Integration platform Orderful recently released its “2025 Carrier Performance Trends” report, offering an analysis of trucking industry trends based on the company’s electronic data interchange transactions.

“Trucking has faced historic challenges in recent years, but our latest EDI data signals a turning point. While signs of recovery are promising, the data also highlights ongoing risks around market concentration and seasonal volatility,” Erik Kiser, founder and CEO of Orderful, explained in the release.

While comparing month-over-month data from 2024, the report revealed ongoing market volatility, highlighting the need for adaptability. Sharp contrasts between summer lows and fall rebounds demonstrated how seasonal factors continue to influence the market’s trajectory. This fluctuation shows the importance of preparing for seasonal shifts while leveraging rebound periods for growth opportunities.

“These fluctuations underscore a crucial insight about the industry’s recovery: it isn’t following a simple upward path but rather adapting to both seasonal patterns and structural changes. The strong October performance, coming after September’s dip, suggests that carriers are learning to navigate these cycles more effectively,” the report stated.

The performance analysis of different equipment types highlights varied strengths and challenges across the market.

“This specialization creates a double-edged sword. On one hand, the high barriers to entry and specialized expertise required have helped established reefer carriers maintain stability through market turbulence. On the other, this same concentration may limit flexibility as the market evolves,” the report suggested.

SONAR data has backed this insight, with recent reefer outbound tender rejection rates and spot market rates continuing to decline while remaining stronger than in the past two years. This decline follows seasonal trends, driven by a steady drop in reefer tender volumes. The Reefer Outbound Tender Volume Index (ROTVI) fell 8.31% from January to February with a brief volume increase in mid-February quickly fading.

Lower volumes and rejection rates have pushed reefer spot rates down, which is linked to excess reefer capacity. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report noted adequate truck availability across most U.S. regions, with surpluses in key areas like South Texas and Washington state.

Flatbeds have also struggled with adaptability in the market, according to the report. With 91% of shipments relying on standard configurations, the segment faces difficulties in responding quickly to market fluctuations.