Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Primland, a French marketer and grower projects the company’s Chilean kiwifruit will have a 20 percent yield increase for its green variety, which accounts for approximately 90 percent of the total volume, due primarily to favorable weather and orchard management.
Additionally, the water availability in Chile is contributing to excellent fruit quality this year.
The South American country remains one of the world’s key kiwifruit exporters, supplying the United States, Europe, and Asia when Northern Hemisphere production is out of season.
Alongside its traditional green varieties, Primland continues expanding its yellow-fleshed kiwi program. The Oscar® Gold variety currently accounts for about ten percent of its supply this season in Chile, but there’s room for growth due to the rise in yields, as well as new plantings.
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By Joey Piedimonte, Pro*Act, Monterey, CA
I spent last week in Orlando for SEPC, and it was nice connecting with many of you out
there. While I was in Florida, I got a firsthand look at what the late January freeze did to
crops in the region and the impact is more significant than the reports suggested.
Bell peppers took a serious hit. Fields that should be loaded are thin, and what’s coming
out is inconsistent. Strawberry plants looked structurally sound, but the ratio of flowers to
fruit told the real story. There’s more bloom than berry right now, which means volume is
still weeks away.
That freeze is still echoing across the supply chain.
Bell peppers are tightening, particularly greens. Significant freeze losses in Florida have
resulted in lower yields and more off-grade fruit expected this spring. Western Mexico
volumes crossing through Nogales are rising and helping fill the gap, but prices are
climbing as demand grows. Red bells are relying heavily on Mexico, where Culiacán is
producing moderate volume with good quality and better yields ahead. Central Mexico
crossings remain steady but limited, and Florida supply is minimal. Markets will stay firm
short-term.
Tomatoes remain the headline. Southeast supplies are extremely limited after growers
invoked Force Majeure due to crop loss. Domestic production won’t recover until mid
April at the earliest. Mexico is helping cover the gap, but yields are lighter and quality at
pack-out has been mixed. Recent logistics disruptions have stressed the supply chain.
Rounds, romas, and grape tomatoes are all tight. Expect elevated pricing through the next
six weeks, and consider substituting rounds for romas where possible.
Corn took a beating. Bi-color, white, and yellow corn in the Southeast are all impacted. On
the West Coast, bi-color and white are limited, and yellow is extremely tight.
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Fewer Chilean table grapes will be exported to the United States during its peak export window this season, projecting a 10 percent decline from 2025 volumes. Growers are facing an oversupply of grapes in the international market, plus the South Americans are replacing traditional varieties with newer, more productive grapes.
The US accounts for just over half of Chile’s total table grape exports, with estimates of 34.7 million 18-pound boxes to be shipped this season. The Andean country’s Table Grape Committee forecasts global exports of 63.5 million boxes, down 6.6 percent year-on-year.
The Chilean Table Grape Committee reports the 2026 season will be a year of adjustment, consolidating the varietal replacement with new cultivars, which this year will account for 72 percent. Five years ago, only 36 percent of exported table grapes were new varieties.
The imbalance between supply and demand in the US market is contributing to the pullback. Weekly demand has remained steady for years at between 3.5 million and 4 million boxes, while global supply has expanded.
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THE ALLEN LUND COMPANY,TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS:1-800-404-5863.
The California Avocado Commission (CAC) announced its annual early-season crop forecast, projecting 330 million pounds of Golden State-grown fruit.
The estimate includes 310 million pounds of Hass and 20 million pounds of GEM, Lamb Hass, and other avocado varieties.
With continued investment in new plantings and nearly 51,000 productive acres, the commission expects 2026 to be the third consecutive year with a total volume exceeding 300 million pounds.
Some harvesting has already begun, the organization reports, but the peak of promotable volume is expected from April into August.
“Recent rain in California generally was welcomed by growers due to its help with soil and tree health,” said Terry Splane, CAC Vice President of Marketing. “Now there is hope for these sunny days to continue into spring to ensure fruit sizing.”
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Flatbed carriers remained in high demand during the week of March 1-7, with flatbed loads on the DAT One marketplace up 4% and the average spot rate up 4 cents compared to the previous week.
