Hang in there, spring may be a little closer than you think, although the official beginning of the season is March 20th. This is good news if you are looking to haul Florida vegetables.
Florida Produce Shipments
Winter vegetable harvests and loadings had been delayed because of the cold dating back to November. However, a warmer December is expected to result in some south Florida vegetable shipments occurring earlier than normal.
As a result, spring vegetable loadings in South Florida which normally get underway in early March could very well start in late February. South Florida produce volume has been lower than normal for several weeks now for items ranging from bell peppers to chili peppers, squash and eggplant. Florida never is that good for produce haulers this time of the year, and loading opportunities have been compounded by horrendous winter weather in the Northeast and upper Midwest. Consumers get out less to grocery shop, which reduces demand for vegetables.
South Florida red potato shipments have recently started.
Plant City, FL area strawberry growers are picking everything in sight as they wrap up their pre-Valentine Day’s shipments.
South Florida vegetables – grossing about $3200 to Boston.
Central Florida strawberries, vegetables – grossing about $2300 Chicago.