From now until spring hauling fresh produce can be especially frustrating. Not only is volume generally lower than spring and summer, but fighting the winter weather can be challenge.
We’re now in a transition from fall to winter shipments as many growing areas in the Western U.S. are moving to more southern locations. Here’s a look at some of the most active produce shipping areas and what to expect in the weeks ahead.
California
The Salinas Valley is shipping over 600 loads of celery weekly, but many vegetables are in a seasonal shift and now getting underway from Mexico. Salinas/Watsonville strawberries are nearly finished, while Ventura County berries are increasing in volume. The San Joaquin Valley is still loading table grapes, while the Bakersfield area has carrots.
Grapes and carrots – grossing about $8400 to New York City.
Washington
Apples are moving mainly from the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys averaging around 2500 truck load equivalents a week, with much smaller volume in pears.
Apples and pears – grossing about $6300 to Atlanta.
Washington’s Columbia Basin and the adjacent Umatilla Basin in Oregon combined are shipping nearly 900 truckloads of onions and about 375 truck loads of potatoes weekly.
Idaho, Colorado and Wisconsin
Idaho potato loadings are pretty steady from week to week averaging about 1900 truck load equivalents from the Twin Falls area and upper valley. A significant amount moves by rail.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $3400 to Chicago.
San Luis Valley potatoes are shipped entirely by truck averaging around 600 loads each week…..Central Wisconsin from the Stevens Point area is loading about 500 truckloads weekly.
Arizona
Nogales has a few items coming from Mexico in fair volume such as watermelons and cucumbers. But volume is building, along with countless other vegetables, but crossings will not hit stride until around the New Year.
Meanwhile, Western and Central Arizona is just getting underway with Iceberg, romaine and leaf lettuces, along with other items such as cauliflower and broccoli. But we’re a few weeks away from good volume.
Texas
Mexican crossings in the Lower Rio Grande Valley are increasing, but still a few weeks away from good volume. Avocados crossings are approaching 1500 truck loads a week. Items such as watermelons and tomato volume is still light, but increasing, along with dozens of other vegetables and tropicals.