Among the challenges facing domestic onion growers and shippers this season are costs, a fact of life trucking can certainly relate to.
Race-West Company Inc. of Clarks Summit, PA reports significant challenges for onion growers and shippers because of continued driver shortages, ever rising fuel costs, and an aging driver pool. All of these factors that continue to tighten the availability of transportation.
The average price of Number 2 diesel fuel in the U.S. is over $6 per gallon, unless you are in California, where it is over $8 per gallon.
Race-West, a grower, shipper and distributor, notes the new crop of onions across the U.S. and Canada look good and are in strong supply. While total volume may be good this season good, acreage is less than last year because of too many onions and poor markets.
Growers should have adequate supply through winter and spring.
Race-West longs for a resurgence of railroad involvement to help adjust transportation costs downward. However, rail service continues to be poor with excessive transit times and an inadequate supply of rail cars.