Six months into 2026, the freight market is tracking much as anticipated. Capacity is tightening, rates are rising, and the three-year freight recession appears to be over, while cargo theft, fraud and regulatory changes continue to increase risk.
Rising rates, hidden costs, and upcoming policy changes are reshaping the freight market heading into Q3.
During March, spot rates and contract rates remained inflated vs. last year. We continue to see capacity tightening and higher rejection rates across the U.S.
The conversations at this year’s Food Shippers of America Conference highlighted something many in the industry are already sensing…food supply chains are entering a new phase.
Produce shipping requires precision; you’re transporting perishable products with limited shelf life, tight delivery windows, and little tolerance for temperature fluctuations.
2026 is shaping up to be a freight market turning point, where tightening capacity, regulatory changes, and rising risk make proactive transportation planning more critical than ever.
2026 will reward produce shippers who prepare early, document expectations, and manage risk like a discipline, not a reaction. If you want fewer scrambles, fewer claims, and fewer “where’s the freight?” calls, build your plan now.
Everyone loves a low rate—until it costs three times more in service failures. Between weather volatility, rising transportation costs, tightening retail expectations, and shrinking margins, produce logistics is complex and critical to profitability.
A brief, 15-minute meeting with a DLX shipping solutions team member, scheduled based on your availability.