To make matters worse, diesel prices continued to climb through the end of last year. The average price of on-highway diesel fuel jumped by 4.6 cents during the last week of 2016, reaching nearly $2.59 per gallon at the pump. That’s 37.5 cents more expensive than the same week of 2015. Though this doesn’t compare to the shockingly high prices of a few years ago, it still affects any trucking outfit’s bottom line.
“It’s horrible, and I think this is an area Mr. Trump needs to focus on,” Gregosanc stresses. “It’s the biggest issue right now. Trucks are tough.”
On The Horizon
Despite the obstacles, struggles, and headaches, Chicago produce is still alive and kicking, and most industry pro-fessionals believe little will changein the coming year. After all, the Windy City is an extremely popular destination for travelers from across the country and even the world—and this trend is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.
“Issues aside, we’re still going to be a big tourist attraction,” comments Gregosanc. “There will always be a need for the cornucopia of vendors here, and there are always going to be niche markets, because it’s Chicago. It’s a melting pot of people, personalities, incomes, socioeconomic structures, and tastes.”
“I think 2017 will be very big with more trends coming around,” shares Wandersee. “I guess we’ll see as the year goes on.”
Sugrue believes Chicago will also see more emerging retail stores, whether it’s large format, small format, club stores, or home delivery options. “With 9 million-plus people in the Chicago metro area,” he adds, “there is opportunity for everyone.”
Images: Kryvenok Anastasiia & Chicago International Produce Market/Shutterstock.com
