Swift Transportation Co. said it acquired Central Refrigerated Service for $225 million, a move that officials said will significantly expand Swift’s temperature-controlled truckload business.

Two Mississippi businessmen have agreed to purchase Frozen Food Express Industries for $38.2 million, which could lead to the creation of the third-largest refrigerated carrier in North America.

Con-way Freight said it will raise its less-than-truckload rates 5.9%, effective June 24.

Produce shipments are being squeezed by capacity constraints and government actions, driving up rates as market demand builds toward the usual late-June peak, according to industry officials.

Three of the largest less-than-truckload carriers recently announced 5.9% rate increases, continuing a trend of accelerating the timing of rate adjustments.

LAS VEGAS — Simultaneous improvement in freight demand and a sharp shrinkage in driver candidates is squeezing truck capacity and ratcheting up pressure to raise rates now, ahead of expected productivity losses from upcoming hours-of-service rule changes, according to several fleet executives.

The Surface Transportation Board on Sept. 27 outlined a new process for determining whether rail freight rates charged to shippers are excessive, and the new process could increase the number of cases before the agency.

Frozen Food Express Industries reported a second-quarter profit, turning around a loss from a year ago, as its brokerage and logistics results improved.

FedEx Freight levied a 6.9% rate increase, prompting other less-than-truckload carriers to signal similar moves as they try to capitalize on a strong rate environment.