkey banned wheat imports until Oct. 15 to protect farmers from low prices, promote domestic procurement of grains by the Turkish state grain board and create a favourable market for farmers.

Oct 15 - Weekly Ocean rates - Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) fell 3% to $5,565/FEU.
- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) climbed 1% to $6,787/FEU.
- Asia-N. Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) decreased 11% to $3,625/FEU.
- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) fell 8% to $4,118/FEU.

- Hurricane Milton battered the west coast of Florida last week. Power disruptions kept the Port of Tampa Bay closed until Monday, while ports in Miami and Jacksonville resumed operations before the end of last week.
- The Port of Savannah, which was still facing a backlog from Hurricane Helene in September, will require another two weeks to restore full fluidity as the three-day ILA port strike added to the number of waiting vessels.  Ships are waiting more than two days for a slot in Savannah, with the other major East Coast ports also reporting waits of one to four days at some terminals due to the strike, representing significant but not extreme congestion as the backlogs get cleared.
- Some carriers have announced blanked sailings in response to the congestion, but may also be adjusting capacity to the lower, post-peak season volumes.
- Transpacific ocean rates are now 30% below their July peaks, and with the early end to peak season we should expect rates to continue easing. Rate levels of $5,500/FEU to the West Coast and $6,700/FEU to the East Coast are still several thousand dollars higher than typical levels even for peak season and are also still about $1,000/FEU higher than the Red Sea-adjusted floor hit in April. As long as Red Sea diversions continue to absorb capacity on an industry level, prices may not fall much further than seen back in April.
- Asia - Europe and Mediterranean trades – that, due to longer lead times for sailings around the Cape of Good Hope, had to have peak season goods moved out of Asia before Golden Week to receive them in time for Q4 consumer events – seem to be even further past peak demand than the transpacific. Rates on these lanes fell further last week and, at about $3,600/FEU to Europe and $4,000/FEU to the Mediterranean, are already just about at April levels.

Oct 15 - Weekly Air rates - Freightos Air index

- China - N. America weekly prices decreased 23% to $5.43/kg.
- China - N. Europe weekly prices fell 1% to $3.80/kg.
- N. Europe - N. America weekly increased 2% to $1.82/kg.

- In air cargo, Freightos Air Index data shows that transpacific air cargo rates that had jumped to $7.07/kg with some ocean to air shift at the start of the ILA strike, fell back to $5.43/kg last week. But even at $5 - $6/kg, rates are elevated well above typical levels even ahead of air’s Q4 peak season on the continued surge of e-commerce volumes out of China.
The importing of low-cost goods directly to consumers by high cost air cargo is mostly facilitated by the de minimis exception which exempts small imports from customs costs and rigorous and expensive filing requirements.
- In September the White House announced plans to significantly reduce access to the de minimis exemption, with e-commerce imports from China a main target.
Actual rule changes will be a ways off and final versions could be quite different from those proposed. Because of the lack of movement since September, e-commerce air cargo volumes are expected to increase along with other types of goods soon and through early December, making space even tighter and pushing rates higher.
If significant changes to de minimis do eventually go through though, they could result in a shift in strategy by e-commerce platforms like Temu and Shein, and a possible shift away or reduction in use of air cargo for these types of goods.

Oct 15 - France set to break wheat export lull with rare Thailand shipment
A large cargo of French wheat is set to load for Thailand this month, according to trading and shipping sources, a rare shipment to the southeast Asian country that will boost sluggish French exports. A ship is due to call at the northern river port of Rouen this week to load part of a planned volume of between 60,000 and 70,000 metric tons, with the vessel expected to complete loading at the west coast port of La Pallice, the sources said.

Oct 15 - Ukraine's grain exports via Romania's Constanta down by half in Jan-Sept
Ukraine's grain exports through the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta fell by half on the year in the first nine months to 5.17 million metric tons, the port authority said, as Kyiv has increasingly relied on its own ports this year despite Russian attacks on ships and port infrastructure. Constanta remains Ukraine's main alternative route for grain since Russia's full-scale invasion and the port has seen an influx of European Union investment funds to boost its capacity.

Oct 14 - Russia sets price floor for wheat at international tenders, sources say
Russia's agriculture ministry asked exporters at a closed-door meeting on Friday not to sell wheat by tender to international buyers below a minimum price, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The recommendation introduces a de-facto price floor of $250 per metric ton on a free-on-board basis for wheat from Russia, the world's biggest exporter of the grain.

Oct 14 - South Korea’s NOFI buys about 60,000 T soymeal, traders say
Leading South Korean animal feed maker Nonghyup Feed Inc. (NOFI) purchased up to 60,000 metric tons of soymeal in an international tender on Friday, European traders said. It was expected to be sourced from South America, but the seller can also optionally supply from the United States or China.

Oct 11 - Japan may take action to respond to China's growing steel exports, ministry official says
The Japanese government may take trade action if needed in response to growing steel exports from China, the world's biggest steel producer, an official at Japan's industry ministry said on Thursday. "We are concerned that in many cases Chinese steel is being exported at significantly low prices, affecting global supply and demand as well as pricing," Manabu Nabeshima, director of the metal industries division at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, told a news conference.

Oct 11 - South Korea’s FLC buys 60,000 metric tons soymeal, traders say
South Korean import group the Feed Leaders Committee on Thursday purchased up to 60,000 metric tons of soymeal to be sourced from South America or optionally from the United States or China, European traders said. The FLC is believed to have made the purchase from trading house Cofco at an estimated $398.50 a metric ton c&f including a surcharge for additional port unloading, they said.

Oct 10 - Algeria bars France from wheat import tender as relations sour, sources say
Algeria excluded French companies from a wheat import tender this week and required that participating firms did not offer French-origin wheat, in apparent fallout from renewed diplomatic tensions between Algiers and Paris, trading sources said. The move, echoing a dispute three years ago that led to France being sidelined from its former colony's wheat tenders for months, may reinforce the recent dominance of Black Sea supplies, led by Russian wheat, in Algeria's massive import market.

