Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
California and blueberry shipments are now in peak volume following the start of the season in early May.
Gourmet Trading Company of Redondo Beach, CA reports the West Coast is now the primary supplier of blues as Georgia and the Southeast are also loading, but experienced weather problems affecting volume.
Strong movement should continue through Father’s Day (June 21) with the strongest shipping window lasting for about a month. Then the season will continue through July, but supply will depend on variety and growing district.
The importer/exporter/shipper notes California is in a good position to provide a strong bridge into the Pacific Northwest blueberry season.
California fruit is producing excellent quality, with firmness, shelf-life and flavor.
Gourmet Trading company ships both conventional and organic blueberries to major retail, wholesale, and foodservice channels throughout North America.
Organic melons from the U.S. desert is underway and moving into good volume, according to Discovery Organics, based in Burnaby, BC.
While Mexican growers are concluding their seasons and the U.S. desert season started in early May. This is a little earlier this year due to the heat wave that the California desert had in April.
Production will continue for another three to four weeks before moving to Bakersfield, CA.
Discovery Organics is shipping certified organic watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, galia, hami and Honeysaurus melons. It also has black seedless watermelons.
Meanwhile, Discovery Organics is also starting with U.S. organic nectarines, peaches, apricots and cherries. The season has seen a great start and–like many California commodities–is early, with nectarines and peaches about a week to 10 days ahead of historical starts.
Orange supplies remain extremely limited, particularly for the 113- and 138-count sizes. This tight supply is being felt across all growing regions, and unfortunately, no improvement is expected until the Chilean and South African seasons start in July, according to a press release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Given these ongoing challenges, size and grade substitutions will be necessary to fill orders, with the 138-count oranges presenting the greatest difficulty.
California
- Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Oranges are available
- Overall supplies of 113- and 138-count oranges will be extremely limited through the Valencia season, which runs until October
- Expect to make size and grade substitutions, as well as date changes, to fill orders of small fruit
- Quality is good; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
- Expect high markets for small fruit (113- and 138-supplies)
- Mexico
- The Valencia season will end the week of May 25
- Overall supplies of 113- and 138-count oranges are extremely limited
- Expect to make size and grade substitutions, as well as date changes, to fill orders of small fruit
- Quality is good; sugar levels range from 11-13 Brix
- Expect elevated prices as these stocks help fill the void in California
- Florida
- Growers will ship storage fruit through June
- Supplies are dominated by 113-count and larger sizes; 138-count oranges are limited
- Quality is fair; choice and standard grades are most abundant
- Expect steady markets through June
- Imported/Moroccan
- Expect the Moroccan season to end in mid-June
- Vessel delays and holdups from the USDA have further postponed loading schedules
- Valencia quality is very good; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
- Stocks are dominated by 113-count and 100-count sizes; 138-count fruit is extremely limited
- Expect elevated markets into mid-June
Imported/South Africa & Chile
- The season will begin in early July
- Current rain events have growers worried about size structure upon arrival into the U.S.
- Supplies are expected to be dominated by 113-count and larger sizes
- Import palletization: 72 cases per pallet, Box weight is 33 pounds (15 KG)
- Domestic palletization: 54 cases per pallet (18 KG), Box weight is 40 pounds
Mexican table grape loadings started about two weeks early this spring and will be ending the season a couple of weeks early as well, according to Pandol Bros. of Delano, CA. Total volume also has been reduced from earlier forecasts.
Sonora Mexico loadings got underway in late April and are predicted to be finished the last half of June. As of May 19 about one-third of the crop had been harvested.
The first 10 to 14 days of the season, product hardly moved as retailers were still selling Chilean grapes. This resulted in very little Mexican product was selling during that time, and inventory started to accumulate at the border in Nogales, AZ Pandol reported. Around May 12 – 15, retailers finally started transitioning and since then, shipping volumes have been normal.
The grower/shipper noted yields have been disappointing and volume estimates have been revised down. The initial pre-season estimate was 18.2 million cartons, down from 22.7 million in 2025. However, revised estimates are in the 15-16 million carton range. Last year, the season was interrupted by rain on June 5, which caused production to drop and forecasts were adjusted downward. This year’s initial estimate was already lower than last year’s post-rain estimate and the revised 2026 estimates are even lower.
The market prefers grapes from Central California’s San Joaquin Valley and is eagerly waiting for the region’s harvest to begin around June 20 – 25, Pandol observes. Overall, Pandol Brothers expects to be finished shipping from Nogales before July 3rd.
Bell pepper shipments are underway from Southern Georgia, and round tomato loadings will begin soon, according to a press release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
- Harvesting of bell peppers began recently in Southern Georgia
- The season will run through July 1
- Production will increase this week
- Quality is very good
- Harvesting of tomatoeswill start in Southern Georgia over the next 10 days
- South Carolina and the Florida Panhandle will begin production on June 1
- Crops in these regions were planted after the Southeastern freeze earlier this year
South Texas is shipping its sweet 1015 onions in good volume, according to the South Texas Onion Committe of Mission, TX.
With ongoing loadings expected from the Rio Grande Valley through early-June and the Uvalde region continuing supply into mid-July, retailers still have significant opportunities to promote Texas sweet onions during key summer selling periods, such as with Fourth of July promotions. This availability allows retailers to keep Texas-grown sweet onions on the shelf during some of the highest-traffic grilling holidays of the year.
