Texas produce shipments, largely out of the Lower Rio Grand Valley, are led by citrus, onions, cabbage and greens. However, if you are loading produce out of South Texas, chances are you are picking up fruits and vegetables grown in Mexico and delivered across the border to a distribution warehouses in McAllen, Pharr, etc.
Mexico has emerged as the source of about 60 to 65 percent of the fresh produce that is shipped from south Texas to markets across the U.S. and much of Canada.
About 40 percent of fruits and vegetables consumed in America have been imported.
In fact, Texas has surpassed Arizona, which includes Nogales, in terms of total volume of fresh fruits and vegetables coming across the border from Mexico. In 2012, approximately 160,000 truck loads of Mexican produce were hauled into Texas, with 100,000 of those truck loads crossing the border at the Pharr-Reynosa Bridge alone.
With the nearing completiton of the Mazatlan-Durango highway and Baluarte Bridge in Mexico, the volume is expected to keep increasing.
Part of this expansion is believed to be coming at the expense of California. That state’s high taxes, and ever increasing rules and regulations continue to add costs to the operations of businesses, both in produce and trucking alike. This is making Mexico more attractive for agricultural operations.
South Texas produce – grossing about $4200 to New York City.