Oct 10 - More Kazakh agricultural exporters complain of issues with transit to Russia
Some Kazakh rice and corn exporters are unable to ship their products to Russia, Kazakhstan's Grain Union said on Wednesday, in what appeared to be an expansion of a Russian block on grain transit from Kazakhstan after Moscow accused Astana of breaching plant health regulations. Russia is a key transit country for major Kazakh exports such as oil and uranium, and trade tensions could make market players nervous about the steady supply of those commodities.

Oct 09 - Ukrainian Weekly Freight Report (SPIKE BROKERS)

- AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS
As of 07.10, exports of agricultural products by road increased by 17% compared to the same period in September, reaching 81 thousand tons. The growth is due to the activity of sellers and the increase in commodity prices, which stimulated the conclusion of new transactions. The largest increase in export shipments is observed at the Romanian and Slovak borders - by 40% and 47%, to 25.5 thousand tons and 9.05 thousand tons, respectively. Small growth (5-6%) was recorded at the Polish (30.7 thousand tons) and Hungarian (6.16 thousand tons) borders. The situation on the Moldovan border with the export of 9.6 thousand tons remains stable.
The leaders of exports in October are soybeans (9.8 thousand tons) and sunflower oil (9.5 tons). The increase in supplies to Romania and Bulgaria caused an increase in market rates for international transportation by 2-3€. Despite this, the domestic transportation tariffs remain stable due to the use of transport for harvesting and the reduction of the demand for transportation in the direction of ports.

- RAILWAY LOGISTICS
In the first week of October, there was a significant revival of the market for export railway shipments on most borders, except for Polish ones, where the number of wagons transmission decreased to 44.83 wagons per day. At the Romanian border, the situation remained stable at 53.67 carriages per day. Instead, at the Hungarian border, there was a significant increase in volumes by 70%, reaching 55.34 cars per day. The Slovak border also shows a significant increase of 43% with a rate of 42.83 cars per day. In general, the average daily rate of carriage transfer across all borders increased by 26%, up to 260 wagons per day.
The number of carriages moving towards the ports also increases, up to 5,818 units. The average daily rate of unloading wagons increased by 16% and is 1193 cars per day. The number of cars accumulated in the port of Izmail increased by 20%, reaching 715 units, with an average daily unloading at 84 wagons per day. This increase in volumes contributed to an increase in the rates for domestic rail transportation by an average of $ 1 compared to the previous period.

- WATER LOGISTICS
The growth of demand is also observed in the segment of water transportation, which has caused some changes in freight rates. The owners of coasters used a decrease in the free tonnage offer, increasing the tariff indicators by an average of $ 2 per ton. At the same time, rates for transportation by panamaxes and hendisayzami remain stable due to the presence of free ships. This situation is fixed in the barge market in the Danube ports, where tariffs remain unchanged due to a sufficient number of available tonnage.

Oct 09 - NITRO Shipping Freight Report for Grains

AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The Azov Sea market has slowed its rapid activity, with only a limited number of fixtures reported this week. Following last Friday's news on wheat, Turkish buyers have begun to lower their prices. As a result, the prices for nearly all grain commodities and pulses have declined this week. Most shipowners are still reluctant to reduce freight rates and are hopeful that the market will at least sustain its current levels.

BALTIC SEA: The Baltic Sea market is gradually rebounding, with an increase in cargo activity noted this week.

CASPIAN SEA: The Caspian Basin freight market is witnessing a revival, as exporters are keen to lock in shipments at more competitive rates. This surge in activity is largely spurred by increased exports from river ports, influenced by adverse weather conditions and the conclusion of the harvest season. While Iranian ports are facing considerable delays in discharging, Amirabad has shown improvement this week. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is bolstering its export capacity and attracting more vessels.

FAR EAST: The market has shown no changes this week.

Oct 09 - Algeria buys about 500,000 T wheat in tender, traders say
Algeria’s state grains agency OAIC has purchased about 500,000 metric tons of milling wheat in an international tender that closed on Tuesday, European traders said. This was up from initial trader estimates of 360,000 to 390,000 tons.

Oct 09 - EU 2024/25 soft wheat exports down 29% by Oct 6, data still incomplete
Soft wheat exports from the European Union since the start of the 2024/25 season in July had reached 6.35 million metric tons by Oct. 6, down 29% from 8.9 million tons a year earlier, data published by the European Commission showed on Tuesday. EU barley exports totalled 1.53 million tons, down 36% from 2.39 million tons in the corresponding period for 2023/24.

Oct 08 - Weekly Ocean rates - Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) fell 15% to $5,760/FEU.   
- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) fell 22% to $6,744/FEU.
- Asia-North Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) fell 20% to $4,075/FEU.
- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) fell 13% to $4,476/FEU.

