Canada - CPKC's assistant vice president of sales and marketing bulk Elizabeth Hucker says for the last three weeks they've moved an average of 539 thousand metric tonnes of grain per week.
 
She notes that's well below their weekly target of 683,850 metric tonnes outlined in the Grain Service Outlook Report.
 
"As of 25 Apr 2023 more than a quarter of our dedicated train capacity that grain shippers have contracted with CPKC is idle, with a number of trains that's down due to lack of demand. This low demand is not only undermining Canada's ability to maximize the export of grain to global markets, but it's also resulting in lost supply chain capacity that cannot be recovered."
 
Hucker says the only way to maximize the supply chain throughput is to have continuous, efficient, and balanced movement from in-country grain elevators to port terminals throughout the crop year.
 
CPKC represents the new merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern rail lines, the first and only transnational rail network in North America with the ability to move products (including grain) direct from Canada through to Mexico.
 
Hucker says it has only been a few weeks, but the mergers going well.
 
"We are actively getting our people and processes aligned in becoming CPKC, but full integration will take time because we want to get it right. What I would say though, is it's an exciting time, and I'm encouraged by the new opportunities that I see for Canada's grain to reach new markets in the southern US Gulf port and deep into the heart of Mexico. Our single carrier route will support increased trade flows, economic growth, and enhanced competition for shippers."
 
Glenda-Lee Vossler.