A Smorgasbord of Loading Opportunities

A Smorgasbord of Loading Opportunities

dscn01101Here is a look at a number of different produce loading opportunities from around the United States.

Washington Fruit Shipments

Both of the new crops from apples and pears are increasing in volume from the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys.  Over 2,000 truck load equivalents of apples are being shipped weekly.

Washington fruit – grossing about $4300 to Dallas.

Michigan Apples

Michigan apple shipments are moving in steady volume from week to week, averaging about 250 truck loads — mostly from Western Michigan.

Melon Shipments

Cantaloupe and honeydew loads, primarily from the Westside district in the San Joaquin Valley of California have been very good this year, although a seasonal decline is now underway.  Still, something like 1,000 loads of cantaloupe should be shipped this week.  Meanwhile, the new season harvest has just got underway from Central Arizona for both cantaloupe and honeydew.  The new season from the Yuma should be starting the second week of October.

San Joaquin Valley melons and grapes – grossing about $5100 to Atlanta.

Texas Grapefruit

In South Texas with the fall season, comes grapefruit shipments.  The harvest has just got underway and it will be the last half of October before there are volume loadings.  Literally dozens of different tropical fruits and vegetables from Mexico are crossing into the Lower Rio Grand Valley for distribution mostly to the Midwest and eastern portions of the U.S. and Canada.  However, volume is pretty light on most items.  Mexican limes are averaging about 375 truck loads weekly, while vine ripe tomatoes account for around 500 truck loads per week.

Mexican fruit and vegetables through South Texas – grossing about $3600 to New York City.

Colorado Produce Shipments

San Luis Valley potato loadings are amounting to about 750 truck loads per week.  Northeast Colorado has a sizeable dry onion crop each year.  There is currently very light movement that will be increasing in the weeks ahead.

Colorado potatoes – grossing about $2100 to Chicago.

South Georgia Vegetable Shipments

Harvest has just started, or will get underway shortly for fall vegetables ranging from sweet corn, to cucumbers, greens, bell peppers and squash.  Even when volume kicks in later this month, this is fall volume, and typically involves multiple pick ups.