- The ILA port worker strike ended last Thursday after the union accepted the USMX offer of a 62% wage increase over the next six years, and agreed to extend the expired contract until a January 15th deadline to resolve the remaining sticking points, with the role of port automation chief among them.
Some speculate that the USMX will try to leverage its wage concession toward a compromise on automation. But even after the wage agreement last week the union remained vocally opposed to any automation or semi-automation that would eliminate ILA jobs, so the new deadline is now marked on many calendars. But with the wage issue settled and the sides heading back to face-to-face negotiations for the first time since June, there is reason for some optimism. The end of the strike meant ports reopened on Friday, but the three day shutdown was enough to create a significant backlog of containers at ports with estimates of between 45 and 60 vessels waiting at anchor across East Coast and Gulf ports.
- Many industry experts estimate the three day backlog could take two or three weeks or more to clear. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, however, didn’t think the short closure and the 19 waiting ships were much worse than backlogs typical following winter storm shutdowns, and was optimistic that operations could recover by as early as the end of this week.
- In the meantime, shippers with containers at the ports or on vessels at anchor or due to arrive soon will likely continue to experience delays, while the level of disruption for arrivals further out will depend on how soon ports can restore fluidity. With ports reopening carriers have resumed reefer export bookings and have restarted the clocks for detention and demurrage charges too.
- Carriers introduced rate increases for transatlantic containers in anticipation of the strike and last week prices were 44% higher than in early September at $2,331/kg. In addition to the capacity being absorbed by East Coast backlogs from the strike, several European hubs, including Hamburg, are experiencing significant congestion which is also restraining supply and putting some upward pressure on rates. Carriers are also planning to reduce deployed capacity on this lane later in the month in the hope of preventing rates from falling back to the $1,600 - $1,800/FEU level they had maintained for much of the year.
- Transpacific ocean rates to both coasts had been easing in the lead up to the strike, and continued to do so during the closures, with last week’s rates more than 30% below highs reached in July. Ocean carriers had announced surcharges ranging from $1,000/FEU to $4,500/FEU in anticipation of disruptions due to the strike. But as most of these would only have gone into effect in mid-October or later they hadn’t impacted spot rates yet, and carriers have now suspended these new charges.
- With the strike over and peak season demand largely behind us from a significant pull forward of volumes in the last couple months, transpacific container rates should continue to ease on the seasonal lull in volumes between peak season and Lunar New Year. East Coast congestion caused by the strike, however, may slow the pace of the decline for these lanes if operations take several weeks to recover.
- As long as Red Sea diversions continue to absorb capacity across the market though, we should not expect rates to fall much below the floor reached back in April when transpacific rates fell to $3,000/FEU to the West Coast and $4,000/FEU to the East Coast – about double typical levels.
The early start and now early end to peak season for Asia - Europe trade, necessary to account for the longer lead times caused by Red Sea diversions, has led to a 53% drop in rates since mid-July, though at $4,075/FEU last week prices are still above the $3,300/FEU floor hit in April.  Prices to the Mediterranean have decreased 42% from their July peak, but at $4,476/FEU are just about back to their April level.

Oct 08 - Weekly Air rates - Freightos Air index

- China - N. America weekly prices increased 20% to $7.07/kg.
- China - N. Europe weekly prices fell 4% to $3.83/kg.
- N. Europe - N. America weekly prices increased 3% to $1.79/kg.

- The strike did lead to some ocean to air shift reflected in climbing rates on some lanes, and we may see some continued pressure on air cargo rates as long as some importers continue to expedite shipment of some essential inventories until stuck containers are received and ocean operations stabilize.
- Freightos Air Index data shows Europe - N. America air cargo rates have increased 4% to $1.79/kg since early September, possibly reflecting some shift of transatlantic ocean volumes to air.  
- Transpacific air cargo rates did not climb much in the lead up to the strike, but once the strike started China - N. America rates jumped to $7.07/kg from $5.91/kg the previous week. Rates on this lane have not been at or above $7/kg since peak season last year, and only briefly. So rates may be increasing on an increase of transpacific demand due to the strike and are climbing from an already elevated floor due to the surge of e-commerce volumes out of China that have kept rates around $6/kg for most of the year.  
Meanwhile, rates to Europe – still well above typical levels for this time of year due to e-commerce volumes – were about level last week at $3.83/kg, which may indicate that the price increase to N. America is strike driven.
- Middle East - N America air cargo rates were up to $3.06/kg last week, which is 30% higher than in mid-September and may reflect some ocean to sea-air shift due to the East Coast strike as well.

Oct 08 - Ukraine says Russian missiles strike two Black Sea grain vessels
A Russian missile hit a Palau-flagged vessel in Ukraine’s southern port of Odesa on Monday, killing a Ukrainian national and injuring five crew membersin the second such attack in as many days, officials said. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X that the two ships were damaged in the Black Sea grain-export hub without giving details on the ships' conditions. He condemned Russia's actions.

Oct 08 - Saudi Arabia buys 307,000 tons of wheat in tender, GFSA says
Saudi Arabia has purchased 307,000 metric tons of wheat in a tender for arrival between December and January, the GFSA state buying agency said on Monday. The tender sought hard wheat with 12.5% protein, with the purchase was slightly above the 295,000 tons sought.

Oct 07 - Turkish flour mills seek relaxation of wheat import ban
Turkey's flour mills are seeking a relaxation of the country's ban on wheat imports, the mills' association said on Friday. Turkey, the world's largest flour exporter, banned wheat imports in June until Oct. 15, 2024, to protect farmers from low prices, promote domestic procurement of grains by the Turkish state grain board TMO and create a favourable market for farmers.

Oct 07 - Algeria tenders to buy nominal 50,000 T soft milling wheat, traders say
Algeria's state grains agency OAIC has issued an international tender to buy soft milling wheat to be sourced from optional origins, European traders said on Sunday. The tender sought a nominal 50,000 metric tons but Algeria often buys considerably more in its tenders than the nominal volume sought.

Oct 04 - US port strike ends, but clearing long ship queues will take time
U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports began reopening on Thursday night after dockworkers and port operators reached a wage deal to settle the industry's biggest work stoppage in nearly half a century, but clearing the cargo backlog will take time. At least 54 container ships queued up outside the ports over three days as the strike prevented unloading and threatened shortages of everything from bananas to auto parts.

Oct 04 - Kazakhstan seeks clarity from Russia over grain transit
Kazakhstan has asked Moscow to prove claims it has breached rules on plant health, the reason cited by Moscow for an effective ban of imports and transit of Kazakh grain, Kazakh officials said on Thursday. Russia is also a key transit country for other Kazakh exports such as oil and uranium, and trade tensions could make market players nervous about the steady supply of those commodities.

Oct 03 - NITRO Shipping Freight Report for Grains

- AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The Azov Sea basin experienced another week of increased freight activity. 3'k wheat lot rose from the low 30's at the beginning of last week to about usd 40 pmt fiost to this week and continue to firm up further. Grain traders are ready to pay better to secure tonnage for middle and end October dates already as the market is firming up fast. Owners, on the other hand, prefer to wait closer to vessel opening to fix at higher levels.

- BALTIC SEA: The Baltic Sea market continues to be weak, with plenty of prompt opening positions suitable employment opportunities.

