FW Desk News
FreightWatch.News
Saturday, October 31, 2026
The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its monthly employment report Friday. This report will test whether the U.S. labor market remains strong enough to justify additional Federal Reserve rate increases—a prospect that could reverberate through freight markets already contending with seasonal softness.
Refrigerated produce rates climbed 44% year-over-year in California last week, even as national reefer volume declined 9%, signaling regional strength amid broader demand weakness. Carriers' pricing power edged higher, with the DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index rising to 75 from 70 the previous week.
Meanwhile, container spot rates on transpacific eastbound lanes fell 6% week-over-week as peak season concluded, marking the steepest decline since mid-2025. Analysts predict additional pressure ahead as demand remains subdued heading into year-end.
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