Spring Squeeze: Produce Rates Surge at Three Major Origins

Why It Matters The brief period of balanced capacity in produce reefer markets has ended. Shortage conditions are returning to Nogales, South Texas, and Florida, signaling the start of spring's traditional capacity crunch for drivers. South Texas Leads the Surge Mexico crossings posted double-digit increases across nearly every lane, with rates climbing 13% to 28%. The McAllen to Chicago lane saw the biggest single move in the entire report, up 28%. Reefer loads from McAllen to Chicago are commanding $1,100 more than last year, while overall outbound rates from McAllen are up 19% year-over-year. Truck availability shifted to Slight Shortage on five major lanes including Baltimore, Boston, and New York. Nogales and Florida Follow Nogales posted 5% to 13% increases on eastbound lanes, with Baltimore loads averaging $2,100 more per load than a year ago. Florida reversed four weeks of declines, with rates rising 7% to 12% across the board. Truck availability now shows Slight Shortage on most premium lanes. The Exception California remains the outlier, with flat rates and Adequate capacity continuing to dominate. South Texas has emerged as the tightest produce origin in the country as Mexican import volumes build heading into spring.