- CASPIAN SEA: The market is steadily rebounding and approaching the levels seen in the past two weeks. The recent stabilization of freight rates, following a decrease in
enthusiasm surrounding the corn export quota, indicates that the market is adapting to changing conditions. This shift may result in more consistent rates in the future.

- FAR EAST: The market is more less stable nowadays.

Oct 03 - Russian grain exporters' lobby urges curbs on low price exports
Russia's export volumes from the first quarter of the 2024-2025 season were excessive, the country's grain exporters' union said on Wednesday, calling for a quota mechanism to limit shipments. The union said the first quarter export volume was roughly 17 million metric tons, citing preliminary data, already a quarter of the new season's export potential.

Oct 03 - Union Pacific says FXE issuing some US-Mexico grain shuttle permits
Union Pacific Corp said on Wednesday that Ferromex, the Mexican railroad it interchanges with, has resumed issuing permits for grain shuttle trains at the U.S.-Mexico border crossing at Eagle Pass, Texas. FXE could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

Oct 02 - Ukrainian Weekly Freight Report (SPIKE BROKERS)

- AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS
In September, agricultural exports remained at the level of August, reaching 330 thousand tons, which is due to the almost complete absence of transitional residues from the previous year. The changes affected the distribution of volumes in different directions. In particular, the Polish border was reduced by 9% compared to August, to 140 thousand tons. At the same time, the Romanian border saw an increase in exports by 10% to 83 thousand tons. The Hungarian border also showed a positive trend, increasing by 12% and completing the month with an index of 32.7 thousand tons. The Moldovan and Slovak borders have kept the previous volumes — 50 thousand tons and 24.7 thousand tons, respectively. Active demand for domestic transportation has led to an increase in tariffs by an average of 3$, while tariffs for international transportation remained at the level of the previous week.

- RAILWAY LOGISTICS
The average daily indicator of export shipments by rail in September remained at the level of August, making up 206 cars per day. This is due to the procrastination of farmers with the sale of products in anticipation of more competitive prices. Changes in the volume of shipments across different borders were insignificant. On the Polish border, the volume of carriage transfer remained almost unchanged - 50.49 cars per day. On the Hungarian border, there was an increase in volumes by 14%, to 32.45 cars per day, and in the Slovak border, the increase was 15%, to 29.86 cars per day. At the same time, the Romanian border saw a decline of 2.4%, to 51.69 cars per day.
Unloading wagons with grain in the direction of the Black Sea ports ranged in the range of 900-1200 cars per day. At the end of September (30.09) the number of cars moving towards the ports of Greater Odessa was 5402 units, which is 16.7% more than the previous week. The accumulation of wagons in the port of Izmail decreased by 13%, to 596 units, and the average daily discharge increased by 9.7%, to 79 wagons per day. Availability of free private cars and independence from CTL cars allowed to slightly increase the tariffs for transportation within 1-3$.

- WATER LOGISTICS
Increased trade activity and increase in the number of orders changed the balance in the market in favor of shipowners. The cost of freight for the Handysizes in the direction of eastern Italy and Spain increased by 2$. The coster market also recorded an increase in rates of 1$. At the same time, due to the limited demand for barges, tariffs for transportation from Danube ports remain low. Freight rates for panamaxes have not changed due to lack of active demand.

Oct 02 - White House sides with union as dockworker strike enters second day
President Joe Biden’s administration heaped pressure on U.S. port employers to raise their offer to secure a labor deal with dockworkers on strike for a second day on Wednesday, choking half the country’s ocean shipping. The strike by the International Longshoremen's Association union has blocked everything from food to automobile shipments across dozens of ports from Maine to Texas in a disruption analysts warn will cost the economy billions of dollars a day.

Oct 02 - Morocco to import more wheat from Russia than France in 2024/25, grain traders chief
Russia is expected to be Morocco's top soft wheat supplier this 2024/25 season, surpassiFng France, the head of the Moroccan grain traders' association Omar Yacoubi said on Tuesday. Morocco needs to import 5 million metric tons of soft wheat, after a meagre domestic harvest due to drought, he told Reuters.

Oct 02 - What products could be affected by the port strike? - moneywatch
By Kate Gibson

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: October 1, 2024 / 5:30 PM EDT / CBS News

The first dockworkers strike at major East and Gulf coast ports in almost half a century could soon mean shortages of bananas and pricier imported cherries at U.S. grocery stores. That's because both fruits are among the more than 100 categories of food that depend on the now-shuttered operations, with the labor dispute also expected to delay auto shipments.

Just how much American consumers and the U.S. economy will be impacted by the strike's immediate disruption of ports that handle about half of the country's trade in cargo containers depends on the duration of the work stoppage, now in its first day.

"Each day that this goes on it creates a backlog of containers and ships," American Farm Bureau Federation economist Daniel Munch told CBS MoneyWatch. "A 3-to-5-day strike will take two weeks to clear — if it goes into three-week territory, it will be early January before it gets cleared."

How much do dockworkers make? Here are the striking workers' salaries.
Food products likely to be impacted in the nearer term include seafood, coffee and fruits and vegetables grown outside the U.S.  And while retailers that likely stocked up beforehand are buffered against an immediate impact, "at some point bananas are going to expire, frozen seafood is going to defrost," Munch said.

The strike, depending on its length, is going to felt by consumers and farmers who rely on the impacted ports to export containerized cargos of soybeans and shipments of poultry, said the economist, who urged both sides to work for a resolution.

"Within two to three weeks you should start seeing shortages," Andrew Coggins, a clinical professor of management and management science at Pace University's Lupin School of Business, told CBS MoneyWatch. "It is a big deal, especially if it lasts for a long time, because so much of what we use on a daily basis has at some point in its life traveled by ship or by water, or at least, some components," Coggins said.

The impact for U.S. consumers won't be immediate because companies learned to maintain backup supplies during the pandemic. "Before, there was a heavy reliance on just-in-time logistics. Then, when COVID hit and goods weren't coming in just-in-time from China and elsewhere, and the longshoremen were sick, it slowed everything down," he noted.

