Trucking news · industry · Aug 15, 2026 · 2 min read

Freight Market Not As Soft As It Looks

Freight market rejection index reveals robust conditions, **85%** of rejections due to strategic shifts, not lack of demand

Reported by Ekjot Singh, founder of EK Dispatch Academy and an active North American motor carrier (EK Freight Lines, operating since 2014). Primary source: FreightWaves.

Ekjot's take — working-carrier commentaryThe freight market is more robust than it appears, with **85%** of rejections due to strategic shifts, not lack of demand

The freight market has been showing signs of softness, but is this a true reflection of the current state of the industry? According to the latest SONAR update from FreightWaves, the answer is no. A closer look at the Rejection Index reveals that the market is actually more robust than it initially appears.

## What happened The Rejection Index, which tracks the number of rejected loads, has been steadily increasing over the past few weeks. However, this increase is not due to a lack of demand, but rather strategic shifts in the market. 65% of rejections are due to carriers choosing to reject loads in favor of more lucrative opportunities. This suggests that carriers are becoming more selective about the loads they accept, and are prioritizing higher-paying shipments.

## Why it matters for dispatchers/drivers For dispatchers and drivers, this means that there are still plenty of opportunities to find profitable loads. However, it also means that they need to be more strategic in their load selection. By using tools like SONAR, dispatchers can gain a better understanding of the market and make more informed decisions about which loads to accept. At EK Dispatch Academy, we emphasize the importance of staying up-to-date with market trends and using data to inform decision-making.

## My take As someone who has spent years in the trucking industry, I can attest to the fact that the freight market is constantly evolving. While it may appear to be soft on the surface, the reality is that there are still many opportunities for carriers to find profitable loads. By being strategic and using the right tools, dispatchers and drivers can thrive in this market. - Ekjot Singh

## What you should do - Stay up-to-date with the latest market trends and data - Use tools like SONAR to inform load selection decisions - Be strategic about which loads to accept, and prioritize higher-paying shipments

Primary source: FreightWaves

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