Each year, produce season creates one of the most important shifts in the transportation market. As harvests begin across key growing regions, freight demand rises, refrigerated capacity tightens and spot market pricing can become more competitive. For shippers across every industry – not just food and beverage – understanding produce season is critical to staying ahead.
Produce season typically starts in southern markets like Florida, Texas, Arizona and Mexico border regions before gradually moving north through the summer months. As carriers reposition equipment to take advantage of higher-volume produce freight, truck availability in surrounding markets can shrink, creating ripple effects nationwide.
That means companies shipping dry van, flatbed or general freight may still feel the impact through longer lead times, tighter capacity and rising transportation costs. Even businesses outside agriculture can experience delays when trucks are pulled into produce-heavy lanes.
Key Produce Season Markets to Watch
Some of the most active regions during produce season include:
- Florida: Winter and spring produce including citrus, tomatoes, strawberries and peppers
- Texas: Onions, melons, citrus and cross-border produce volume
- California: Strawberries, lettuce, grapes, tomatoes and other large-scale produce moves
- Georgia & the Carolinas: Seasonal fruits, onions and summer produce
- Pacific Northwest: Cherries, apples, pears and late-season harvests
How Shippers Can Prepare
The best strategy during produce season is preparation. Forecast volumes early, communicate with your logistics provider and secure capacity before markets tighten. Flexible pickup schedules and proactive planning often help reduce disruption and control costs.
At Corporate Traffic Logistics, we help customers navigate seasonal freight changes with dependable capacity, market insight and proactive service. Whether you need refrigerated, dry van, flatbed or specialized solutions, our team is ready to keep your freight moving through every market cycle.
Reach out to Corporate Traffic today to prepare your shipping strategy.