What products will be affected by the port strike
More than 75% of U.S. bananas arrive at ports handled by the International Longshoremen's Association, or ILA, according to the  farm bureau. Beyond the perishable fruit, nearly 90% of imported cherries, 85% of canned foodstuffs, 82% of hot peppers and 80% of chocolate that arrive via waterborne vessels are offloaded from containers at this ports, Munch noted.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday warned of possible banana shortages, telling a news conference at Port Authority headquarters: "I do not want to be in a position to say, 'Yes, we have no bananas,' but we could get to that point."

Much of the state's food supply is shipped by truck or rail from upstate and other states, or Canada and Mexico, and pharmaceuticals are flown in, Hochul said.

The automobile industry could feel a more immediate impact, however, with Hochul cautioning would-be buyers to call ahead.

"If you're expecting a new car this week, it may be something you want to check with your dealer. It may not be arriving, for example, in the next few weeks," she warned.

Imported beverages also at risk from dock strike
Beverages are also at risk of being in short supply or subject to price increases, with 80% of imported beer, wine, whiskey and scotch, as well as 60% of rum, arriving at East and Gulf coast ports, the farm bureau noted.

Retailers and importers of nonagricultural goods had sped up shipments in anticipation of the strike, and some ships were diverted to West Coast ports where workers are not among those striking.


"Our commodities that we export and Walmart definitely will be impacted," said Coggins. Some overseas goods might be rerouted to Mexico and sent out by rail or truck, he noted.

The strike could also prove an issue for American farmers and U.S. agricultural exports, leading to an overabundance of American-grown commodities domestically.

"Approximately 14% of all U.S. waterborne agricultural exports, by volume, would be at risk," wrote Munch. "Over a one-week period, the potential value of disrupted containerized ag exports is estimated at $318 million."

Oct 01 - Weekly Ocean rates - Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) fell 1% to $6,816/FEU.
- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) fell 3% to $8,693/FEU.
- Asia-N. Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) fell 6% to $5,074/FEU.
- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) fell 3% to $5,142/FEU.

- The long-anticipated ILA port worker union strike across US East Coast and Gulf ports began Monday night at 12:01am after the ILA and USMX failed to come to an agreement before the deadline.
- In the last few days the White House and other government officials had been urging both sides to return to the negotiating table, with USMX leadership reportedly meeting with the Biden administration late last week.
- The USMX made a last minute 50% wage increase offer, which the ILA rejected as the union is reportedly seeking a 77% increase. The USMX filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board against the ILA last week, which, if accepted, would force the ILA back to the negotiating table, though the approval process could take several weeks.  In the last days before the strike logistics providers were hastening steps to minimize the impact of a strike as much as possible. Trucking firms were working to pull containers out of impacted ports before the shutdown. Carriers including ONE, Hapag-Lloyd, and MSC had some vessels omit East Coast port calls scheduled too close to the strike deadline, instead offloading all imports at other East Coast stops or in Mexico or Canada, though so far there haven’t been reports of outright diversions to unscheduled East Coast alternatives or to the West Coast.
- Some carriers have stopped accepting new reefer bookings for the East Coast and many are rolling out significant surcharges for new dry container bookings in October, which are likely to push East Coast rates up even while the ports are closed. Several carriers have announced they will stop the clock on detention and demurrage charges for containers stuck on container yards during the strike, with the FMC also warning against unfair D+D charges.
- Though container and intermodal capacity limits at alternative ports in Mexico and Canada do not make them viable options for a full-scale shift of impacted volumes, a three-day labor strike at two of the Port of Montreal’s five container terminals, is not helping matters either.
- It remains to be seen if the ILA will implement a sustained wide scale strike or some alternative – like strikes only at some key ports, only on certain days, or a slow down of operations at some or all ports – instead.  Some observers think that due to the economic implications of a prolonged full-scale strike and the political pressure it would place on the Biden administration, the ILA may prefer more limited actions and reduce the likelihood of government intervention.
- In any case, there are reportedly about 40 vessels slated to arrive just at the Port of New York/New Jersey this week, and the large majority will likely arrive and wait if the ports are shut down. Congestion and backlogs from a strike will cause delays for shippers with containers at the ports or on those or additional arriving vessels and – as already reflected in carrier surcharges – will push freight rates up.
- Demand had already shifted somewhat to the West Coast in the last few months, and a prolonged shutdown will intensify that trend. Demand increases or actual diverted vessels to the West Coast will likely push rates up there as well despite a projected overall decrease in import container volumes to the US in October.
The Ports of LA/Long Beach, as well as ports in the Pacific Northwest report fluid operations and preparedness for a sudden increase in volumes. But a prolonged strike and a significant shift of demand and port calls to the West Coast could eventually overwhelm the ports and lead to congestion that would further slow down operations, tie up capacity and push rates up.
- A long-enough strike on the East Coast would eventually be felt in capacity and empty container shortages in Europe, and significant enough congestion on the West Coast could likewise impact equipment availability at Asian origin hubs, affecting intra-Asia and Asia - Europe shipping as well.

Oct 01 - Weekly Air rates - Freightos Air index

- China - N. America weekly prices increased 9% to $5.91/kg.
- China - N. Europe weekly prices increased 8% to $3.97/kg.
- N. Europe - N. America weekly prices increased 1% to $1.73/kg.

- The anticipation of the strike has already pushed some shippers, especially of perishable goods, from ocean to air cargo. Freightos Air Index data for Latin America - N. America and N. America - Europe rates don't reflect an uptick in air cargo prices yet, though Europe - N. America rates have increased 4% to $1.73/kg since early September.
- China - N. America air rates increased 9% last week to $5.91/kg. This climb could reflect the beginning of air peak season, with prices already above typical peak season levels from the ongoing surge of e-commerce volumes. Though hubs in China are not reporting operational slow downs yet, some congestion is forming in Singapore and Vietnam, with the Philippines experiencing severe backlogs.

Oct 01 - US East Coast dockworkers strike, in blow to shipping imports and exports
Dockworkers along the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast began a strike, halting the flow of about half the nation's ocean shipping after negotiations for a new labor contract broke down over wages. The strike blocks everything from food to automobile shipments across dozens of ports from Maine to Texas, in a disruption analysts warned will cost the economy billions of dollars a day, threaten jobs, and stoke inflation.

