Food and Beverage (F&B) Logistics Companies & Services: What to Look for When Partnering

adam • January 6, 2022

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Food and Beverage (F&B) Logistics Companies & Services: What to Look for When Partnering

Especially when working with time-sensitive and essential products like food and beverages, companies must take the time to select F&B transporters properly. Companies throughout the food and beverage industry have issues with timing, proper temperature storage, and ensuring the transported has the proper verification. As stated from DAT about reefer, rates range from $3.66 to $2.84 throughout the U.S from the past 13 months. Reefers can help keep food and beverage products at the proper temperature for travel.

1. Start by Looking for Experts in Refrigerated Freight

If the transportation company does not have the proper refrigerated trucks or reefers to transport the food, the products will not make it to the destination. To ensure the shippers work with the appropriate food and beverage logistics transportation company, seek out companies that can:

Maintain temperature-sensitive products; even shelf-ready consumer goods will spoil early if improperly stored.
Ensure that your logistics providers possess adequate equipment to ship and store your raw materials.
It is critical to look only for logistics partners that comply with the regulations put forth by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Understands how to handle raw materials and finished products properly through each step of travel.
Utilize dry vans or refrigerated freight depending on the demands for the cold chain.

2. Remember to Assess F&B Transporters’ Short-Term Storage Capabilities

The suitability of using a dry van or reefer trucks depends on the shipment's temperature sensitivity.
Offer cross-docking as an option to improve service and reduce costs for temperature-controlled, perishable items.
Companies offer flexible and scalable shared space and labor to accommodate the dramatic changes in storage volume depending on demand and seasonality.

3. Evaluate The Provider’s Ability to Communicate and Share Data in Real-Time.

Companies that use advanced technology or implement modern solutions provide enhanced visibility, accurate real-time oversight, and improved forecasting. To achieve this, look for F&B transporters with the following options:

Advanced technology and integration like order management systems (OMS), warehouse management systems (WMS), and transportation management systems (TMS) are possible to use.
Integrated logistic services to help oversee and streamline the supply chain, control costs, and improve the quality of service altogether.
Can they identify local processing centers that are ready and able to accept fresh goods around the clock?
Can provide a team of experts available around-the-clock to help consider possible delays, for example, issues with the weather, to ensure on-time delivery.

4. Ensure the Provider Has All Proper Licensure and Requirements

To work with the best in food logistics and ensure the perishable products are taken care of properly, make sure the company transporting is credentialed and can show the following:

FDA registration, including a unique FDA facility identification number for each location that handles food products.
Proof of passing FDA inspections every three years in compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act.
An approved plan that identifies problems and solutions for any facility-specific issues that might compromise food safety.
Has an American Institute of Baking (AIB) certification for food warehouses and distribution centers
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification as a food-grade warehouse.

5. Assess the Transporter’s Reverse Supply Chain Capabilities

Reverse logistics starts with the consumer and will move back to the distributor or manufacturer through the supply chain. With food logistics, a product recall would be the primary reason for using reverse logistics. If the perishable items have an issue found in the entire batch or lot, the product will have a recall sent out.

6. Consider Type of Controls Are Used to Track Goods

Pest control procedures
Expiration date monitoring and lot/batch control
Quality control measures
Product segregation/anti-contamination measures
Employee background checks

7. Evaluate How the Company Sanitizes Equipment Between Loads

Working with the proper F&B transporters also requires proper sanitation and care for the vehicles used for deliveries. Make sure the company can follow protocols such as:

Pest control procedures
Expiration data monitoring and lot/batch control
Quality control measures
Products segregation/anti-contamination measures
Employee background checks
Proper cleaning of the transportation and equipment between deliveries

8. Consider Providers That Have Trailer Drop Programs Available

A drop trailer is a truck trailer that the driver leaves or “drops off” at a shipper’s facility for unloading or loading at the receiver’s convenience. Either the original driver or another driver returns to pick up the trailer at a pre-arranged time. Shippers should consider such a program if they want to achieve the following:

Ship consistent volume
Struggle with excessive load time
Need more space on docks
Want greater flexibility
Have enough space

Excel in Food and Beverage Logistics by Partnering With Entourage.

