BNSF Sees Shifting Grain Export Dynamics Heading Into 2026

Rail company says industry must adapt to new market realities as soybean exports to China remain low.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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BNSF Railway's commodity portfolio manager Rachel Lemieux says the grain export industry must prepare for a set of dynamics unlike those seen in the past, as shifting export patterns force the industry to adapt. With reduced Chinese demand for soybeans, the industry will need to work harder to place soybeans into alternative markets like Mexico, eastern U.S. processors, and the Central Gulf.

Why it matters

Grain logistics and rail transportation are critical components of the agricultural supply chain. As export patterns shift, the industry must be flexible and responsive to changing market conditions to ensure efficient movement of commodities to domestic and international buyers.

The details

Lemieux, who manages BNSF's soybean, oats, milo, and corn traffic, said her conversations with producers, country elevators, and other stakeholders at the Northern Corn and Soybean Expo in Fargo focused on understanding local-level conditions and how they feed into the broader grain export system. She noted that the transition from 2025 to 2026 will require increased flexibility across the supply chain, as the industry faces a set of dynamics unlike those seen in the past.

  • Lemieux spoke with the American Ag Network during the Northern Corn and Soybean Expo in Fargo in February 2026.
  • The industry is preparing for a transition from 2025 into 2026, a period Lemieux described as one that will require flexibility across the supply chain.

The players

Rachel Lemieux

Commodity portfolio manager at BNSF Railway, overseeing soybeans, oats, milo, and a portion of corn traffic.

BNSF Railway

A major American freight railroad network that transports a significant volume of agricultural commodities, including grains.

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What they’re saying

“Market participants should be prepared for a set of dynamics unlike those seen in the past, emphasizing the need for multiple logistical options and the ability to respond quickly as conditions change.”

— Rachel Lemieux, Commodity portfolio manager (American Ag Network)

What’s next

As producers and grain handlers plan for the year ahead, Lemieux said conversations with BNSF will remain critical in shaping how grain flows are managed and how export capacity is utilized in a changing global market environment.

The takeaway

The grain export industry must adapt to shifting market dynamics, including reduced Chinese demand for soybeans, by exploring alternative export channels and maintaining flexibility across the supply chain to ensure efficient movement of commodities to domestic and international buyers.