Market Conditions 10/18/2015-10/24/2015

This week's market presented us with a decrease in spot market loads, down 5% overall. When taking all averages, reefer rates decreased 0.5%, van rates decreased 1% and flatbed rates decreased 0.5% compared to last week's rates. Taking an average of rate points from various metrics, we have found the national average rates to be the following: Reefer: $1.96/mi, Van: $1.71/mi, Flatbed: $1.98/mi.

Refrigerated Freight

The Northeast, Upper Midwest and Northwestern regions of the U.S. are showing signs of the end of the busy season. Expect lower volume in those regions in the weeks ahead. Wisconsin, Minnesota and Idaho have tight markets, shipping potatoes. Expect to see an increase in load volumes in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. The Mexican border crossings are beginning to see more freight as well. Expect the Texas Valley and southern AZ to get busy. California is begining to ship higher volumes of citrus and mixed vegetables, however there is still a surplus of trucks in the region keeping rates on the low side.

The rates below are average direct from customer rates. The bold line is the origin, left column is the destination. The following two columns are weekly ranges from the previous week. The next two columns are this week's ranges and the final column on the right is the percent changes from last week to this week.

-United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Market News https://www.marketnews.usda.gov 10/24/15

-DAT Power Load to Truck Reefer Densities 10/24/15

-United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Market News https://www.marketnews.usda.gov 10/24/15

Dry Freight

Load availability decreased 9% while truck availability remained unchanged. Price has continued it's downward trend in the southeast and southern regions. Areas of the northeast have seen a slight increase in line haul rates and the midwest has remained steady. Regions of higher freight densities include the Illinois, western Kentucky, the Upper Midwest, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Upstate New York. The image below indicates the Pacific Northwest is currently very tight. Please be note that this is mainly due to the demand for vented vans in order to move onions and potatoes.