Reefer Lanes See Early Upturn
What happened
The Plant City, FL to Des Moines, IA reefer lane jumped from $1,521 in March 2025 to nearly $2,100 today due to crop freezes and diesel spikes.
Why it matters
The early surge in reefer rates from Florida to Iowa highlights the vulnerability of freight rates to agricultural yields and fuel costs. Crop freezes in Florida likely damaged produce, reducing the available supply and driving up prices for transport to the Midwest. Diesel prices increases compound the issue, making it more expensive for truckers to operate on this lane. These factors together create a perfect storm for higher reefer rates. Spot rates in general are seeing a boost; the national average for van, reefer, and flatbed are all up this week. This could signal a broader shift in the freight market as we head further into the year.
Key numbers
- The Plant City, FL to Des Moines, IA reefer lane jumped from $1,521 in March 2025 to nearly $2,100 today due to crop freezes and diesel spikes.
What happens next
- This could signal a broader shift in the freight market as we head further into the year.
Sources
Quick answers
What happened in Reefer Lanes See Early Upturn?
The Plant City, FL to Des Moines, IA reefer lane jumped from $1,521 in March 2025 to nearly $2,100 today due to crop freezes and diesel spikes.
Why does Reefer Lanes See Early Upturn matter?
The early surge in reefer rates from Florida to Iowa highlights the vulnerability of freight rates to agricultural yields and fuel costs. Crop freezes in Florida likely damaged produce, reducing the available supply and driving up prices for transport to the Midwest. Diesel prices increases compound the issue, making it more expensive for truckers to operate on this lane. These factors together create a perfect storm for higher reefer rates. Spot rates in general are seeing a boost; the national average for van, reefer, and flatbed are all up this week. This could signal a broader shift in the freight market as we head further into the year.
