Archive For The “News” Category
The first annual commemoration of independence was held in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777. In a letter to his daughter (also named Abigail), John Adams wrote that day was celebrated “with a festivity and ceremony becoming the occasion,” according to the Library of Congress.
Massachusetts made July 4 an official state holiday in 1781, the first state to do so. And July 4 became more widely observed by Americans following the War of 1812 (which again pitted the United States against the British.)
Independence Day became the most important nonreligious holiday for many Americans by the 1870s, and Congress passed a law making Independence Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1870.
The Georgia Ports Authority hosted its 56th annual Georgia International Trade Conference, bringing together over 400 customers, business partners, and industry leaders to discuss the latest developments in maritime and logistics.
President and CEO Griff Lynch presented the timeline of GPA’s development over 80 years, which has seen a 784% growth in container volume to 5.6 million TEU since 1995, and highlighted how the new lay berth option at Ocean Terminal in the Port of Savannah will serve as a differentiator.
Next month, the new 1650’ lay berth will enable vessels to enter the port and tie up alongside before proceeding to Garden City Terminal during heavy traffic times.
“Two years ago, we embarked on a program to add more container capacity for the future by transforming Ocean Terminal from a three small ship berth for containers, RoRo, and bulk cargo into a two large ship container berth,” stated Lynch.
Vessels carrying RoRo and bulk cargo have relocated 90 minutes south to the Port of Brunswick, allowing the Port of Savannah to become a 100% container facility.
“We knew there might be some growing pains, but we’ve turned the corner now and our operations are getting back to their full potential as Ocean Terminal will continue to provide more capacity in phases,” Lynch said.
GPA financed Ocean Terminal’s $1.6bn capital improvement project through the issuance of bonds, taking advantage of favorable conditions in 2020 -2022.
GPA holds the highest bond rating of any Southeastern port, reflecting the confidence of financial markets in GPA’s future and growth strategy.
“Ocean Terminal plays a strategic role in our future vision,” said GPA Chairman Kent Fountain. “We’re pleased to see the engineering and construction progress, especially the lay berth capabilities that will come online next month.”
The potential effects of proposed tariffs were also discussed at the conference. GPA is in discussions with customers to address changing market conditions and the use of Garden City Terminal West in the Port of Savannah as a strategic on-terminal storage location for customers who want to flex supply chain speeds to market conditions.
The $200 million, 100-acre facility was opened in 2024, adding storage space for 20,000 containers. In the Port of Brunswick, 215 acres of new, on-terminal land parcels and storage sites were added, along with ample space for additional future storage needs.
Lynch also updated the audience on how the Port of Savannah has addressed vessel backlogs. Vessel operations have now overcome challenges caused by weather events, including an unusual Savannah snowstorm in late January, as well as river closures due to fog in February.
The ongoing improvements at Ocean Terminal in Savannah have enabled berth space at Garden City Terminal to be freed up, resulting in two weekly services returning to Ocean Terminal, effective May 1, bringing the total to four ship calls per week at Ocean Terminal.
The Port of Savannah was the fastest-growing port on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts in 2024, with a throughput of 5.6 million TEU.
This year, in February and March, GPA experienced record volumes in Savannah. Savannah averages 32-33 ship calls a week, generating 42 double-stack trains per week to inland markets with the industry’s best rail dwell times on port, averaging just 22 hours in March 2025.
“Customers are bringing new business to Georgia because of our world-class service, facilities, and speed at the port,” Lynch said.
Garden City Terminal handles 14,000-16,000 truck gate moves per day. Drivers moving a single container can be on and off the port in an average of 35 minutes. Dual export-import truck moves take only 57 minutes on average. Garden City Terminals’ gates are open from 04:00 hours to 18:00 hours, enabling many truckers to perform 6-8 port visits a day for trucking imports and exports to local distribution centers, which is a financial differentiator for inventory levels and supply chain velocity.
Other trends discussed were the acceleration of source shifting in overseas markets which included an example of how GPA is uniquely situated and qualified to accommodate trade growth between India and the U.S. India to Savannah transits are 10-14 days faster via the Suez Canal and 3-5 days taster via the Cape of Good Hope than India to U.S. West Coast routings. Other trends mentioned were the U.S. population shift to the South, with Georgia being one of the fast-growing states, and the manufacturing shift to the Southeast U.S., where Georgia is a pacesetter.
