That is a leading conclusion of a statewide survey conducted during the past year by agricultural economics researchers at California State University, Fresno. In general terms, the produce trucking industry appears healthy, notes lead survey author John Hagen, professor in Fresno State s Department of Agricultural Economics. In fact, the trucking industry has virtually taken over fresh fruit and vegetable shipping from the railroad industry. Today, most fresh produce is sold directly to retailers who expect the fresh produce to be delivered at receiver destinations as rapidly as possible. But in responding to this demand for rapid service, the trucking industry may be developing engine problems.
Concerns are being expressed as profit margins diminish, equipment ages and driver shortages occur.
There is emerging concern, however, about the future of the trucking industry in terms of personnel and cost of service. The key personnel issue centers on drivers. In cost of operations, the survey showed that truckers fixed costs are rising and their equipment is aging. Shippers greatest concern is an anticipated shortage of trucks in the near future. One method of addressing these problems, the authors suggest, is to gather representatives from all phases of the industry shipping, receiving and trucking and build a problem-solving coalition that has everyone s interests in mind.