What Is Produce Season in Freight?
Produce season refers to the annual surge in agricultural harvest activity that increases demand for refrigerated truckload capacity across key growing regions.
As crops move from farms to distribution centers, refrigerated equipment concentrates in harvest-heavy states. Carriers reposition assets, capacity tightens, and freight markets react.
The impact typically begins in southern states and progresses northward as harvest cycles shift.
During this period:
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Refrigerated truckload tightens first
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Spot rates increase on key outbound lanes
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Contract capacity becomes constrained
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Equipment imbalances affect neighboring markets
Shippers without advance planning often face rate volatility and limited availability.
When Produce Season Happens by Region
Produce season does not occur all at once. It moves geographically as harvest windows open and close.
Florida and South Texas
Typical Peak: March through May
Early produce harvests create the first wave of refrigerated demand. Outbound reefer capacity tightens quickly, particularly on lanes heading into the Midwest and Northeast.
California and the Southwest
Typical Peak: May through July
California’s volume makes this the most significant capacity event of the year. Large produce volumes pull refrigerated equipment into the region, increasing outbound rate pressure.
Southeast Expansion
Typical Peak: Late spring through early summer
Georgia and surrounding states experience increased freight activity, particularly on regional distribution lanes.
Midwest and Pacific Northwest
Typical Peak: Summer months
As harvests shift north, capacity rebalances but volatility often continues on long-haul lanes.
Understanding this timeline allows shippers to anticipate tightening markets instead of reacting to them.
How Produce Season Impacts Freight Capacity
Why Refrigerated Truckload Tightens First
Perishable goods require temperature-controlled transportation. As harvest volumes rise, refrigerated trailers are prioritized for produce loads, reducing available capacity for other temperature-sensitive freight.
Carriers often reposition equipment into high-volume produce markets, which creates:
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Reduced availability in non-harvest regions
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Lane-specific rate spikes
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Contract performance challenges
Shippers competing for limited refrigerated equipment during peak windows often encounter premium pricing.
Spot Rate Volatility During Produce Season
Produce season can increase spot market exposure, especially on outbound lanes from harvest-heavy states.
Common patterns include:
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Sudden rate increases on produce corridors
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Limited same-day equipment availability
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Premium repositioning costs
Shippers relying heavily on spot capacity without contingency planning face higher transportation spend.
For contract freight support, see our Full Truckload (FTL) Services.
Spillover Effects Across Freight Modes
Produce season does not only affect refrigerated equipment.
As carriers shift assets into harvest regions:
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Dry van availability may tighten in adjacent markets
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Backhaul lanes become imbalanced
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Intermodal volume may increase for non-perishable freight
Intermodal shipping can help stabilize certain lanes when long-haul refrigerated capacity is constrained.
Learn more about modal diversification
Understanding ripple effects helps reduce unexpected exposure in non-produce lanes.
Refrigerated Trailer Storage as a Seasonal Strategy
Most discussions around produce season focus only on transportation. However, storage capacity is equally important.
When distribution centers experience inbound surges, dock congestion and limited cold storage space create operational bottlenecks.
Refrigerated trailer storage provides:
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Scalable cold storage capacity
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24/7 monitored temperature control
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Short-term overflow flexibility
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Staging support for inbound shipments
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Cold chain protection during peak harvest
Instead of expanding permanent warehouse space, refrigerated trailers can be deployed to create additional cold storage capacity directly at your facility or in secured yard locations.
Learn more about Refrigerated Trailer Storage Solutions
This approach turns a reactive capacity problem into a planned cold storage strategy.
Building a Seasonal Capacity Plan
Produce season requires preparation well before harvest peaks.
60–90 Day Planning Checklist
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Review historical lane exposure
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Confirm carrier commitments
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Secure contracted refrigerated capacity
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Identify high-risk produce corridors
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Establish refrigerated storage contingency
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Align internal scheduling and dock operations
Shippers who forecast volume surges and secure storage capacity early are less exposed to spot volatility.
Reducing Emergency Freight Spend
Unplanned produce season exposure often results in:
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Premium last-minute loads
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Carrier scarcity
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Rushed scheduling decisions
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Dock congestion
Refrigerated trailer storage can reduce emergency costs by allowing inbound freight to be staged during peak arrival periods rather than forcing immediate dock turnover.
This improves flow control and preserves cold chain integrity.
Produce Season Risk Mitigation Framework
To reduce disruption:
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Map produce-heavy lanes in your network
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Secure contract capacity before peak season
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Monitor regional harvest progression
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Diversify modal exposure where possible
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Deploy refrigerated trailer storage before docks reach capacity
The earlier this strategy is implemented, the less exposure your operation has to rate spikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does produce season start?
Produce season typically begins in early spring in southern states such as Florida and Texas, then progresses northward as harvest cycles shift.
How long does produce season last?
It generally runs from March through late summer, depending on crop type and geographic region.
Why does produce season increase freight rates?
Higher demand for refrigerated equipment reduces available capacity, which increases spot market competition and outbound lane pricing.
Does produce season affect dry van freight?
Yes. Equipment repositioning and backhaul imbalances can create secondary tightening in dry van markets.
How can shippers prepare for produce season?
By securing contract capacity early, forecasting high-risk lanes, and establishing refrigerated trailer storage overflow solutions before peak harvest begins.