Winter is never a great time for hauling produce as volumes are less and loading opportunties can become even worse as products are susceptable to the whims of Mother Nature.
It was reported recently adverse weather in Mexico is expected to cut loading opportunities at US border crossings starting next month. Now we’re hearing intial reports of imports of Chilean produce expected to be significantly hit, due to weather.
As US volume and loading opportunities seasonally decline in the latter part of the year, Chile is an important exporter of winter fresh produce to America. The product is typically picked up at ports on both coasts and distributed throughout North America.
There apparently going to be significantly less Chilean produce items for hauling this winter ranging from stone fruit, to kiwifruit, blueberries, grapes, almonds and walnuts.
The Santiago-based Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) is asking the Chilean government to declare a national state of disaster in the wake of the losses.
Up to 50 million boxes of fruit could be lost to freezes last September “….that sets up the biggest crisis that has affected the Chilean fruit industry,” according to one observer.
Red River Valley Potato Shipments
Shipments of potatoes from North Dakota and Minnesota is light to moderate as the focus still remains on getting the crop out of the ground. It is estimated the harvest is 60 to 65 percent complete.