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he South Texas Onion Committee (STOC) was founded in 1961 through Federal Marketing Order No. 959 to support and oversee the South Texas onion industry. Representing growers and shippers across 35 counties in South Texas, STOC works to maintain quality standards, support research and promotion efforts, and strengthen market opportunities for Texas-grown onions. The committee is dedicated to increasing awareness and demand for the TX1015 Sweet Onion as the first domestically grown sweet onion of the season.
Michigan asparagus loadings got underway this season in time for the May 10 Mother’s Day observance, which is considered a normal start.
The Michigan Asparagus Committee reports a good quality crop, with shipments lasting about six weeks, or the last half of June.
While the season began with the weather resembling a roller coast ride, in the end cooler temperatures and adequate rains contributed to quality being quite good.
Last year, the Great Lakes State produced approximately 23,590 tons of asparagus, according to data from the USDA. Traditionally, about 60 percent of the crop is sold fresh, and the remaining 40 percent is processed into products such as canned, frozen, or pickled.
Michigan remains the leading asparagus-producing state in the US, with more than 90 farm families involved in production.
California apricots got an early start to the season, similar to many other West Coast produce items, according to Bari Produce of Fresno, CA.
The state’s Central Valley started production about 10 days earlier than last year and Bari Produce was already about one-third of the way through it’s crop in early May.
Apricot harvesting started around April 15th and following that earlier start, an earlier end to the season is also anticipated for around June 15th.
As for the quality of the fruit, reports are positive, brix levels are exactly where they should be and the fruit tastes sweet, the company notes. The first variety was a bit smaller in size, just due to less time on the tree to get ripe. Better sizing of fruit has arrived as the season progresses.
Ships for Memorial Day is typically a big time for volume.
Meanwhile the company is shipping peaches and nectarines and plums will start by the end of the month.
Total peach production is projected to decline nearly 10 per cent to 480,000 tons, down from 532,000 tons last year.
California produced 320,000 tons of freestone peaches in 2025, with 2026 production estimated at 310,000 tons. Cling peach production is projected at 170,000 tons this year, down from 212,000 tons in 2025.
The Brazilian mango industry is facing a difficult start to the year due to heavy rains in the São Francisco Valley, the country’s primary production region. “Approximately 60% of my harvest was destined for the domestic market due to quality concerns,” stated Ronaldo Araujo, CEO of Sebastião da Manga.
According to Araujo, the rain primarily affected the fruit’s external quality, emphasizing that the issue was not quantity but exportability. “We experienced significant losses because of the rain, leading us to focus on the local market to avoid client problems,” he said. In Brazil, consumers are more tolerant of mangoes with minor imperfections, which helped us temporarily redirect the fruit.
The São Francisco Valley, responsible for 90% of Brazil’s mango exports, has been hit the hardest by the weather.
This development aligns with the decreased availability of Mexican mango in the global market, creating an opportunity for Brazil. “Mexico’s production is lower this year, and anthracnose issues are also affecting supply. That’s why the United States is sourcing produce from Brazil to load in May and June,” Araujo stated. The rising demand in North America might result in higher prices.
Brazil maintains its position as a year-round supplier thanks to its continuous production cycle, unlike other countries with more seasonal supplies, such as Peru or Ecuador. “Brazil is the only country that produces mango 12 months of the year; the others work in windows,” the grower pointed out.
Tommy Atkins and Palmer varieties still dominate Brazilian plantations, with Tommy Atkins being more sensitive to rainfall. “The Palmer mango is a little more resistant,” he added.
The sector is optimistic that exports will recover in the second half of the year, supported by higher-quality fruit and more favorable weather. “We expect quality to be very good for export,” Araujo stated.
Rosy Red Valencias, an exciting new citrus variety native to California’s Central Valley, will be available at Bee Sweet Citrus of Fowler, CA later this spring.
Discovered in 2009 by Bee Sweet Citrus grower Nancy Lange, this variety is an excellent choice for customers seeking unique produce to enhance their summer selection.
“The Rosy Red is truly unique. As the only Valencia orange with beautifully tinted juice, it boasts a vibrant rosy blush and a striking coral-colored flesh,” said Bee Sweet Citrus grower Nancy Lange. “Its beautiful pigmentation comes from lycopene, a carotenoid known for its nutritional benefits. With its delicious flavor and healthful qualities, Rosy Reds are sure to delight consumers.”
Similar to Bee Sweet’s Royal Red oranges and Cara Cara Navel oranges, Rosy Red Valencias feature a unique coral-colored interior and a blushed rind.
Their blush is most pronounced during the summer months, and harvest runs from May through August. Their sweet flavor makes them perfect for fresh eating, while their abundant juice content is excellent for juicing.
“Rosy Reds were first discovered as a spontaneous variation on a single limb of a Valencia tree. We’re grateful that Nancy not only noticed the emergence of Rosy Reds, but also led its development and production,” stated Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Representative Joe Berberian. “We’re proud to include Rosy Reds in our citrus line-up and hope our customers enjoy their unique flavor while they’re in season.”
Rosy Red Valencias are available in both bag and bulk options. The packaging has been thoughtfully created to highlight the variety’s unique qualities and is sure to draw attention in the produce aisle.