CPKC Hauls Record 2.4M Metric Tons Canadian Grain Jan. 2026

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) hauled 2.4 million metric tons (MMT) of Canadian grain and grain products in January 2026. The freight volume establishes a new record for January movements, surpassing the previous high mark set in 2023. This tonnage also exceeds the average supply chain capacity targets detailed in the Class I railway’s annual grain service plan.

Jonathan Wahba, CPKC senior vice president of sales and marketing, attributed the performance to close collaboration with grain customers and supply chain partners. “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 stated. The railway emphasized that sustained momentum requires all members of the grain supply chain to continue operating at full capacity.

The record rail movements coincide with external data indicating strengthening international demand for grains. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports from early February 2026 show a material increase in corn and wheat inspections for export. Concurrently, recent agricultural commodity reports confirm that China has been actively purchasing U.S. sorghum, suggesting a broader uptick in global grain procurement.

The operational achievement by CPKC provides a key data point on the North American rail network’s ability to handle heightened export volumes. The increased velocity of grain shipments from Western Canada is a direct result of capital allocation toward both fixed infrastructure and rolling stock.

Maintaining this record pace will be critical for CPKC and its partners. The alignment of increased rail capacity with strong export market signals presents a significant revenue opportunity for the grain supply chain.