Truckload freight trends from DAT One and DAT iQ
Spot market data for March 1-7, 2026 (Week 10)
Broker-to-carrier 7-day average spot rates for all three equipment segments:
▼ Dry van: $2.36 per mile, down 3 cents week over week
▼ Refrigerated: $2.75 per mile, down 3 cents
▲ Flatbed: $2.70 per mile, up 4 cents and up 18 cents over the last six weeks
The total number of loads posted to the DAT One marketplace settled lower last week, down 4% to 3.3 million. Truck posts fell to 219,869, also down 4%.
Reduced overall capacity, not a surge in freight volumes, continues to drive long-term spot-market pricing trends. With fuel accounting for roughly one-third of truck operating costs, $5 diesel this week could prompt carriers to park their rigs at least temporarily, exacerbating supply-side pressures.
Van: Load posts ease after weather-driven surge
▼ Van loads: 1.31 million, down 8% week over week
▼ Van equipment: 162,354, down 5%
▼ Linehaul rate: $2.00 per mile, down 2 cents
▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 8.1, down from 8.4
Reefer: Produce markets reset as capacity loosens
▼ Reefer loads: 542,704, down 10% week over week
▼ Reefer equipment: 36,498, down 7%
▼ Linehaul rate: $2.38 per mile, down 3 cents
▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 14.9, down from 15.3
Flatbed: Upward trajectory
▲ Flatbed loads: 1.49 million, up 4% week over week
▲ Flatbed equipment: 21,017, up 1%
▲ Linehaul rate: $2.33 per mile, up 4 cents
▲ Load-to-truck ratio: 70.3, up from 68.9
Market analysis from Dean Croke, Industry Analyst, DAT Freight & Analytics
Flatbed demand continued to press higher. At $2.33 per mile, last week’s national average spot linehaul rate for flatbed freight was 29 cents higher year over year and 16 cents higher than Week 10 in 2018, when flatbed equipment was in high demand. Flatbed load posts were nearly 47% higher year over year.
The produce reefer market just hit a reset. For the first time in weeks, the USDA Specialty Crops National Truck Rate Report is showing “Adequate” refrigerated truck availability in all 11 geographic regions. The capacity tightness that defined California, Florida, and South Texas over the past month has fully unwound. Florida outbound continued to a four-week pattern of spot-rate declines, Nogales flipped higher on key lanes, South Texas firmed modestly, and California settled into a holding pattern.
Florida’s weather-damaged crop supply continues to shrink the available reefer load pool faster than capacity can tighten. The Lakeland to Atlanta lane at $1,050–1,250 is remarkably soft but still paying carriers around $100 per load more than a year ago based on DAT 7-day rolling average rates. For context, this lane was $2,100–2,300 just four weeks ago.
Despite declining 8% week over week, dry van load post volumes were 53% higher than the same period last year and nearly double the 10-year average (excluding the pandemic years of 2021 and 2022).
With diesel pushing $5 a gallon, it’s worth noting that, unlike most loads moving under contract, there is no separate fuel surcharge on a spot rate. Carriers and brokers negotiate a single all-in rate per mile, and because spot loads are booked close to the pickup date, that rate is expected to already reflect current diesel prices.
About DAT Freight & Analytics
DAT Freight & Analytics operates DAT One, North America’s largest truckload freight marketplace; DAT iQ, the industry’s leading freight data analytics service; the Convoy Platform automated freight-matching service; Trucker Tools, the leader in load visibility; and Outgo, the financial services platform for truckers. Check out the latest DAT iQ Market Update every Tuesday or on demand: https://www.youtube.com/DATLoadBoards.
Load and truck posts refer to the number of posts on the DAT One marketplace during Week 10 (March 1-7). Load volume refers to the number of loads moved. Rates are aggregated from invoice data submitted to DAT iQ. dat.com
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Whether you are looking to load citrus in California and Florida, or even Texas or Arizona, good volume is reported, along with strong demand.
The USDA reports domestic growers produced just over 5 million tons of citrus during the 2024-25 season, a slight drop from 2023-24.
California continues to account for a huge share at 84 percent, followed by Florida at 13 percent, and Texas and Arizona for the remaining 3 percent.
Although California orange production fell for season by nearly 1 percent to 45.2 million boxes, tangerine and mandarin volumes rose by 11 percent, while lemons and grapefruit increased by 5 percent each.
California Citrus Mutual of Exeter, CA represents citrus growers and notes navels continue to lead the pack, although easy peelers such as mandarins continue to gain popularity.