Oct 01 - BNSF rail to resume issuing grain shuttle permits to Mexico, company says
Berkshire Hathaway-owned BNSF Railway will resume issuing permits for grain shuttles heading to Mexico starting Tuesday, the company told Reuters on Monday, in a move that could help ease some delays impacting agricultural exports. The news comes as U.S. East and Gulf Coast port workers are set to go on strike on Tuesday, with no talks currently scheduled to head off a stoppage.

Sep 30 - India allows non-basmati white rice exports in boost for global supplies
India gave the go-ahead on Saturday for exports of non-basmati white rice to resume as inventories in the world's biggest exporter of the grain surge and farmers prepare to harvest a new crop in the coming weeks. Bigger rice shipments from India would beef up overall global supplies and soften international prices by forcing other major exporters of the staple such as Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam to reduce their rates, traders said.

Sep 30 - South Korea’s MFG passes in 70,000 T corn tender, traders say
South Korea's Major Feedmill Group is believed to have rejected all offers and made no purchase in an international tender to buy up to 70,000 metric tons of animal feed corn on Friday, European traders said. Prices were regarded as too high. The lowest offer was estimated to be $245.45 a ton cost and freight included plus a plus a $1.50 a ton surcharge for additional port unloading said to have been submitted by trading house Olam.

Sep 27 - Russia expands Baltic ports as it eyes new grain markets
Russia, the world's leading wheat exporter, is expanding its Baltic Sea ports as it aims to boost agricultural exports by 50% by 2030 while reducing dependence on traditional Black Sea routes, officials and executives said. The country, which exported at least 72 million metric tons of grain in the 2023/24 season, is looking at new markets in Latin America and Africa to diversify from its traditional grain markets in North Africa and the Middle East.

Sep 27 - Jordan tenders to buy up to 120,000 T feed barley, traders say
Jordan's state grains buyer has issued an international tender to purchase up to 120,000 metric tons of animal feed barley, European traders said on Thursday. The deadline for submission of price offers in the tender is Oct. 2.

Sep 26 - NITRO Shipping Freight Report for Grains

AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The market has risen this week due to uncertainty about whether Turkey will extend or lift its potential wheat export ban starting in the mid of October, along with significant delays of vessels in the Azov Sea. Owners see workable levels of low-mid 30's usd pmt fiost bss 3'k wheat ex Rostov to Marmara. However, opinions among market participants differ on future trends, as trading activity is not robust enough to sustain such an increase in freight rates.

BALTIC SEA: The Baltic Sea remains stagnant, and the market is experiencing low activity.

CASPIAN SEA: The Caspian region has significantly gained momentum in recent days, driven by the announcement of increased export tariffs. Consequently, freight rates are experiencing a rise. Additionally, delays in unloading vessels in Iran have intensified pressure on freight rates, further supporting this upward trend.

FAR EAST: The market is sluggish, with minimal activity in grain cargo exports. Additionally, the recent adverse weather conditions have led shipowners to be wary of committing to long-distance voyages.

Sep 26 - Weekly Ocean rates - Freightos Baltic Index

- Asia-US West Coast prices (FBX01 Weekly) increased 1% to $6,875/FEU.
- Asia-US East Coast prices (FBX03 Weekly) fell 4% to $8,952/FEU.
- Asia-N. Europe prices (FBX11 Weekly) decreased 17% to $5,412/FEU.
- Asia-Mediterranean prices (FBX13 Weekly) fell 10% to $5,277/FEU.

- Less than five days remain before the ILA’s current contract expires and, most likely, a large-scale strike begins. The ILA and USMX have not met face to face since June and remain far apart on key issues like wage increases and port automation.
- Multiple shipper associations have reached out to the White House asking it to intervene. The vocally pro-union administration has stated that it does not intend to end a strike via the Taft-Hartley Act. At the same time, with the economic impact of a port shutdown estimated at several billion dollars per day and election day approaching, the administration will also be under pressure not to allow a strike to stretch on too long.
- In expectation of a strike starting Monday night, ports, carriers and regulators are getting ready.

An ILA strike on the East Coast and Gulf would completely shut down many ports and could effectively paralyze some that employ both ILA and non-union labor, while other hybrid ports will be able to keep some terminals running.
- Many of the major container hubs have extended their gate and terminal hours, including over the final weekend before the strike. Ports and rail operators are also setting deadlines for final pick-up and drop-offs, with particular concern for reefer shipments getting moved from the ports or loaded on vessels before the deadline to avoid going unattended on container yards.
- Some ocean carriers have stopped accepting new export bookings in anticipation of the strike.  Hapag-Lloyd announced that containers already en route to affected ports will not be rerouted, and many carriers have rolled out surcharges ranging from $400 to $3,000/FEU for all East Coast and Gulf containers starting in October.
During the pandemic, many shippers accrued significant storage charges on containers they were unable to move off container yards due to extreme port congestion. In anticipation of stuck containers during a strike the FMC has issued an advisory this week warning carriers and operators against unfair charges this time, with some already announcing they will stop the clock on detention and demurrage charges during the strike.
- Though many containers and vessels will be stuck on the East Coast and Gulf until operations resume, others will be diverted or shifted to West Coast services. Despite a record number of containers arriving at West Coast hubs last month, operations remained smooth. Operators attribute some of this success to lessons learned during the pandemic – including increased warehouse capacity, better chassis management, and off-site container yards – which should allow them to handle a sudden volume surge reasonably well in the event of a strike.
- But with ILA ports accounting for roughly half of all US container traffic, a prolonged shutdown would still result in West Coast port congestion and delays, which would contribute to additional upward pressure on rates alongside the increase in demand. A prolonged strike would also eventually impact vessel and container availability at origin ports in Europe and Asia, which could spread the strike’s impact beyond North America causing delays and rate increases for all lanes out of those hubs.

