Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
With the citrus season underway in the Southern Hemisphere, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) released a statement projecting a 15 percent increase in citrus imports this season.
To gear up for the surge, the ports are ramping up investments in cold chain facilities and enhanced vessel services.
Savannah and Brunswick ports now offer new shipping routes connecting West and South Africa to Savannah, with a 26-day transit time.
Georgia Ports Authority’s CEO, Griff Lynch, states that the ports are prepared for initial arrivals from South Africa, South America, and other regional markets, expected to begin in May and June.
“This year, we will be serving a broader portfolio of citrus customers and cold chain shippers,” Lynch adds. “We’ve added new vessel services to citrus markets, and we have a new $4.5 million temperature-controlled, CBP inspection site opening in June, which is on our Garden City Terminal for ease of use.”
US Customs and Border Protection operations at the Port of Savannah will expand to include a 4,000-square-foot refrigerated space for inspections of chilled cargo. This will allow produce importers to choose on-port or off-dock inspections at refrigerated warehouses.
This feature is part of a new 300,000-square-foot facility at Garden City Terminal, which opened in February and is being expanded to support temperature-controlled cargo requiring inspections by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Peruvian avocado exports soared by 38 percent in 2025, but expectations are lower for this year.
The 2026 Peruvian Hass avocado season is projected to close with exports exceeding 765 thousand metric tons (MT), a six percent increase from the 723 thousand MT exported in 2025, according to ProHass.
Europe will remain the main destination for Peruvian Hass avocados. with shipments to the continent estimated at 488 thousand MT, equivalent to 64 percent of the total exported volume. However, Europe’s explosive 39 percent growth in 2025 is unlikely to be repeated, forcing exporters and importers to plan their commercial operations accordingly and ensure an orderly supply during the season.
The United States is expected to receive six percent more fruit, equivalent to about 107 thousand MT, while Asia is projected to reach nearly 82 thousand MT, an eight percent increase over the previous year. This consolidates Asia’s growing relevance to the Peruvian Hass avocado industry, especially in markets such as China, Korea, and Japan.
Meanwhile, Chile and Argentina will jointly account for around 86 thousand MT, maintaining their complementary roles within the sector’s export strategy.
California strawberry loadings are expected to remain ample throughout the season.
The California Strawberry Commission of Watsonville, CA projects weekly volumes between 7 and 8 million trays through August, supporting sustained retail promotions and consistent market availability during key demand periods.
California, which accounts for approximately 90 percent of US strawberry production, is expected to see a slight expansion in planted area.
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), acreage in the Golden State is projected to increase by two percent year-on-year to about 43,700 acres. This growth, combined with the introduction of new varieties, is expected to support an uplift in fresh output.
“We project an increase in overall fresh production compared to 2025, based on a slight increase in acreage and the new varieties now in production,” Christian says. Peak shipments are expected between May and August, aligning with historical consumption trends.
Despite some pest pressure linked to warm conditions, growers continue to report strong crop performance. Overall, the market outlook points to a well-supplied season characterized by strong production fundamentals, good fruit quality, and continued promotional opportunities.
Zespri’s RubyRed kiwifruit exports to the US are projected to triple this year, with the fruit hitting store shelves by mid-April.
New Zealand’s kiwi powerhouse Zespri also is bringing its berry-flavored RubyRed variety to retailers in Australia, Vietnam, and Canada.
Zespri credits this expansion to a bumper crop, with production jumping from three million trays in 2025 to five million, or 18,000 tons. This season, thanks to increased volume and demand, RubyRed will reach shoppers in 16 markets.
Zespri notes that RubyRed Kiwifruit has quickly captured North American taste buds, especially the US, and now plays a key role in launching the company’s sales season.
The company reports consumers are loving its bright red colour and sweet, berry-like taste, and it’s also attracting new and younger consumers to the kiwifruit category, as well as the wider fruit category.
Moving into the next quarter of the Washington apple shipping season, the industry has continued to revise crop estimates downward, according to the Produce Alliance LLC of Chicago.
Current projections place the crop near 130 million boxes, compared to early-season expectations of 140 plus million boxes. The adjustment has largely been driven by lower-than-anticipated pack-out
percentages across several varieties, reducing the overall number of fresh market cartons available.
