Railway carloadings, May 2024
Released: 2024-07-23
32.0 million metric tonnes
May 2024
3.2% 
(12-month change)
Highlights
In May, the volume of cargo carried by Canadian railways totalled 32.0 million tonnes, up 3.2% from May 2023. Higher loadings of wheat (+50.4%) and canola (+41.0%) drove the overall increase in May 2024.
The total cargo moved was above the five-year average (31.4 million tonnes) for the month of May.
To further explore the latest data and historical trends in an interactive format, please visit the "Monthly Railway Carloadings: Interactive Dashboard."
Chart 1
Railway carloadings, total tonnage
The increase in rail traffic in May was the result of higher volumes across all types of rail operations: non-intermodal, intermodal and traffic from US connections.
Carloadings of wheat and canola continue rebound
Loadings of non-intermodal freight—mainly commodities—were up 4.0% year over year to 25.1 million tonnes in May. This growth was led by large increases of some agricultural and food products, most notably grains.
Carloadings of wheat increased 50.4% (+715 000 tonnes) year over year in May, mainly due to lower volumes in May 2023. Loadings of canola remained elevated in May 2024, rising 41.0% (+235 000 tonnes) from May 2023, after rebounding in April 2024 (+40.0%).
Year-over-year increases were also registered for fuel oils and crude petroleum (+12.2%) and iron ores and concentrates (+2.2%) in May.
Chart 2
Railway carloadings, largest commodity differences, May 2023 to May 2024
Carloadings of coal continue to decline
Growth in non-intermodal freight traffic was moderated by a decline in loadings of coal, dipping by 5.1% (-182 000 tonnes) in May from the same month last year, marking the fifth consecutive monthly decline.
This most recent drop is reflected in the decrease of Canada's exports of metal ores and non-metallic minerals during the same month.
Intermodal traffic remains stable
In May, intermodal shipments—mainly containers—originating in Canada totalled 3.1 million tonnes of freight transported, little changed from one year earlier (+1 383 tonnes).
American freight continues rise
In May, freight loadings from connections with American railways increased 0.9% compared with May 2023 to reach 3.8 million tonnes, marking the fourth consecutive monthly gain.
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Note to readers
The Monthly Railway Carloadings Survey collects data on the number of rail cars, tonnage, units and 20-feet equivalent units from railway transporters operating in Canada that provide for-hire freight services.
Cargo loadings from Armstrong, Ontario, to the Atlantic Coast are classified to the eastern division (Eastern Canada), while loadings from Thunder Bay, Ontario, to the Pacific Coast are classified to the western division (Western Canada).
Survey data are revised on a monthly basis to reflect new information.
The data in this release are not seasonally adjusted.
The Transportation Data and Information Hub provides Canadians with online access to comprehensive statistics and measures on the country's transportation sector.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).
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