Bee Sweet Citrus of Fowler, CA sees strong demand and volume for its leading products, Navel oranges, lemons, and mandarins.
Wonderful Citrus Cooperative of Delano, CA is one of the largest volume players with citrus and is particularly excited about the growth of its mandarin easy peel Wonderful Halos.
The company also reports over the past five years it has seen excellent increases with lemons, which has been exceeded only by mandarins.
Kimball Produce Sales of Pacifica, CA reports lemons as it leading volume item, followed by California navels, Valencias, and limes.
On the down side, Wonderful Halos revealed strong weather problems in December and early January, including heavy rain and dense fog lasting nearly four weeks, created significant challenges across the citrus industry.
These conditions impacted crop yields and quality, contributing to lower overall production industrywide during the front half of the winter season.
Sunkist Growers, Inc. in Valencia, CA, describes recent times with large volume crops as competitive but encouraging, despite a challenging global marketplace and early-season weather-related disruptions.
For the current 2025-26 season, Sunkist report fruit size has been larger than prior years with Navel oranges running about 8 percent above 2024-25 as harvest ramps up, while Cara Cara oranges are showing a 12 percent crop increase.
In easy-peelers, Sunkist’s clementine mandarins were similarly up 19 percent versus the previous season. For lemons, the company is seeing strong volume gains across districts, supported by increased domestic and export movement.
The first containers of Bright Bounty Moroccan mandarins arrived over a month ago, officially kicking off the Morocco mandarin program. Early arrivals are showing outstanding color and excellent internal quality.
The Bright Bounty Morocco mandarin season will run from February through April.
Crop reports from Morocco indicate a strong mandarin season overall. With indications of fruit drop impacting California supply, Moroccan mandarins provide a strategic solution for maintaining consistent availability.
“We’re really excited about the quality coming out of Morocco this season,” said Alden Guptill, sales manager of Bright Bounty/DiSilva Fruit. “With strong sugars, great color and reliable timing, Morocco Mandarins give our customers confidence and continuity.”
Currently arriving are Nadorcott variety mandarins. Very similar to Murcotts in both flavor and appearance, offering excellent eating quality and easy-peel characteristics that resonate with consumers. The program will be available in one- through five-pound bags, making it well-suited for everyday sales as well as promotional activity.
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With the offshore melon season in full force, the Melon Alliance consisting of Westside Produce of Firebaugh, CA and Classic Fruit of Fresno, CA reports steady improvement as production stabilizes following early seasonal challenges.
Looking ahead, the outlook for the remainder of the offshore season remains highly positive. As the industry starts to move out of winter and into spring production soon, interest from retailers continues to grow. “Once we get through February and into our spring production, we’ve seen strong interest from retailers as promotional opportunities have been limited up to this point,” said Ferguson. “As the weather begins to warm and daylight hours extend, melon promotions give consumers an early taste that summer is close. These months typically provide the best eating and best looking melons of the offshore season.”
In addition, the offshore melon program has also played a critical role in strengthening the Alliance between Westside Produce and Classic Fruit, particularly in ensuring reliability and consistency for customers during transitional supply periods.
“Our strengthened alliance with Classic Fruit has allowed us to build even stronger working relationships with our already outstanding customer base,” said Mark George, vice president of sales at Westside Produce. “This ensures our customers that we will work hard to cover their melon needs every week of the year, giving them that uninterrupted supply.”
The offshore season began with weather-related challenges that impacted the first production cycle, causing temporary market fluctuations. “Weather was an issue in the early part of the growing season where yields were negatively impacted during the first cycle,” said Tom Ferguson, vice president of East Coast sales for Classic Fruit. “Lower production resulted in higher markets on both cantaloupe and honeydew, which peaked in early January. As production stabilized by mid-January, markets have started to settle to more historical levels.”
Despite these early hurdles, the alliance’s offshore program has remained resilient, supported by strong grower relationships and a unified supply strategy. A key advantage of the program has been Classic Fruit’s Fair Trade Certified offerings, which continue to resonate with customers.
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Spot truckload rates eased again during the week of February 15-21, as pricing settled into a more typical seasonal pattern.