Working with perishable items in food and beverage logistics requires a lot of thought-out planning, visibility, and understanding the short window of time the product has for delivery. The food and beverage industry has very specific requirements for the logistics of warehousing, transport, and distribution. To receive the best support and assistance with your perishable products, contact Entourage Freight Solutions today.

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Tariffs, Trade Policy, and the Great Freight Fallout

By Nick Terry • April 28, 2025

In 2025, trade policy is no longer something that the freight industry can leave on the back burner. Trade policy today is shaping strategy at every level. From tariff escalations and retaliatory duties to sweeping regulatory changes and targeted maritime fees, supply chain leaders are navigating a freight market in which unpredictability is the only constant. Sourcing decisions are shifting, pricing dynamics are unstable, and long-standing operational models are being rewritten in real time. This edition brings together key stories highlighting the growing pressure across logistics channels. Each development points to an industry moving fast, and often reactively, to keep pace with volatile policy decisions. Tariffs Stall US Freight Recovery as Shippers Pause Orders The recent move by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to impose entrance fees on Chinese-built ships calling U.S. ports has only added to the confusion and uncertainty gripping global supply chains and freight operations. Shippers are pausing plans and slashing orders, with truckload volumes, containerized imports, and manufacturing output all showing signs of contraction. Ocean freight spot rates have collapsed: Asia-U.S. West Coast rates have fallen 61% since January to $2,050 per FEU, while East Coast rates have dropped 53.7% to $3,100 per FEU . Blank sailings are rising, with vessels leaving Asia half-empty. Amazon and Five Below are among the major retailers reducing orders from Asia. Container imports jumped 15.3% in 2024, but forecasts now predict a 20-27% decline through the summer. Exporters, particularly agriculture and forestry suppliers, are also squeezed, facing 125% retaliatory tariffs from China. Truckload and intermodal rates remain stagnant, while U.S. factory output fell sharply in March. US Apparel Importers Brace for Long-Term Volume Declines According to Trade Partnership Worldwide, a 124.1% tariff on Chinese clothing and footwear is expected to reduce U.S. apparel imports by 1.6% annually . China still accounts for 41.7% of apparel shipments, leaving limited flexibility for diversion. The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) is warning of price hikes and mounting infrastructure stress as sourcing pivots toward Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. A looming May 2 deadline for de minimis exemptions could further complicate flows and delay deliveries. Even with a temporary 90-day pause in reciprocal tariffs, the policy uncertainty already affects long-term planning. AAFA CEO Steve Lamar calls the shifting policies “chaotic,” and warned that high tariff pressure will hit both importers and U.S. manufacturers reliant on Chinese components. Port and rail capacity limitations at larger gateways are adding to concerns. Retailers now face rising costs, shrinking margins, and operational delays — all while consumer demand continues to shift rapidly. Freight Pricing Gains Lose Momentum According to the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index, Q1 truckload rates rose 5.9% above the 2018 baseline, but are expected to decline slightly in Q2. Shippers are responding to tariff threats with aggressive front-loading and shorter-haul routes, driving per-shipment costs to three-year lows. LTL carriers remain focused on profitable lanes and high-quality freight rather than chasing volume. The index forecasts a 0.7% year-over-year increase in LTL rate per pound for Q2 , despite sustained demand softness and macro uncertainty. A key driver behind the softening spot market conditions is a shift to shorter hauls and regionalized distribution, pushing per-shipment costs to their lowest point in more than three years. This trend reflects how retailers and manufacturers are repositioning inventory in response to tariff volatility, as NRF’s Jonathan Gold and DAT analyst Dean Croke noted. Meanwhile, the LTL sector is seeing a 4% rise in fuel surcharges, offsetting lower weights and shorter hauls. With the freight market still under pressure after 26 months of contraction, optimism remains subdued as we enter the midyear period. US Truckload Freight Spot Rates Continue to Fluctuate National benchmark rates have experienced a decline across all categories. As of April 18, dry