Welcome to Q2! We’ve made it through the first quarter, and as we step into April, the freight market continues to shift. While demand remains weak, capacity changes are setting the stage for potential volatility in certain regions.
In this week’s Redwood Rundown, Christopher Thornycroft breaks down what’s happening in the market and what trends to watch.
What’s Happening in the Market?
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Tariffs Are Taking Effect – With new tariffs going live, uncertainty is at an all-time high. Businesses are bracing for potential disruptions, particularly in cross-border trade.
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Flatbed Market Cooling – Key markets like North Carolina, Portland, and Dallas, which are tied to lumber shipments, are seeing a slowdown in flatbed activity. Expect demand to fall further as tariff impacts unfold.
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Capacity Is Tightening – We’re seeing fewer truck postings and more carrier exits—including major refrigerated carriers shutting down. While demand is soft, reduced capacity is keeping rates stable.
What’s Next?
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April Will Start Soft – The first half of the month is expected to be weaker than usual, following the end-of-quarter push and holiday-related driver shortages.
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Watch the South for Volatility – Despite a weak produce season, fewer trucks in key markets like Florida and Georgia could make capacity swings more extreme.
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Rates Remain Flat… for Now – While demand has been sluggish, reduced capacity is preventing significant rate drops. Expect shifts as market conditions evolve.
For a deeper dive into these trends and more insights from Christopher, watch the full Redwood Rundown video above.