Wheat Shipping Costs Rise Across Major Japan Routes

U.S. wheat exporters are facing higher transportation costs to Japan in the second quarter of 2026, according to data from USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service.

The increase is attributed to higher truck, rail, and ocean freight rates. Ocean freight was especially costly, rising 18% quarter to quarter on Pacific Northwest routes and 26% through the Gulf.

Kansas-to-Pacific Northwest transportation costs rose 11% quarter to quarter and 9% year to year, while North Dakota-to-Pacific Northwest costs increased 10% from the first quarter and 14% from a year earlier. Gulf routes posted even larger increases, with Kansas-to-Gulf transportation costs climbing 16% quarter to quarter and 23% year to year.

As a result of these higher costs, U.S. wheat exports to Japan totaled about 18.4 million bushels in the second quarter, down 26% from the previous quarter and 7% from a year earlier.