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2018 Top Agriculture & Food Processing Carriers

2018 Essential Management and Operating Information for the 100 Largest Private Carriers in North America

Up Front

Here’s how shippers are coping with an increasingly constrained freight market.
Find out which North American regions host the largest private carriers.
How shippers are making better use of their limited hauling capacity.

Rankings

Current Rank Company Tractors
1
Nutrien
4,349
2
Tyson Foods
2,819
3
CHS Inc.
1,595
4
Frito-Lay North America
1,192
5
Darling Ingredients
835
6
Mondelēz International
779
7
Dean Foods
765
8
Prairie Farms Dairy
761
9
JBS Carriers
665
10
ADM Logistics
602
11
Nestle Transportation Co.
581
12
Foster Farms
536
13
Valley Proteins
466
14
Sanderson Farms
436
15
Gilster-Mary Lee Corp.
371
16
Bimbo Bakeries
353
17
Boise Cascade
351
18
McKee Foods Corp.
346
19
Pinnacle Agriculture Distribution
331
20
J.R. Simplot Co.
310
21
Wilbur-Ellis Co.
300
22
Borden Dairy
295
23
Dairy Farmers of America
255
24
Wayne Farms
208
25
Cargill Meat Solutions
185
26
America's Service Line
184
27
Goya Foods
178
28
American Proteins Inc.
157
29
International Paper Co.
156
30
RWI Transportation
134
31
Franz Family Bakery
113
32
BCT Inc.
99
33
Upstate Niagara Cooperative
90
34
Co-Alliance
80
35
MFPS Transport
70
36
Umpqua Dairy Products Co.
68
37
Castellini Co.
67
38
National Food Corp.
64
39
Land O'Lakes Inc.
50
40
Brakebush Transportation
41
41
Golden Flake Snack Foods
35
42
Perdue Farms Inc.
32
43
Giorgio Foods
31
44
ConAgra Foods
23
44
Hillyard Inc.
23
46
Mennel Milling
19
47
Mid-South Baking
17

Extras

Learn more about Transport Topics' Top 100 Private Carriers
103

On the Bubble

Crestwood Transportation (414 tractors), manages a nationwide network of trucks to distribute crude oil, condensate, water and natural gas liquids.
If your company appears in the 2018 list, you have a few ways to announce it! Visit our logo library to get web- and print-ready graphics.

Private Carrier News

BusinessLogisticsGlobal FreightPrivate

Amazon Starts Bond Sale That Aims to Raise at Least $37B

Amazon’s deal is the latest in a series of jumbo bond sales by hyperscalers as they plan to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in AI infrastructure. Investors have so far been eager buyers.

March 10, 2026
BusinessTechnologyEquipmentSafetyLogisticsFor-HirePrivate

Truck Drivers Seek Predictability as Freight Market Shifts

In 2025, drivers prioritized reliable execution and predictable outcomes over short-term incentives, especially regarding their equipment, miles, pay and communication.

March 6, 2026
GovernmentBusinessPrivate

Retail Sales Fell in January on Fewer Vehicle Purchases

The value of retail purchases decreased 0.2% after no change in December, Commerce Department data showed March 6. Excluding car dealers, sales were little changed.

March 6, 2026
BusinessPrivateTop 100

Costco Tops Earnings Forecast on Strong Shopper Demand

Costco Wholesale's quarterly profit rose more than expected, showing the club chain is capitalizing on an extended period of sales growth. 

March 5, 2026
BusinessTechnologyLogisticsGlobal FreightPrivateTop 50Top 100

Amazon Web Outage Strands Customers

Amazon.com's website and mobile app malfunctioned for some users March 5, with critical features like product listings and checkout options producing error pages. 

March 5, 2026
GovernmentBusinessPrivateTop 100

Beef Prices Spur Senate Drive to Split Meat Giants

The U.S. meatpacking industry faces a new wave of scrutiny, this time from Senate Democrats seeking to allow companies to process only one type of meat and set stricter limits on the beef market.

March 5, 2026
BusinessPrivate

Kroger Offers Cautious Sales Forecast as New CEO Takes Over

The disappointing outlook suggests that competition is intensifying among food retailers to grab spending from cost-conscious consumers, raising the stakes for CEO Greg Foran to accelerate growth. 

March 5, 2026
BusinessTechnologyEquipmentFor-HirePrivate

Mack Revamps Granite Tractor as Lineup Overhaul Continues

Mack’s overhaul of its vocational portfolio also saw the debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway of the Keystone Class 8 tractor, which will replace the Pinnacle model by the end of 2026.

March 4, 2026
BusinessPrivateTop 100

Medline Shareholders Seek $3.4 Billion Stake Sale

Shareholders including Blackstone, Carlyle Group, Hellman & Friedman and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority are offering the shares, according to a filing the morning of March 3.

March 3, 2026
BusinessEquipmentPrivateTop 100

Sunbelt Enters US Market as Asset-Heavy Bets Gain Traction

Sunbelt Rentals Holdings made its U.S. stock market debut March 2, amid a recent rush by investors into asset-heavy, capital intensive businesses that can’t be replaced by AI.

March 2, 2026