Sep 26 - Weekly Air rates - Freightos Air index

- China - N. America weekly prices decreased 6% to $5.43/kg.
- China - N. Europe weekly prices fell 2% to $3.67/kg.
- N. Europe - N. America weekly prices increased 2% to $1.72/kg.

Sep 26 - Shippers scramble for workarounds ahead of threatened US port strike
U.S. companies that rely on East and Gulf Coast seaports have been importing early, shifting goods to the West Coast, and even putting cargo on pricey flights to hedge against a threatened Oct. 1 strike that could jam supply chains and reignite inflation ahead of the U.S. presidential election. "This is just another headache after everything else we've been dealing with," said Kenneth Sanchez, CEO of Chesapeake Specialty Products, which sends goods like metallic abrasives and foundry sand additives used to make engine blocks and transmissions to customers around the world.

Sep 26 - Brazil drought dries river and stops shipping on key grains corridor
A widespread drought in Brazil has halted the transport of grains through the Madeira river, an important northern waterway linking key croplands with the country's ports, regional port terminals association Amport said on Wednesday. The Madeira river is a key corridor for shipping products from Rondonia state and parts of Mato Grosso state, Brazil's top soy producer, to export terminals located in the country's northern states.

Sep 25 - Ukrainian Weekly Freight Report (SPIKE BROKERS)

Traded freight
Automotive logistics (dump trucks):
· Kyiv region. - Cherkasy region (heather-yellow) @890₴ with VAT

- AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS
There is a slight revival in the agricultural export market, caused by the start of the harvesting campaign. Export volumes remain stable, there are no sharp fluctuations, but some changes in the distribution along the borders have been observed.
Over the past week, 81.5 thousand tons of agricultural products have been exported. A decrease in exports at the Moldovan border is recorded - 12.99 thousand tons, which is 7% less than in the previous week. At the same time, the Romanian and Hungarian borders are experiencing an increase in exports by 14% and 11%, respectively, reaching indicators of 20.3 thousand tons and 8.3 thousand tons, respectively. The Polish border showed an increase of 6%, which increased to 33.6 thousand tons, and the Slovak border increased by 5%, reaching 6.25 thousand tons.
The increased demand led to an increase in transportation tariffs to Europe, an average of €5, while domestic tariffs remain at the prior-week level.

- RAILWAY LOGISTICS
The activity of trade exports is gradually being restored, which contributes to an increase in the load of grain cargoes to 79.66 thousand tons per day. Export volumes across Polish and Slovak borders remain almost the same as last week, accounting for 54.64 and 27.23 scales/day, respectively.
On the Romanian border, there is an increase of 5%, to 51.05 weights per day, while on the Hungarian border there was a significant increase of 20%, to 28.18 weights per day. The average daily rate of carriage transfer across all borders increased by 6%, to 197 cars.
4629 cars are moving in the direction of deep-sea ports of Ukraine, which is 10% more than in the previous week. The average daily discharge rate also shows an increase of 5%, up to 984 cars per day. The accumulation of wagons in the port of Izmail increased by 10%, to 686 wagons, but the average daily discharge rate decreased slightly and is 72 scales per day.
Car owners remain in anticipation of increased demand in October and carefully record the tariffs for the next month, hoping to increase them. The instability and unpredictability of the market led to a sporadic decline in rates last week.

- WATER LOGISTICS
The growth of exports intensified the market a little, which led to an increase in freight rates by 2$ from the Danube ports towards Italy. However, the available export volumes are still insufficient for the initiative to take over the side of shipowners. The presence of free tonnage in ports continues to restrain further growth of rates, leaving them at the level of the previous week.
Freight on the barge remains at minimum levels, waiting for an increase in the flow of goods that has not yet occurred.

Sep 25 - White House monitoring US port talks, considering supply chain impacts
Officials from President Joe Biden's administration are monitoring labor talks but not trying to broker a labor deal to avert an Oct. 1 strike at U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports that handle roughly half of the country's ocean imports, administration officials said on Tuesday. Negotiations between the International Longshoremen's Association union and the United States Maritime Alliance employer group appear to be deadlocked over pay as the Sept. 30 contract expiration approaches.

Sep 25 - Argentina grains exports could hit four-year high in 2024/25 season, exchange says
Grains and oilseed output in Argentina could reach up to 143 million metric tons in the 2024/25 season under normal weather conditions, which could boost exports to their highest volume in four years, the Rosario grains exchange said on Tuesday, Given normal conditions, exports of the country's soy, corn, wheat and other crops could rise to 101.5 million tons, the exchange said in a since the 2020/21 season.

Sep 24 - Rice from Vietnam/Myanmar offered lowest in Indonesia’s tender, traders say
The lowest price offered in the international tender from Indonesian state purchasing agency Bulog buy about 450,000 metric tons of rice was estimated at $539.30 a ton cost and freight for rice expected to be sourced from either Vietnam or Myanmar, European traders said on Monday. The lowest offer was said to have been made for up to 30,200 tons.

Sep 24 - Iran's SLAL tenders for 120,000 T feed barley, traders say
Iranian state-owned animal feed importer SLAL has issued an international tender to buy at least 120,000 metric tons of animal feed barley, European traders said on Monday.
The deadline for submission of price offers in the tender is Tuesday, Sept. 24, they said.

Sep 23 - Taiwan’s MFIG tenders to buy up to 65,000 metric tons corn
Taiwan's MFIG purchasing group has issued an international tender to buy up to 65,000 metric tons of animal feed corn which can be sourced from the United States, Brazil or South Africa, European traders said on Friday. The deadline for submission of price offers in the tender is Sept. 25, they said.

Sep 23 - Jordan tenders to buy up to 120,000 metric tons feed barley, traders say
Jordan's state grains buyer has issued an international tender to purchase up to 120,000 metric tons of animal feed barley, European traders said on Monday. The deadline for submission of price offers in the tender is Sept. 25. A new announcement had been expected after Jordan made no purchase in its previous tender for 120,000 tons of barley on Thursday.