Lynch also illustrated how GPA is well-positioned for the future, with the current container terminal capacity of 5.6 million TEU in Savannah, set to increase to 7.5 million TEU by 2030 and 9 million TEU by 2035. Specific highlights are:
Savannah: Garden City Terminal
Ship berths
2025: 7 container berths
2030+: 12 container berths (100% increase)
Yard capacity
2025: 105,000 containers in 2025
2030+: 190,000 (80% increase)
Truck lanes
2025: 53
2030+: 100 lanes (72% increase)
Ondock rail
2025: 10x 10,000’ trains
2030+: 15 x 10,000’ trains (50% increase)
Savannah harbor improvements: Deepening by 5’ and creation of passing zones for ships.
Talmadge Bridge (over the Savannah River): Raising height above the main channel—a partnership with the Georgia Dept. of Transportation, completion date 2029.
Savannah: Ocean Terminal berth capacity
2025: 1 lay berth, serving 1.5 big ships per week (15% increase)
2026: 2 lay berths, serving 3 big ships per week (30% increase)
2027: 1 lay berth, 1 working berth, serving 4.5 big ships per week (45% increase)
2028: 2 working berths, serving 6 big ships per week (60% increase)
Savannah Container Terminal
2030+: 3 big ship berths
Brunswick: Colonel’s Island
2027: Fourth berth opens for RoRo ships.
2030: Rail expansion to 600,000 units per year.
The Northwest Cherry Growers reports there is a “potential for at least 22 million 20 lb. boxes, marking a 13% increase compared to last year’s harvest.”
Over 2,500 growers across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Montana harvest Northwest-grown sweet cherries, which account for over 70% of the nation’s fresh cherry supply.
According to the organization, Northwest cherries started earlier this year; however, this shift is not expected to impact fruit quality. The season is projected to continue through late August or early September.
With the season in full swing, daily shipments are expected to surpass 350,000 boxes.
Altar Produce of Calexico, CA reports it is significantly expanding its specialty vegetable offerings with plans for green onions, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.
As part of the initiative, the company has announced growth on its year-round green onion program, designed to meet the rising global demand with consistent supply, scalable volume and tailored presentations. With operations rooted in strategic growing regions, the program ensures continuous availability and optimal freshness for retail, foodservice and wholesale partners, according to a news release.
“Our ability to pack in any presentation format requested by our clients — from consumer-ready retail packs, foodservice to customized bulk solutions — reflects our deep commitment to flexibility and customer service 52 weeks per year,” said Rodrigo Torres, director of global sales for Altar Produce. “We’re focused on delivering value beyond the field.”
Altar Produce says the program is supported by its investment in infrastructure and production capacity, enabling the company to scale up volume without compromising quality. Each step in the supply chain is reinforced by stringent quality controls and industry certifications, guaranteeing premium, uniform product standards year-round, the company says.
Beyond green onions, Altar Produce is expanding its portfolio with a strong focus on Brussels sprouts and broccoli. These categories reflect consumer trends and market opportunities where the company’s expertise in field operations, postharvest management and logistics can deliver exceptional results, according to the release.
According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report, 2024 was a great year for fresh strawberry exports. Volumes increased 20% year over year to 351.5 million pounds, a new high for the industry valued at $570.3 million. Strawberries are now the third most valuable fresh fruit exported, behind apples and grapes and ahead of oranges and cherries.
Canada is the leading destination for fresh U.S. strawberries, followed by Mexico, where the share and volume of domestic supplies exports have increased in recent years.
Processed strawberries exports, mostly made up of frozen fruit, make up about 8% of exports by value. Frozen strawberry export volumes rebounded in 2024 after record lows in 2023, increasing 42 percent year-over-year to 31.1 million pounds.
Frozen strawberry exports in 2024 were destined mainly to Mexico, Canada, Japan, and South Korea.
Imports decreased only less than 1%, totaling 585.4 million pounds year over year. This breaks the five-year streak of increasing import volumes but is near 2023’s record high of 588.6 million pounds.
On average, Mexico supplies 98% of the fresh strawberry import volume to the United States when domestic supplies are lower.
Mexico’s strawberry production is expected to increase in 2025, driven by domestic and export demand. Most of Mexico’s strawberry production is concentrated in Baja California and central Mexico, including the States of Michoacán and Guanajuato.
