Spring Produce Freight Tightens Nationwide: Nogales Hits Shortage, Rates Surge

Key Details The 2026 produce season officially kicks off April 13 with Vidalia Onion pack date, triggering the spring squeeze across all major origins simultaneously. Nogales has become the country's tightest origin, posting its first full Shortage lane to Chicago at $5,900-$6,200 (+4%), with seven additional lanes at Slight Shortage. Boston rates cracked $10,000 while LA surged 21% to $2,200-$2,400. California's Four-Week Pause Ends After a month of flat rates, every California region shifted to Slight Shortage this week with widespread gains. Oxnard District saw Baltimore jump 17% to $8,600-$9,600 and Philadelphia surge 16% to $8,600-$9,800. Imperial/Coachella and Santa Maria reset to new baselines with expanded commodity mixes now including blackberries, blueberries, and bok choy. Florida Bounces Back Florida reversed course after three weeks of stagnant trading, posting double-digit rate gains. South Texas maintained elevated Slight Shortage levels for the third consecutive week, while Colorado potatoes and New York apples remain the only origins not tightening. Why It Matters With diesel hovering above $5.00 per gallon and the Yuma-to-Salinas lettuce transition imminent, this is 2026's tightest produce freight environment yet. The spring season is fully underway with expanded commodity mixes signaling accelerating demand across all lanes.