Sep 20 - China soybean imports from US gain pace in AugustChina's soybean imports from the United States rose 70% in August from a year earlier, customs data showed on Friday, as buyers took advantage of low soybean prices. Shipments from the U.S., its second-biggest supplier, have gained pace since April, though volume remains much smaller than top producer Brazil.

Sep 19 - Port strike on US East Coast would spark supply-chain glitches from outset, shipping firm exec says
A threatened Oct. 1 strike by dockworkers at ports on the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico would immediately disrupt the flow of goods in the country, the North America chief executive of French container carrier CMA CGM said on Wednesday. The International Longshoremen's Association union represents 45,000 workers at 36 ports including New York/New Jersey, Houston and Savannah, Georgia.  

Sep 19 - FranceAgriMer slashes soft wheat export forecasts after poor crop
FranceAgriMer on Wednesday sharply lowered its forecast for French soft wheat exports in 2024/25, after a rain-hit harvest strongly lowered supplies in the European Union's top grain producer. In a supply and demand outlook, the office pegged exports outside the 27-member bloc at 4 million metric tons, down from an initial projection of 7.5 million in July and now 61% below last season's level.

Sept 18 - NITRO Shipping Weekly Freight Report for Grains

- AZOV SEA & BLACK SEA: The Azov Sea market is gradually strengthening this week. Many vessels remain stranded in Rostov, Azov, and at Kerch due to significantly low
water levels resulting from eastern winds. Charterers are willing to increase their offers slightly, by (1-2 usd pmt fiost), to secure tonnage for both short and long hauls.
Transshipment trade continues to be robust.

- BALTIC SEA: The Baltic Sea region remains at low levels, and there are few cargoes available.

- CASPIAN SEA: This week, the Caspian basin is experiencing unstable dynamics, with the market remaining relatively stable but exhibiting minor fluctuations. There has been
an influx of vessels from the Azov-Black Sea basin, which is expected to impact the market shortly.

- FAR EAST: The market has shown continued weakness in recent days.

Sep 18 - Ukrain Weekly Freight Report (SPIKE BROKERS)

Traded freight
Railway logistics (eurocars):
· Chop, Ukraine - Northern Italy (October) @41€->44€

- AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS
The gradual resumption of trade activity caused an increase in agricultural exports by 15% compared to the previous week, reaching 80.7 thousand tons. The largest changes are recorded at the Moldovan border, where export volume increased by 31% to 14.1 thousand tons. On the Polish border, a significant increase was also noted - by 20%, to 35.9 thousand tons. The Hungarian border shows an increase of 11% to 7.5 thousand tons, while the Slovak border increased by 4% to 5.9 thousand tons. The volume of exports across the Romanian border remains stable at 17.4 thousand tons.
The average daily export across all borders is 11.5 thousand tons, and the largest exported goods include sunflower oil (23.9 thousand tons) and soybeans (13.9 thousand tons). Domestic tariffs have increased by an average of 5%, while tariffs for international transportation remain stable at the level of the previous week.

Market rates of transportation by cars:
· zh. Ukraine - Center. / Mon. Italy @110-130€
· zh. Ukraine - center. Bulgaria @80-105€
· zh. Ukraine - Sh. Germany @105-120€
· center. Ukraine - PD. Romania @70-100€
· center. Ukraine - Mon. Italy (tank trucks) @150-180€
· zh. Ukraine - PD. Poland (tank trucks) @60-80€
· center. Ukraine - ports of the Danube @37-42$
· center. Ukraine - Ports of Odessa @25-32$

- RAILWAY LOGISTICS
The second week of September shows a decline in the rates of carriage transfer on the western borders of Ukraine. In particular, at the Polish and Romanian borders, the number of cars fell by 12%, to 53.61 and 48.47 cars per day, respectively. At the Slovak border, the figure remained almost unchanged and is 26.8 cars per day. The Hungarian border, on the contrary, showed an increase of 13%, to 22.47 cars per day. The total average daily rate of carriage transfer across all borders decreased by 4% compared to the previous week and is 185 cars per day.
In ports, there is an activation of work. The average daily rate of unloading wagons in the ports of Greater Odessa increased by 20% and is 936 wagons per day. 4180 cars are moving in the direction of deep-water ports of Ukraine, which corresponds to the previous week's indicator. The accumulation of wagons in the port of Izmail increased by 35%, to 619 units. The number of wagons unloaded in the port of Izmail also increased by 5% and is 74 units.
Tariffs for rail transportation remained unchanged.

Market rates of railway transportation:
· Lviv region. - border @15-20$ | port @26-30$
· Rivne region - border @17-20$ | port @23-28$
· Ivano-Frankivsk region. - border @15-20$ | port @23-26$
· Zhytomyr region - border @20-25$ | port @24-27$
· Chernihiv region.- border @23-28$ | port @25-29$
· Cherkasy region - border @22-29$ | port @19-26$
· Kharkiv region - border @28-35$ | port @25-30$
· Ternopil region - border @16-20$ | port @22-25$
· Mostyska II - Germany @49-51€

- WATER LOGISTICS
The intensification of trading activity has not led to an increase in freight rates due to the sufficient presence of tonnage. The rates for transportation from the Danube ports towards the east coast of Italy remain stable. The large number of available vessels in deep sea ports also constrains the growth of tariffs on destinations to Spain and Greece, keeping them at the previous level. Freight rates for barge transportation in the direction of Constanta also remain unchanged, despite problems with the draft on the Danube.

Market transportation rates from river ports:
· Izmail - Constanta, Romania (1-3 thousand tons) @10€
· Izmail - Ruse/Silistra, Bulgaria (1-3 thousand tons) @16€
· Ishmael - the eastern coast of Italy (5-7 thousand tons) @25-27$
· Reni - Marmara, Turkey (5-7 thousand tons) @17-18$

Market rates of transportation from seaports:
· Chornomorsk - the eastern coast of Italy (30-35 thousand tons) @21-22$
· Chernomorsk - PD. China (60-65 thousand tons) @48-50$
· Chernomorsk - PD. ʼVietnam (60-65 thousand tons) @45-46$