As for processed strawberries, imports were valued at $373.4 million in 2024, a decrease of 1.8% from the prior year. Frozen strawberries comprise most of the imported processed strawberries, with the rest prepared or preserved items such as jams, pastes, and purees.
Peruvian trade welcomed 2025 with a 31% uptick, the Research Centre for Global Economy and Business of the Exporters’ Association (CIEN-ADEX) noted. The country recorded $6.2 billion in shipments, up from $5.2 billion during the same period in 2024.
ADEX President Julio Pérez Alván noted that January marked the ninth consecutive month of growth since May 2024, driven by higher mineral prices, improved cocoa prices, and increased volumes of grapes, mangoes, and cocoa beans.
Regarding the potential tariff increases announced by the Trump administration, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade Teresa Mera Gómez said the ministry is closely monitoring official communications and developing strategies to mitigate any possible impact on the sector.
Pérez Alván also stressed the need to address structural challenges affecting the competitiveness of Peru’s export sector, including labor informality and public security issues, which create uncertainty and hinder investment and economic growth.
Export Performance
According to CIEN-ADEX’s January report, traditional exports totaled $4.8 billion, marking a 33.7% increase and accounting for 70% of total shipments. Mining led the sector with $4.2 billion in exports, followed by hydrocarbons, traditional fishing, and agriculture, which saw a 6.5% decline.
China remained Peru’s top export destination, accounting for 51.5% of total shipments. Other key markets included the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Switzerland, South Korea, India, the United States, Japan, Chile, and Brazil.
Fresh grapes stood out as the top export product by FOB value, reaching $526.6 million—a 59% increase. Other notable exports included blueberries, mangoes, cocoa, natural calcium phosphates, refined copper wire, asparagus, and unalloyed zinc.
The U.S. was the primary destination for these products, with shipments totaling $828.6 million, representing 39.8% of total exports in this category and a 31% year-over-year increase. The top ten destinations also included the Netherlands, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Spain, Ecuador, Brazil, China, and Bolivia.
In total, 2,106 products were exported to 125 countries in January. Shipments were made by 3,520 companies, 263 more than in the same month last year.
Peru’s trade balance closed with a $1.7 billion surplus, with total exports reaching $6.9 billion and imports amounting to $5.1 billion.
In its busiest March ever, the Port of Savannah container trade increased by 22.5% or 98,000 TEUs compared to last year. In intermodal cargo, the Port of Savannah set a record of 52,645 containers moved by rail, an increase of 17 percent over the same month last year.
The Georgia Ports Authority handled 534,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units in March, its second monthly record in a row. In February, GPA moved 479,850 TEUs, also a high. Savannah is the fastest-growing container port on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts.
“The growth rate was largely due to two factors: Cargo coming back from the U.S. West Coast after the completion of labor contract negotiations, and customers front-loading orders to avoid new tariffs,” said GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch.
Terminal Fluidity
In intermodal cargo, the Port of Savannah set an all-time record of 52,645 containers moved by rail, an increase of 17 percent over the same month last year. The March performance edged out the previous record of 52,446 rail moves set in January 2021. Similarly, the Appalachian Regional Port in Northwest Georgia handled 3,566 containers in March, an increase of more than 1,100 containers or 47 percent compared to March 2024. It was the highest volume for the ARP since October 2024, when the inland terminal handled 3,666 containers.
Rail cargo remained fluid at the 85-acre Mason Mega Rail Terminal, with an average rail dwell in March of only 22 hours between vessel offload and departing train. Located on the Port of Savannah terminal, Mason Mega Rail handles 42 double-stacked trains per week.
The Port of Savannah’s Garden City Terminal completed 333,571 truck turns in March, with the port setting a weekly gate record of 80,505 truck turns in the week ending March 16.
“From our docks and the container yard to the truck gates and on-terminal rail, our operations teams are achieving strong metrics in cargo flow,” said GPA Chief Operating Officer Ed McCarthy. “That translates into supply chain velocity for our customers who want to exercise more control on order fulfillment speed.”
The average truck turn time in March was 35 minutes for a single move and 55 minutes when a driver delivered an export and picked up an import. Such dual moves accounted for 86 percent of containers moving by truck. Thanks to this terminal efficiency, local truckers can make up to six to eight daily moves to area warehouses.
