Broker Archives - DAT Freight & Analytics

Reefer Report: Produce comes off the peak, but last year’s floor stays out of reach

The reefer produce market took a broad step back week over week, but off a plateau that still sits far above 2025.

Rates are swinging, fuel costs are unpredictable, and demand is shifting week to week. None of that is new to anyone who prices freight for a living.

The second-quarter U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index captured a market moving in two directions at once.

The July Logistics Managers’ Index read 68.9, down 2.2 points from June’s 71.1, which had been the fastest overall expansion since March 2022.

Flatbed spot linehaul averaged $2.83 per mile this week, minus fuel, down 1.5%, or $0.04 per mile, from the prior week.

Reefer spot linehaul averaged $2.65 per mile this week, minus fuel, down 2.6%, or $0.07 per mile, from the prior week.

Dry van spot linehaul averaged $2.32 per mile this week, minus fuel, down 2.4%, or $0.06 per mile, from the prior week.

Freight markets have turned before. What stands out this time is what’s driving the change.

The ongoing re-pricing of the truckload market remains supply-led, a trend underscored this week by tightening rates for California citrus

Flatbed spot linehaul averaged $2.87 per mile this week, down 2.7%, or $0.08 per mile, from the prior week. Rates

Dry van spot linehaul averaged $2.38 per mile this week, down 2.5%, or $0.06 per mile, from the prior week.

Last week’s post-holiday tightness didn’t just fade — it reversed. Across nearly every district, USDA flipped truck availability a full