SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS DECEMBER 1992 THE ADEQUACY OF TRUCKING SERVICE SUPPLIES FOR PRODUCE: TRENDS IN THE 1980S

Abstract occurs when market supply and demand move rela-Over 90 percent of interstate produce movements tive to one another such that there is negative (posi-are by truck. In recent years, concerns have been tive) pressure on prices. Reasons for concerns about raised regarding the adequacy of motor carrier serv- trucking supply adequacies includethepossibility of ices. Reasons for these concerns include the possi- increased costs resulting from: relaxed economic bility of increased costs or service erosions resulting regulations (Breimeyer; Bernhagen and Nelson), an from relaxed economic regulations, an eroding road eroding road infrastructure and increasing conges-infrastructure, increasing congestion, more strin- tion (Office of Technology Assessment 1990), more gent safety regulations, demographic trends suggest- stringent safety regulations (Office of Technology ing the onset of an increasingly severe driver Assessment 1988; Glaskowsky), demographic shortage, and declines in rail capacity devoted to trends and other indications of an increasingly severe produce haulage. In this study, trends in the ade- driver shortage (Casey), and declines in rail capacity quacy of trucking services for trucking during the devoted to produce haulage (The Packer). 1980s was examined employing data sets developed The overall goal of this study was to determine if by the USDA regarding haulage from five growing there have been changes in truck supply adequacie