“On behalf of the Georgia Ports Authority, I would like to thank our employees, Gateway Terminals, the local International Longshoremen’s Association, and the railroads, shipping lines, and motor carriers who are our frontline partners in logistics, serving our customers,” said GPA Board Chairman Kent Fountain. “In Georgia, we are united in our commitment to serving the farms, factories, and businesses that support the economy of our state and nation.”
Stronger Supply Chains in Savannah
To support faster service for ocean carriers, the Port of Savannah has added three new start times for work vessels – 6 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m. – for a total of eight start times per day. Vessel operations in Savannah are performed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Additionally, GPA plans to use dock space at Ocean Terminal as a lay berth or staging area for large vessels to be worked at Garden City Terminal. Starting in May, this will allow for a much quicker transition between ships, cutting berth idle time from 12 to 3 hours. “The Ocean Terminal lay berths will launch a new era of flexibility at the Port of Savannah, allowing us to turn vessels faster and more efficiently,” Lynch said.
Faster Customs Inspections
A new $44.5 million U.S. Customs facility at Garden City Terminal will double the size of the agency’s previous location by early June, streamlining on-site inspections for Georgia Ports customers. The project comes after GPA won a federal bid process to continue housing the local Customs operations on-site at Georgia Ports.
“For our customers, the speed and convenience of on-terminal Customs inspections cannot be overstated,” Lynch said. “Our owner-operator model and unmatched terminal space mean containers don’t have to be hauled off-port for Customs – saving cargo owners time and money.”
The new location will also provide 400,000 square feet of parking for outdoor inspections, accommodating Customs and other federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Economic Development / Investment Climate
January and February were the most active months local brokers have seen in this market, said GPA Director of Economic and Industrial Development Stacy Watson, “Across manufacturing, warehousing, and third-party logistics, companies are looking at facilities and getting information on what the area has to offer.”
Peru’s agro-export sector continues to expand, with key products such as blueberries, grapes, mangoes, asparagus, cocoa, and coffee driving growth.
In 2024, the country’s agricultural exports surpassed $12 billion, marking a 22% increase from 2023. This growth was fueled by rising international prices for certain products and lower production in some regions of Asia, Europe, and Africa, allowing Peru to capitalize on global demand.
In the framework of the webinar “Peruvian Agroexports 2024,” David Sandoval, CEO of Fluctuante, said that a few decades ago, Peru had a significant challenge: ” We exported to few markets, we had an infrastructure that was not as efficient as the one we have today, and also producers did not have easy access to financing.”
“Peru was not such an important player in the agro-export sector at the international level,” he said, ”but after 24 years, from having a reduced agro-export basket, we went on to export more than 600 products in this sector, and we have been able to conquer markets in different continents.
During this time, in addition to the traditional shipment of products such as coffee and asparagus, Peru has been gaining ground in blueberries, grapes, avocados, mangoes, cocoa, and coffee exports.
Due to the sector’s development, Fluctuante’s CEO stated, “We are pleased that in 2024 we will have surpassed US$12 billion in exports and that this transcends”.
In his opinion, the progress of Peruvian agro-exports does not stop. “For 2025, 202,6, and the following years, I am sure that the sector will continue to grow, but what is fundamental is to sit down and see what these figures are to take measures.”
The present and future look prosperous, but Sandoval said that the sector should not depend on prices. ” We must act strategically on our production and care for our crops and water resources and take care of all other resources such as freight, boxes, and all those that accompany the agro-export sector as a whole.
Consumption
The sector’s development must go hand in hand with increased consumption. In that sense, Sandoval exposed that in 2050, the planet will have about 9.7 billion inhabitants. “We are currently 8 billion people worldwide, and in 25 years, we will have 1.7 billion more people to feed.”
The agro-export industry sees this figure as auspicious—considering that it will go hand in hand with food production—but Sandoval pointed out that the birth rate has begun to fall since 2015, “but we should be aiming to feed the 9.7 billion people we are going to have by 2050.”
But he asked a question: Are we prepared to produce more and save resources or be more efficient in using these resources?
In this regard, he commented that agro exports should focus on three areas: population growth, especially in Asia; the development of the middle class; and data processing.
He indicated that the population would continue to grow, for example, in Asia and countries such as China, India, and Indonesia.
He explained that there is an interesting phenomenon related to the fact that the population that used to be poor is now becoming part of the middle class “and, therefore, has more resources to buy mainly food. That is why they are willing to pay higher prices per kilogram of the products we export.”
