Join Tallgrass Freight Co. President Sean Richardson as he shares quarterly insights and key updates on the freight market and our company. Diving into the second quarter of 2025, Sean provides an update on the optimistic freight forecast and how freight agents can prepare for the impact of economic factors like tariffs and a possible recession.
There are strong opportunities in the freight market especially as you look to the second half of the year. Load count and volumes were solid across the board at the end of 2024, and we saw this continue in Q1 and expect this trend to continue throughout Q2. For freight agents ready to capitalize on a thriving market, the opportunities are abundant!
Despite this positive outlook, we expect to see an increase in the cost of freight during the summer and early fall. Freight brokers should be having those conversations with their customers now, communicating proactively and openly and having a plan in place.
Seasonal Freight Considerations
There’s a lot of common seasonality on the horizon for Q2, with produce picking up in the southeast. This will inevitably mean a lot of reallocation of trailers, vans and other freight transportation, so we’re forecasting a capacity shift. For seasoned freight agents, this should come as no surprise, as we anticipate it annually. However, it’s an important reminder to have those conversations with your customers now as there could be a price increase in some specific markets where produce is more heavily outbound. Successful freight careers are built on a foundation of solid communication, and this is one area where you can establish trust with those you serve.
Whenever the market shifts, whether in accordance with the season or due to unexpected factors, a great freight agent will already have a growth plan in place to make the most of these changes. This means being more than just a transactional agent, but establishing a valued partnership with your customers through meaningful conversations about their pain points and how you can help them overcome roadblocks with their business.
“I remain optimistic about the outlook for our agents in 2025. The freight market shows signs of opportunity which is ideal for freight agents. — Sean Richardson, President
Economic Factors and How to Capitalize on Them
There are always going to be factors outside of your control as a freight agent. Economic factors, such as fuel prices and the changes that come with a national administration change, are key among them in . Right now, there are two buzzwords in the ears of proactive freight agents: Recession and tariffs.
Will There Be a Recession?
While there are some signs indicating that there could be a possible recession, it is still too early to tell. There are a number of economic factors that remain strong, and we’re monitoring market conditions and will continue to keep our agents up to date. At Tallgrass Freight, we often say it’s not a matter of “if” something will happen, it’s “when.” There will always be outside factors that impact the economy and supply chain. Positioning yourself as a trusted partner to help your customers navigate those tough times is critical.
Looking back at the economic crisis in 2009, things still had to get from point A to point B. People were still looking for trustworthy partners to work with them through those tough times and make sure their distribution remained strong. From natural disasters to the Pandemic, we’ve weathered storms before and come out stronger than ever
How Will Tariffs Influence Freight?
Just as I said in the last freight market update, tariffs will trickle down through the freight market to the end consumer. Will these tariffs be beneficial from a freight standpoint? With lots up in the air, it’s still too early to tell. How long they remain in place will be a key factor. Once again, it’s about being proactive in your approach and having a plan no matter which way the tides turn.
The Future is Bright at Tallgrass Freight
No matter the market conditions, Tallgrass Freight is here to support our agents and keep them apprised of the goings on in the market and beyond. These market updates on our website are just one of many ways we inform our team. Agents receive in-depth market updates regularly, with insights on geopolitical events that could affect their business long term, as well as quarterly updates focusing in on the logistics industry and the outlook for the next few months. We also provide a freight news digest to our team, with conversation-starting articles agents can use to inform their customers.
In addition to these regular updates, every month we host agent forums providing newer agents with opportunities to learn from our seasoned veterans and training sessions with experts on niche topics within the industry.
I remain very optimistic about the outlook for our agents in 2025. The GDP is forecasted to grow by around 2%, which can result in many benefits in the freight and logistics world. The best time to bet on yourself? Today! If you’re ready to dive in while the water’s warm, talk to us today about joining Tallgrass.