van decreased by 4 cents to $1.62, reefer by 2 cents to $1.88 , and flatbed by 3 cents to $2.16. This marked the first overall decrease since late January, signaling potential shifts in market dynamics. These changes can be attributed to factors such as tariff uncertainties and tighter capacity, especially affecting the flatbed market. Flatbed rates rely heavily on manufacturing activity in the country, which has been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing trade war with China, and to some extent, with the rest of the world. US Finalizes Tiered Fee Plan Targeting Chinese Ships The U.S. is moving forward with a revised plan to levy voyage-based fees on Chinese-owned and Chinese-built ships calling at American ports. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the measure as part of a broader Trump administration effort to counter China’s dominance in shipbuilding and logistics while reigniting domestic ship construction and port infrastructure investment. Starting in six months, Chinese operators will be charged $50 per net ton, with an annual increase of $30 for three years . Non-Chinese carriers using Chinese-built vessels will face lower rates, beginning at $18 per ton or $120 per container, with annual increases. The USTR capped fee applications at five voyages per vessel annually, scaling back its original, more punitive per-port-call proposal after intense industry pushback. The fees are tied to findings from a USTR investigation, which concluded that China’s shipbuilding dominance — producing 29% of global fleet capacity and 70% of all container ships on order — stemmed from unfair trade practices. Exemptions apply to ships arriving empty, those in the Great Lakes or U.S. territories, and some bulk exports. LNG vessel transport restrictions will phase in over 22 years to support U.S. production. China’s largest container carrier, Cosco Shipping Lines, has sharply criticized the USTR’s plan. In a strongly worded statement, Cosco labeled the move as “discriminatory,” and warned it would disrupt global industrial and supply chain stability. Cosco denied allegations from that USTR investigation that claimed China manipulated its shipping and shipbuilding sectors to gain an unfair advantage. The carrier said it upholds “integrity, transparency, and compliance” in global competition and remains committed to ensuring the resilience of international trade. Walmart Investing $6B in Mexico, Central America Store Expansion Walmart of Mexico and Central America will invest $6 billion to open new stores across the region , reinforcing its long-term commitment to growth in Latin America. The expansion will include Bodega Aurrera, Walmart Supercenters, Sam’s Club, and Walmart Express formats, building on a robust network of 3,200 stores across all 32 Mexican states. This latest move echoes Walmart’s earlier $1.3 billion investment in 2016 for regional distribution and operational upgrades. The retailer entered the Mexican market in 1991 with a Sam’s Club in Mexico City. In a statement, Walmart said the new expansion reflects confidence in the region’s economic potential and consumer demand. Globally, Walmart continues to invest aggressively in infrastructure and store development. The company has pledged about $4.5 billion for its Canadian operations and $1.3 billion in Chile to build 70 new stores and a distribution center. In the U.S., Walmart is executing a five-year plan to build or convert more than 150 stores while modernizing 650 existing locations under its “Store of the Future” initiative. Experience Seamless Shipping with Entourage Freight Solutions Entourage Freight Solutions believes in total transparency in the shipping process. That is why we invest in tech solutions that track every shipment extensively, monitor every driver, and extract every bit of efficiency without sacrificing quality. Our state-of-the-art platform utilizes cloud-based GPS tracking to keep you informed, reroutes shipments on the fly to avoid delays, and even responds to real-time market changes to ensure you receive your shipment on time and as soon as possible. Our Services Full Truck Load (FTL): When you need a truck all to yourself. Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): Efficient solutions for multi-stop shipments or combining smaller loads to save on costs. Refrigerated Trucking: Keeping your temperature-sensitive products fresh and safe. Cross-Docking: Strategically located facilities in Shelby, Ohio, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Romulus, Michigan, for streamlined consolidation, storage, and distribution. Ready to experience a new level of service and control in your freight shipping? Request a quote today to see how Entourage Freight Solutions can help with your freight movement and other supply chain needs.