Truckload freight trends from DAT One and DAT iQ
Spot market data for Feb. 15-21, 2026 (Week 8)
Broker-to-carrier 7-day average spot rates:
▼ Dry van: $2.40 per mile, down 3 cents week over week
▼ Refrigerated: $2.83 per mile, down 7 cents
▲ Flatbed: $2.63 per mile, up 3 cents
The total number of loads posted to the DAT One marketplace declined for the second straight week, falling 8% to 3.12 million. Truck posts decreased almost 4% to 211,147. Weather-driven volatility returns this week as a severe snowstorm hits the Northeast.
Van: Fewer loads
▼ Van loads: 1.3 million, down 11% week over week
▼ Van equipment: 152,400, down 3%
▼ Linehaul rate: $2.04 per mile, down 2 cents
Reefer: Mid-February softness
▼ Reefer loads: 541,500, down 18% week over week
▼ Reefer equipment: 37,088, down 6%
▼ Linehaul rate: $2.46 per mile, down 7 cents
Flatbed: Holding steady
— Flatbed loads: 1.28 million, virtually unchanged week over week
▼ Flatbed equipment: 21,659, down 5%
▲ Linehaul rate: $2.26 per mile, up 2 cents
Market analysis from Dean Croke, Industry Analyst, DAT Freight & Analytics
Florida’s surge in outbound reefer rates over the previous three weeks retreated. Spot rates on every lane out of Central and South Florida plunged 20 to 32% across every major destination.
The national average spot reefer rate fell 11 cents per mile over the previous two weeks, eliminating half the pricing gains made during Winter Storms Fern and Gianna. Despite cooling, the national average reefer spot linehaul rate was 53 cents higher year over year. Reefer load posts dropped for the fourth consecutive week, but were still 40% higher than last year. At the same time, equipment availability declined 20% year over year.
Van load posts fell 11% while truck posts only dropped 3%, tilting pricing leverage back toward shippers and brokers. However, last week’s mild 2-cent rate decline indicates that carriers are holding relatively firm. Compared to Week 8 last year, the average rate is up 40 cents.
Flatbed load post volumes held steady last week following four consecutive weeks of increases. This volume remains robust, sitting almost 50% higher than the same period last year.
About DAT Freight & Analytics
DAT Freight & Analytics operates DAT One, North America’s largest truckload freight marketplace; DAT iQ, the industry’s leading freight data analytics service; the Convoy Platform automated freight-matching service; Trucker Tools, the leader in load visibility; and Outgo, the financial services platform for truckers. Check out the latest DAT iQ Market Update: https://www.youtube.com/DATLoadBoards.
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Tomato supplies are tightening further, and market prices are rising. The supply chain in Mexico is stressed this week due to violent unrest throughout the country, and freezing temperatures this winter in Florida have significantly impacted yields, relates Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA in a press release.
Markon First Crop (MFC) Tomatoes are limited; packer label will be substituted.
Rounds
- Florida tomatoes are in very short supply due to prolonged sub-freezing temperatures affecting crops in late-January
Growers have enacted the Force Majeure clause on contracts due to crop loss
Domestic supply will remain very limited until new crop supplies become available in mid-April
The Ruskin/Palmetto region is anticipated to provide some relief in six weeks, depending on the weather - Mexico yields are lighter than years past due to inclement weather
Mixed quality is being observed at pack out
Demand is increasing quickly due to Florida’s supply issues
Shipments have further slowed this week due to cartel violence, but are expected to pick up next week - Expect tight supplies and very high prices for the next six weeks until Florida’s supplies ramp up
Romas
- Florida stocks are extremely limited due to recent freezes; growers have enacted the Force Majeure clause on contracts due to crop loss
- Mexico’s Culiacan growing region is experiencing very high demand and lighter yields heading into March
All sizes are tight, and quality is average due to past weather conditions
Volume from Central Mexico’s growing regions is limited, extending into South Texas
The Mexican supply chain is under stress this week due to violent unrest and disturbed freight movement throughout the country - Supply of Roma tomatoes will be more limited, leading to higher prices compared to round tomatoes; substituting round tomatoes is recommended as necessary
- Relief isn’t expected until supplies improve in Florida in six weeks
Grape & Cherry Varieties
- Florida is experiencing low supply levels due to freezing weather conditions
- Mexican yields are moderate due to past weather conditions that have led to quality issues
- Mexico is experiencing increased demand
- Expect elevated prices throughout March
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