Eastern Produce Shipments Still Light

Produce shipments from the eastern portions of the United States continue to be seasonally light.  Florida is still one of the better places for loading produce right now, although it’s biggest volume  in spring shipments are still ahead of us.  South Florida potato shipments continue to increase, but still are light.  Tomatoes are among the volume leaders with about 750 truckloads a week.  Plant City strawberry volume is in a seasonal decline.  There’s also varying amounts of citrus and vegetables.  Blueberries have started in light in volume, but increasing from Central and Northern Florida.

Central and Southern Georgia has light volume with mixed greens…North Carolina sweet potatoes continue steady shipments.  The state has 65,000 acres of sweet potatoes and ships about 50 percent the volume in the United States.

Truck availability has been tightening some in North Carolina and Florida, with rates from Florida showing a little strength.

New York state has light to moderate shipments of apples  and cabbage from Western and Central areas.  Apples addionally are being shipped from the Hudson Valley.  The Empire State also is loading about 150 truckloads of storage onions per week, primarily from Orange County.  Of course, apples, cabbage and onions are not compatible on the same load and can result in quality issues due to oder absorption, etc., especially on longer hauls.

New York cabbage is grossing – about $200o to Boston.

North Carolina sweet potatoes – about $2750 to Boston.

Florida vegetables – about$3000 to New York City.