C.H. Robinson publishes Edge Report, highlighting tightening refrigerated truck capacity across North America
Key takeaways
- The produce season is tightening refrigerated capacity in key U.S. regions despite trucks still being available.
- Southeast, Texas, and West Coast lanes show higher rates driven by produce demand and limited flexibility.
- Advance planning and longer lead times are critical as spot pricing rises and execution becomes more complex.
C.H. Robinson recently published its latest Edge Report outlining current refrigerated transportation conditions across North America.
The company, which provides global logistics, transportation, and supply chain services, reported that the produce season continues to place pressure on refrigerated networks while trucks remain generally available in most regions.
Across the East Coast, refrigerated conditions vary by region, with the Southeast experiencing tighter capacity tied to produce movements. Capacity in the Northeast is improving as backlogs clear, while pricing in some Southern produce corridors remains elevated during seasonal demand spikes.
In the Central U.S., Texas continues to show the tightest refrigerated market conditions, driven by produce shipping and cross-border activity. Other Mid-North markets have eased closer to seasonal norms following recent disruptions.
On the West Coast, refrigerated capacity remains available but is increasingly dependent on advance planning and pricing. Produce activity in regions such as Arizona and Washington is contributing to elevated demand and tighter execution conditions. Rates in some corridors rose significantly during recent peak shipping periods, with limited immediate relief expected.
Across all regions, the report notes that trucks are generally available, but access to capacity is increasingly influenced by lead time, shipment complexity, and pricing flexibility.
