The Panama Canal is experiencing a strong grain shipping season with dry bulkers registering record grain cargoes during the first two months of the current fiscal year. Based on the analysis by the Panama Canal's Marketing Division, in October, a total of 5.2 million long tons of grains were transported through the waterway, the highest level recorded since October 2011. In November, tonnage is likely to reach close to the record cargo tonnage of 6.3 million long tons of November 2011. Transits of Panamax-sized dry bulkers, with beams between 100 to 106 feet, have increased 22 percent given the surging grain trade.

It is expected that grain cargo movements will continue firm until the grain harvest begins in the Southern Hemisphere and additional grain supplies enter to compete in the market, said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano.

This year, grain production in the United States has benefitted from high yields, after experiencing a severe drought in the summer of 2013. According to the United States Department of Agriculture latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Report (WASDE), corn production is expected to be record at 371.5 million metric tons for the marketing year 2013/14 that began in September. This is equivalent to an increase of 30 percent compared with 320.1 million metric tons in 2012/2013. Soybean production is expected at 88.7 million metric tons, a 7.0 percent increase over the previous year, and soybean exports are estimated at 39.5 million metric tons, an increase of 10.0 percent.

Prices for major grains have declined in response to good production numbers and expectations that less corn will be required in the United States for ethanol production, which has contributed to increased grain demand from Asian buyers.

The surge in grain cargo flows through the Panama Canal has been particularly strong for shipments from the US Gulf to China," explained Maria Eugenia Sánchez, Senior Trade Specialist for the Panama Canal Dry Bulk Market Segment.

Corn, soybeans, sorghum, and wheat destined to China shared 81.0 percent of total grain tonnage through the waterway, up from 71.0 percent a year ago.