Evolving habits increase reefer transport demand
As more consumers pack their grocery carts with fall staples, changing consumer habits around meals and economic pressures are increasing the need for refrigerated shipping.
In fact, consumer demand for refrigerated products has continually increased since 2020, according to the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) and its data platform Unify/IRI, which indicates refrigeration sales have increased by 32% over the past five years, and nearly 64% of adults say they save money or control their budget by eating at home.
This has led to a rise in demand for meal prep services, ready to eat meals, and grocery items overall, Schneider National reported.
“The maintenance and trend of at-home dining goes beyond simple cost-cutting,” Tricia Greyshock, NFRA president and CEO, said in a news release. “Our research indicates that consumers are finding real value in preparing meals at home, with 61% reporting it allows them to eat healthier. The refrigerated foods industry continues to evolve with innovative products that combine convenience, nutrition and variety—we expect to see further expansion in refrigerated offerings that cater to the evolving wants and needs of home cooks.”
As grocers and food providers are looking to increase their shipments of refrigerated goods, Schneider is preparing to meet those needs with one of the largest temperature-controlled fleets in the industry offering “robust” reefer freight capabilities.
Refrigerated shipping requires a well-coordinated, highly trained team and best-in-class equipment to do the job successfully. Timing, execution, and on-time service are critical because there are many regulations when it comes to moving consumer-grade fresh foods. For example, refrigerated trailers must maintain product-specific temperature requirements for the duration of the movement.
One wrong step in the process could spoil the whole load, Schneider maintained.
Schneider operates specialized trailers and tractors and utilizes high-precision tools such as remote and real-time monitoring temperature sensors, status and maintenance data, visibility tracking, and reporting metrics. The company’s trailer technology and driver processes allow for constant monitoring while in transit to ensure temperatures stay consistent to keep customer products fresh.
“Refrigerated transport is a unique capability a full-service provider like Schneider is able to offer within our larger dedicated portfolio, providing custom-based solutions that match what our customers need when they need it,” said John Bozec, Schneider senior vice president and general manager of truckload and Mexico. “We know the most important aspect of refrigerated transport is delivering ‘on time and on temp’ and our team of experts have built longstanding collaborative relationships with customers in the space by ensuring reliability, capacity and consistent best-in-class service.”
