CN Sets New Grain Transport Record in 2025-26 Crop Year
Event summary
- CN moved a record 33.8 million metric tonnes of grain from Western Canada in 2025-26, surpassing the previous high of 32.6 MMT set in 2024-25.
- July 2026 saw CN transport 2.62 MMT of grain, breaking the prior July record of 2.43 MMT from 2020.
- The company attributes the performance to strong customer demand and operational execution.
- CN has released its 2026-27 Grain Plan outlining preparations for the upcoming harvest.
The big picture
CN's record grain transport highlights the critical role of rail logistics in North American agriculture. The performance underscores both operational efficiency and the infrastructure demands of a growing agricultural sector. As harvest patterns shift with climate change, CN's ability to manage capacity and reliability will be key to maintaining its competitive edge.
What we're watching
- Capacity Expansion
- How CN will sustain incremental capacity gains amid potential harvest variability.
- Supply Chain Coordination
- Whether the close collaboration across the grain supply chain can be maintained during peak periods.
- Operational Reliability
- The pace at which CN integrates its 2026-27 Grain Plan to ensure consistent service levels.