California Citrus Dominates Reefer Market as New East Coast Lanes Open

Key Details California reefer volumes surged 17% year-over-year this week, with three major regions adding Chicago and New York lanes for the first time. Kern District carrots commanded $9,700-$10,400 to New York, while Salinas lettuce hit $10,100-$10,900, both opening at Slight Shortage levels. Citrus Momentum Builds California citrus rates climbed across all nine destinations this week, with Chicago up 12%, Philadelphia up 8%, and Baltimore up 7%. This sustained tightening confirms the spring citrus season is accelerating as inventory winds down. Outbound Fresno lettuce volumes jumped 22% week-over-week with spot rates up 44% year-over-year. Market Shifts Elsewhere Yakima's dramatic rate spike from last week reversed sharply, with Chicago down 15% and Dallas down 24% as truck availability normalized to Adequate levels. Nogales whipsawed with most lanes declining, though Chicago hit Shortage for the second time with rates up 14%. South Texas maintained elevated rates for the fifth consecutive week. Rate Trends Refer linehaul rates dropped $0.04 per mile to $2.35 average, though they remain 25% above last year and 22% above the five-year average. The load-to-truck ratio declined 4% to 12.84 as market softening continued.