Breaking

Northwest Reefer Market Seizes as Harvest Demand Collides with Tighter Capacity

Tender rejection rates in the Northwest have surged to 20.2%, the highest among U.S. regions, marking a dramatic reversal from early 2026 when the area posted among the country's loosest markets. The spike stems primarily from fall harvest season, with reefer rejections averaging 41% in October compared to 17% in July. Reefer tender volume has climbed 65% since midsummer and 35% year-over-year, while van shipments declined 11% annually. The Midwest presents a contrasting story of sustained tightness. The region's rejection rate has remained near or above 15% since February, with van rejections near 15%—two and a half times last year's level—and reefer rejections near 29%, up from 15%. National tender rejections eased to 13.8% over two weeks. Analysts attribute the Northwest surge to regional demand volatility combined with meaningfully lower national capacity compared to last year.