At this point, the crop is estimated to be roughly 8% smaller than last season, which has begun to
tighten the supply picture as the storage season progresses.
Sizing continues to be one of the primary challenges this season. The crop skewed larger overall, and
smaller sizes that were packed (113–175 ct) are being heavily directed into retail bag programs, which are currently paying a premium over traditional tray pack markets.
As a result, foodservice and wholesale channels are seeing tight availability on the smaller counts. Washington will continue to ship fruit from controlled atmosphere storage with good overall quality, but the combination of reduced pack-outs, smaller storage inventories, and strong retail bagdemand is expected to keep markets firm.
The latest US Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS) report comes bearing good news and a revised forecast for the Florida citrus industry, up two percent from the previous January estimate.
The good news comes following a devastating February freeze that wreaked havoc on the state’s blueberry and strawberry fields.
Florida will end the season with 12.2 million boxes, down only one percent from the previous year. Non-Valencia oranges will account for 4.7 million boxes, while Valencia orange numbers remain unchanged at the category’s end of the season in January, with a projection of 7.5 million boxes.
The effects of the cold snap might have been more evident in variables such as Valencia orange fruit size and droppage, which were below and above average, respectively.
The estimate for other Florida grapefruit production is up four percent, says the report, sitting at 1.25 million boxes—50,000 more in January. In the citrus breakdown, white grapefruit forecast is down 20 percent, while red grapefruit is up by 70,000 boxes, reaching 1.17 million.
Lemon growers are also celebrating, as the category’s forecast is up 29 percent since January, reaching 900,000 boxes. Meanwhile, tangerine and tangelos production will be up 13 percent, says the USDA, sitting at 450,000 boxes.
The agency’s citrus report also included revised estimates for other producing states, including California, Arizona, and Texas.
In the Golden State, all-orange production is expected to increase to 48.5 million boxes, up six percent since January. Lemons are also up to 26 million boxes, while tangerines and mandarins are up 11 percent and sit at 30 million boxes. The state’s grapefruit forecast remains unchanged at 4.3 million boxes.
Down south, the forecast for Texas oranges kept steady, with a slight one percent increase, leaving production at 910,000 boxes. Grapefruit did take a hit, with a 10 percent decrease that reduced the production estimate to two million boxes.
The lemon projection for Arizona was also down, though a bit more dramatically. The state estimate decreased by more than 20 percent, to 950,000 boxes.
The next and final USDA forecast for the 2025/26 season will be published on July 10.
The 2025/26 winter in Southern California was the warmest on record, and the result is an early bloom for table grapes in the San Joaquin Valley. Growers and shippers see the season starting two to three weeks earlier than usual.
Hronis Inc. of Delano, CA reports if the warm trend continues they could be harvesting grapes by the week of June 15. The grower/shipper notes other producers in the area and even stretching to Mexico are reporting similar sightings, with estimated harvest timelines varying by location.
Pandol Bros. of Delano, CA refers to communications among other area growers who indicate harvesting may be anywhere from 15 to 23 days early, but he’s cautious about such predictions. The harvest is still two months away and a lot can happen to affect it.
The Southern San Joaquin Valley starting the season at the end of June would still be early, as table grape picking typically starts around the first and second weeks of July.
If the season does get underway earlier this could extend the shipping season. Loadings typically last into December or January.
Pacific Trellis Fruit of Los Angeles recently announced it will launch of its Southern and Eastern peach program for the summer season.
Designed to provide a seamless, high-quality domestic peach supply, the program will feature fruit sourced from leading growers across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Running from May through September, the program ensures consistent availability and optimal eating quality throughout the summer months. By partnering with trusted growers across multiple states, Pacific Trellis Fruit reinforces its commitment to delivering premium fruit with exceptional flavor, appearance, and condition.
“Our goal is to bring the best of the East Coast and Southern growing regions together into one cohesive program,” said Mike Blume, East Coast Sales Manager of Pacific Trellis Fruit. “By aligning with top-tier growers and focusing on regional strengths, we’re able to deliver a premium peach experience that meets the expectations of today’s consumers while creating meaningful value for our retail partners.”
