Produce season is upon us, and also you don’t should be hauling meals to really feel its results. It’s a time of 12 months when demand for vehicles is close to its highest. And when demand rises, charges comply with.
That’s why this can be a time of 12 months most carriers sit up for, particularly when freight markets have been in a down cycle like they’ve been for the previous a number of months. And on the subject of produce harvests, not solely does the demand for vehicles rise (particularly for reefers), there’s urgency to get these hundreds the place they should be earlier than the crops go unhealthy. That further urgency places much more strain on charges to go up.
That mentioned, the depth of produce season varies from 12 months to 12 months. As an example, droughts in California led to the 2022 produce season being extra muted than most. There are indicators of restoration on the West Coast although.
The precise timing of produce season additionally varies, however it does comply with a typical sample. Fortunately, there are instruments carriers can put to make use of to verify they maximize their alternatives.
Produce season’s migration
Within the Southeast, produce season kicks off in Southern Florida in April and strikes north to Atlanta by June. That very same north-to-south sample performs out in different areas, with demand heating up when the climate does.
This could have dramatic results on trucking lanes. Take Atlanta to Miami, for instance. For 11 months out of the 12 months, the southbound lane pays rather more on common than the northbound journey from Miami to Atlanta. However in Could, these roles can flip, with reefer charges for hundreds going from Miami to Atlanta paying greater than the Atlanta to Miami journey.
Learn how to reap the benefits of produce season
Whereas many produce shipments might be dealt with with a dry van or vented trailer, the demand will increase for reefers probably the most. And produce carriers will want to verify they’ve the fitting tools and insurance coverage. Excessive worth hundreds would require pretty new reefer trailers and satisfactory insurance coverage protection.
DAT One additionally presents loads of instruments to assist carriers reap the benefits of produce transport season.
Market Circumstances: Ensure you strike whereas the iron’s scorching. With the Market Circumstances map in DAT One, you’ll be able to see at a look precisely the place demand is highest for vehicles. Simply as essential, you too can see when the produce transport season is beginning to cool in a market so that you don’t get caught off guard.
Fast Price Lookup: Ensure you aren’t leaving cash on the desk when lane charges change drastically. Observe these actions utilizing the Fast Price Lookup device within the DAT One app. This reveals you the two-week common price on a lane so you’ll be able to be sure to aren’t leaving any cash on the desk when negotiating with brokers.
Truck posts: Posting your obtainable truck might be particularly helpful in markets the place demand is excessive. DAT One additionally lets you embrace a price if you publish your truck, so you need to use the knowledge you realized from the Market Circumstances map and Fast Price Lookup to tell your costs. As soon as your truck is posted, brokers can name you with hundreds they want moved somewhat than the opposite method round.
TriHaul: Even with produce season upon us, we’re nonetheless in a down market total, so planning your routes for max profitability can nonetheless be a problem. With the TriHaul device in DAT One, you get automated ideas for triangular routes, the place including an additional cease may enhance your income in comparison with a typical there-and-back roundtrip.
Study extra about how DAT One will help develop your small business for the lengthy haul
