CPKC Sets New January Records for Canadian Grain Shipments as Supply Chain Investments Pay Off
Canadian Pacific Kansas City has begun 2026 on a strong note, announcing record-breaking performance in the movement of Canadian grain and grain products. The railway reported that in January 2026 it transported 2.395 million metric tonnes (MMT) of grain and grain-related commodities, marking the highest January volume in the company’s history. This achievement surpasses the previous January record established in 2023 and underscores CPKC’s growing role as a critical backbone of Canada’s agricultural export supply chain.
In addition to record tonnage, CPKC also set a new benchmark for monthly grain carloads, moving 24,688 grain carloads during the month. This figure likewise exceeded the prior high recorded in January 2023, highlighting both strong demand and improved operational efficiency across the network.
The results signal a robust start to the second half of the 2025–2026 crop year and reflect the combined effects of sustained capital investment, close collaboration with customers, and careful operational planning across one of North America’s most important freight corridors.
Strong Collaboration Drives Record Performance
CPKC leadership credited the milestone to close coordination with grain shippers, terminal operators, and other supply chain partners across Western Canada. According to Jonathan Wahba, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, the record volumes reflect a collective effort to move grain efficiently during a critical winter shipping period.
“By working closely with our grain customers and working efficiently with our supply chain collaborators, our railroaders have delivered record amounts of grain and grain products across Western Canada to start the year,” Wahba said. “This performance and record volumes have been made possible through significant investment in the grain supply chain made by CPKC and our customers in new and upgraded grain-handling capacity and high-capacity hopper cars.”
Wahba emphasized that the results were not driven by a single factor but rather by years of coordinated planning, infrastructure upgrades, and operational discipline. Grain supply chains are particularly sensitive to weather, labor availability, and terminal congestion, making January’s performance notable given the challenges typically associated with winter rail operations in Canada.
Investments in Infrastructure and Equipment Bear Fruit
A key driver behind the record-breaking volumes has been substantial investment in grain-handling infrastructure and rolling stock. Over recent years, CPKC and its customers have invested heavily in modern, high-throughput loading facilities, longer sidings, and high-capacity hopper cars designed to move more grain per train.
These investments have increased the railway’s ability to move larger volumes with fewer bottlenecks, allowing grain to flow more smoothly from inland elevators to export terminals. High-capacity hopper cars, in particular, have improved efficiency by maximizing payload per car while maintaining compliance with safety and axle-load standards.
At the same time, upgrades to grain elevators and terminal facilities have improved loading and unloading times, helping trains cycle faster through the system. The result is a supply chain that can handle higher volumes even during peak demand periods, such as the post-harvest shipping season.
Exceeding Supply Chain Capacity Targets
CPKC noted that the grain and grain product volumes moved in January exceeded the average supply chain capacity targets outlined in its annual grain service plan. These plans are developed each year to set expectations for rail capacity, service levels, and coordination with customers and ports.
Exceeding these targets reflects not only strong railway performance but also the need for continued alignment across the entire supply chain. CPKC stressed that sustaining this momentum will require all participants—including grain loading facilities and port terminal operators—to continue operating at or near full capacity.
“It is critical that all supply chain participants, including customer loading facilities and terminal operators loading grain into vessels at ports, operate at full capacity to sustain this strong momentum,” the company said.
This statement highlights a key reality of bulk commodity logistics: rail performance alone is not enough. Efficient vessel loading at ports, adequate storage capacity, and reliable downstream logistics are all essential to prevent congestion and maintain steady export flows.
Strong Mid-Crop-Year Performance
The January results build on a strong overall performance during the current crop year. Through the first 26 weeks of the 2025–2026 crop year, CPKC has shipped more than 15.1 MMT of grain and grain products, making it the strongest mid-year total since the record-setting 2020–2021 crop year.
That earlier period was marked by exceptional export demand and favorable operating conditions, making the current comparison particularly significant. Achieving similar volumes in today’s more complex operating environment reflects the resilience of both Canada’s grain sector and the railway systems that support it.
Grain and grain products remain one of Canada’s most important export categories, serving global markets across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Reliable rail transportation is essential to maintaining Canada’s reputation as a dependable supplier, especially in competitive global markets where delays can have lasting commercial consequences.
Winter Planning and Demand Forecasting Key to Success
CPKC emphasized that effective crop-year planning, winter readiness, and demand forecasting played a central role in achieving January’s record volumes. Winter operations present unique challenges for railways, including extreme cold, snow accumulation, and reduced train lengths due to braking requirements.
By anticipating demand and preparing resources in advance, CPKC was able to position locomotives, crews, and equipment where they were needed most. Advanced forecasting also allowed the railway to align capacity with customer shipping plans, reducing the risk of sudden surges or underutilization.
“Effective crop year and winter planning and demand forecasting helps prepare the railway so that CPKC can serve the needs of its customers, and by extension, the broader economy,” the company said.
This proactive approach is increasingly important as climate variability and global market shifts introduce greater uncertainty into agricultural logistics.
Supporting the Broader Canadian Economy
Beyond its importance to farmers and grain companies, CPKC’s record grain performance carries broader economic implications. Grain exports contribute billions of dollars annually to Canada’s economy, supporting rural communities, port cities, and downstream industries such as processing and logistics services.
Efficient rail service helps ensure that Canadian grain reaches international markets on time, supporting price competitiveness and long-term customer relationships. In turn, this reliability strengthens Canada’s position as one of the world’s leading agricultural exporters.
The January performance also demonstrates how strategic infrastructure investment can deliver tangible economic benefits. By expanding capacity and improving efficiency, CPKC and its partners have created a supply chain capable of handling growing demand while maintaining service reliability.
Source Link:https://www.cpkcr.com/en/media/Grain-Feb2026