With Mexican watermelon shipments coming across the border ending soon, here’s three states looking to take up the slack. There also are a couple of shipping areas becoming active with other items in the west.
Mexican watermelon volume is rapidly coming to a close, but it is a slow start for the new watermelon season in Florida and Texas.
Immokalee watermelon shipments started in early May, with decent volume finally arriving this week – just in time for Memorial Day arrivals. Mexico had some late season disease problems with watermelons and you need to use caution loading Florida melons, as similar problems are being reported.
Texas Watermelon Shipments
Texas watermelon shipments are running a little late and good volume is not expected before May 2oth, meaning for the most part shipments will come after Memorial Day. Again, we on the look out for what you put in the truck as quality problems may exist due to high winds and other factors. Another concern is if hot weather arrives, the melons could suffer from being on the plants too long. This will not be one of the larger volume crops Texas has had.
Arizona Watermelon Shipments
Yuma watermelons should be getting underway in light volume this week. Average yield and good quality are being reported.
Arizona Potato Shipments
Red and yellow potato loadings from the Elroy, AZ , just southeast of Phoenix, have started and should conintue until about July 4. Mini reds, mini yellows and purple varieties of spuds should ship through August.
Walla Walla Onion Shipments
Walla Walla sweet onions are expected to begin shipments up to 10 days behind typical starts. The onions are grown on 600 acres. Volume should be normal, which would amount to around 600,000 40-pound cartons for the season. Shipments should ramp up towards the end of June and run through mid-August.
Florida watermelons, veggies and other items – grossing about $3600 to Chicago; $4800 to New York City.