“This program is a key component in strengthening our overall fruit portfolio,” added Eric Coty, Executive Vice President of Fruit for Pacific Trellis Fruit. “By expanding our peach offerings domestically across multiple regions, we’re excited to provide our customers with a more complete and compelling summer peach program. With over 20 years of experience, Mike Blume brings a keen understanding of the finer points of this dynamic deal, and we believe his proven experience in the program will serve our customers well.”
A key highlight of the program is the exclusive offering of Chambersburg peaches from South Central Pennsylvania. Available only through Pacific Trellis Fruit during the month of August, these peaches are widely regarded for their superior sweetness, juiciness, and rich heritage. This exclusive window offers retail partners a unique opportunity to differentiate their stone fruit category during peak season.
About Pacific Trellis Fruit
Pacific Trellis Fruit is one of North America’s top year-round importers, growers, and marketers of premium fresh fruit, including melons, grapes, stone fruit, cherries, and citrus. In 2014, Dulcinea was acquired by Pacific Trellis Fruit and became their consumer-facing brand. Dulcinea is the pioneer of the PureHeart personal seedless watermelon, the Tuscan-Style cantaloupe, SunnyGold yellow mini seedless watermelon, and Pure Perfection melons. Pacific Trellis Fruit’s corporate headquarters is in Los Angeles, CA, with sales offices in Fresno, CA, and Philadelphia, PA.
Mexican avocado shipments are looking at yet another year of rapid growth in 2026, according to a March report by the USDA.
The document puts production at 2.8 million metric tons (MMT), noting a three percent year-on-year rise as strong US demand continues to pull supply north.
Exports are projected to be up to 1.31 MMT, with the US absorbing nearly 90 percent of total shipments. Demand tied to major sporting events, such as February’s Super Bowl, and holidays like Independence Day and Labor Day, is expected to underpin the outlook.
Total exports reached 1.22 MMT in 2025, up two percent from the previous year, with shipments to the United States totaling 1.08 MMT.
By all accounts, Mexico will maintain its leading position as the world’s top avocado producer and exporter, accounting for about 28 percent of global output.
The report also notes that improved weather conditions and production practices are setting the stage for an even larger, higher-quality crop in 2026. Planted area, however, is forecast to remain flat at about 662,000 acres. But yields are trending higher.
Late-season rains in 2025 extended into November and early December, replenishing aquifers in key production regions. Combined with mild December temperatures ranging between 68 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit, strong flowering and fruit set are expected to improve size profiles.
Orchard management has also been key to the sector’s sustained growth. While about 65 percent of the groves still depend on rainfall, producers in Michoacán and Jalisco are accelerating the adoption of pressurized irrigation systems to improve water use and nutrient delivery.
The neighboring states in western Mexico are the only ones approved for exports to the US and account for 85 percent of the country’s total output.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is projecting 17 million tons of Valencia oranges for the current 2025/26 season in the Golden State. The estimate is 16 percent above the production total of the previous campaign and five percent above the five-year production average.
The increase can be explained by a higher average yield, which the agency found to be 657 oranges per tree.
This figure is considerably higher than in recent years, representing a 19 percent jump compared to the 2024/25 season and 18 percent above the five-year average of 557. In fact, the CDFA had not forecasted such a high average yield since the 2015/16 campaign, when it estimated an average of 696 oranges.
The latest edition of the Valencia Orange Objective Measurement Survey, which has been examining the crop in the state since 1985, shows an interesting trend: a sustained decrease in planted acreage, alongside a steady average tree density.
These numbers reflect a higher level of agronomic efficiency, especially considering that yearly production totals don’t show significant variations.
Finally, the CDFA also reported an increase in the average fruit size. Valencia orange samples showed a 17 percent increase in diameter, sitting at 2.55 inches. This is the biggest size forecasted by the agency since the 2017/18 season, when the average fruit diameter was 2.58 inches.
For the survey sample, the CDFA randomly selected 330 Valencia orange groves proportional to acreage, county, year planted, and variety representation in the state. Out of the total, 313 of these groves made it into the survey. The sampled groves were primarily in the top Valencia orange-producing counties of Tulare, Kern, San Diego, and Ventura.