Secondly, he pointed out that consumer habits are changing. People increasingly demand fresher, healthy, and environmentally sound products.
The third point concerns the industry’s need for extensive data processing, “and we need to be productive and produce with long-term sustainability.”
Peruvian agro-export markets
The leading destination is the United States, with a 34% share and a 19% variation, with shipments of blueberries, grapes, coffee, and asparagus standing out.
In this sense, Sandoval stated, “We must diversify our markets because we cannot bet a little more than a third of our exports in this sector to only one. We should be betting on gourmet markets, niches, and Asia, which is growing in population.
The Netherlands has a 14% share and a 30% variation, mainly exporting blueberries, avocados and grapes. Then comes Spain, which ships avocado, asparagus, and cocoa. “If we add all of Europe as a whole, we practically also have 30% of our exports to the whole of Europe,” he said.
Asia, which includes China and Hong Kong in the global market, is in fourth position with a 4% share.
Sandoval also highlighted the relevance of markets such as Chile and Mexico. The latter is especially important for Peruvian table grapes.
Regarding Canada, he specified that in 2024, they exported mainly coffee, grapes, and also cocoa.
By Isabella Silva
The Pacific Northwest cherry season has experienced challenges over the past couple of years. However, as summer 2025 approaches, the PNW sees a positive turnaround for a change, preparing for a highly anticipated cherry season. For shippers, growers, and carriers alike, this time of year is more than just a harvest; it’s a fast-paced, high-demand opportunity to move some of the freshest, most delicate produce in the industry.
This year, Northwest Cherry Growers are optimistic, thanks to favorable weather conditions and a well-timed bloom. Industry reports forecast a strong crop with excellent sizing and quality, especially out of the state of Washington, the region that typically produces over 80% of the nation’s sweetest cherries. As reported by The Packer, volume is expected to ramp up quickly in mid-June and peak by early July. Timing and logistics will be everything.
At the Allen Lund Company, we get it: when cherries are ready, there’s no time to waste! Cherries are highly perishable and require temperature-controlled transportation and precise coordination to maintain their quality from orchard to shelf.
Here’s what to keep in mind this season:
- Time is tight. Cherries have a short harvest window and an even shorter shelf life.
- High volumes are expected, with tighter shipping windows and increased demand for capacity.
- Flexibility is key, as weather, harvest timing, and market demands can change quickly.
“Cherry season in the PNW is looking like it will be back to normal after a few disappointing seasons. We have heard great news from local experts regarding crop size and fruit quality for 2025. Our team is prepped and ready to start moving cherry loads!” – Lisa Towner, General Manager, ALC Portland
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Isabella Silva is Senior Marketing Coordinator at ALC Marketing. She graduated from St. Edward’s University in 2022 with a BA in Communication, complemented by minors in Psychology and Health Communication. In July of the same year, she began her career at the Allen Lund Company in the Marketing department. Isabella is currently pursuing her MS in Public Relations Innovation, Strategy, and Management at the University of Southern California.
isabella.silva@allenlund.com
Fresh produce grower, marketer, and distributor Oppy and G&M Farms, a berry producer based in Selma, California, will introduce a new wave of premium berries to the market this spring.
The companies announced in a release that the partnership builds on the success of last season’s Pink Cosmo and Hunkaberry jumbo blueberry debut and continues the commitment to deliver high-quality, stand-out fruit to the marketplace.
The collaboration brings new offerings to Oppy’s berry program, including Mango Kist and Maui Sunset blueberries and Sugar Diamond blackberries, and a pipeline of new varieties into the future.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the team at G&M Farms, whose commitment to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with Oppy’s mission to bring fresh, exciting options to our customers,” said Jason Fung, vice president of Oppy’s berry category. “Together, we’ll build on the amazing response to Pink Cosmo blues we experienced last year by introducing more premium, high-flavor blueberries and blackberries to set our portfolio apart.”
Complementing the new varieties, Oppy will also significantly increase its California blueberry offerings in collaboration with G&M Farms. G&M Farms focuses on advancing berry quality and production, ensuring that consumers receive only the best fruit available.
“These are some of the most exotic berries on the planet, and we’re confident they will intrigue shoppers and spark a lot of excitement in the berry category,” said Greg Willems, co-owner of G&M Farms, where harvest begins in early May.