Final answer:
Carrier prices typically rise during produce season in the south due to increased demand for transportation, but may stabilize or decrease as local markets adjust over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
During produce season in the south, carrier prices tend to increase due to higher demand for transportation services. As produce must be moved quickly and efficiently to market, carriers can command higher rates. This phenomenon is partly due to the perishable nature of produce prompting a surge in demand for timely deliveries, leading to a spike in transportation costs. However, as local markets adjust over time, there's often a period where prices may stabilize or even decline somewhat after the initial surge.
For example, locally grown organic vegetables and fruits should theoretically cost less than conventional produce because they entail lower transportation costs. But this is generally not the case as reflected in figure reference pointing to the inconsistency in expected pricing patterns in local markets. Factors such as production costs, consumer demand, and distribution complexity affect prices beyond just transport costs.