One of the most active produce shipping areas in the United States is the Lower Rio Grande Valley in South Texas.
Numerous vegetables and tropical fruits from Mexico are crossing the border at McAllen, Tx and this area is only going to see increasing volume in the years to come. More warehouse space is being build to receive Mexican produce shipments and to act as consolidation and distribution centers.
Perhaps the largest volume item crossing the border – particularly this time of the year – are Mexican avocados, spurred in part by this Sunday’s Super Bowl. It has become a huge snack for people watching this event. This year over 285 million pounds of avocados will be imported to the United States; that’s over 7,125 truck loads!
Another leading item is actually coming out of South Texas. Grapefruit shipments are averaging about 400 truckloads a week, while Texas oranges amount to about half this volume. There are Texas cabbage loads coming out of the Winter Garden District near San Antonio.
Still, most of the produce volume is with Mexican produce shipments crossing the South Texas border. Items range from broccoli to carrots, roma tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries and watermelons, among others.
South Texas produce shipments – grossing about $3200 to Chicago; $2800 to Atlanta.