Railway carloadings, April 2024
Released: 2024-06-20
32.5 million metric tonnes
April 2024
2.2% 
(12-month change)
Highlights
In April, the volume of cargo carried by Canadian railways totalled 32.5 million tonnes, up 2.2% from April 2023. Higher volumes of intermodal shipments (containers) as well as higher carloadings of grains led the overall increase.
In April 2024, cargo tonnage was well above the five-year average for the month and second only to the record high of 33.3 million tonnes set in April 2019.
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 volumes in April 2024 was the result of higher volumes across all types of rail operations: intermodal, non-intermodal, and traffic received from US connections.
Intermodal traffic leads increase
In April, intermodal shipments—mainly containers—originating from Canada led the overall increase in freight transported, up 14.8% year over year to 3.2 million tonnes.
Container volume reached its third-highest level on record in April, reflecting growth in Canada's imports of consumer goods during the same month.
Canola and wheat carloadings rebound
Loadings of non-intermodal freight—mainly commodities—were up 0.9% year over year to 25.5 million tonnes in April, led by large increases in some agricultural and food products, most notably grains.
In April, loadings of canola were up for the first time in seven months, rising sharply by 38.8% (+251 000 tonnes) from April 2023, after posting large declines in February (-23.6%) and March (-27.4%) 2024. Carloadings of wheat increased 7.2% (+180 000 tonnes) year over year in April, the largest monthly increase in almost one year, after an 8.9% drop in the prior month.
In addition, loadings of potash rose 7.8% (+160 000 tonnes) in April compared with the same month in 2023, the ninth consecutive increase. During the same period, loadings of fuel oils and crude petroleum rose 19.5% (+157 000 tonnes).
Chart 2
Railway carloadings, largest commodity differences, April 2023 to April 2024
Coal and iron ores and concentrates carloadings continue down
Growth in non-intermodal freight traffic in April 2024 was moderated by sharp declines in two commodities. Loadings of coal dropped by 11.9% (-447 000 tonnes) in April from the same month in 2023, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline. Loadings of iron ores and concentrates followed suit, down 7.9% (-391 000 tonnes) compared with April 2023, the second consecutive month of decline.
Freight from United States continues increase
In April 2024, freight loadings from connections with US railways increased year over year for the third month in a row, up 1.7% to 3.8 million tonnes.
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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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