Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Frank Donio Inc. of Hammonton, NJ is a 90-year old company with a network of family-owned farms, and a group of growers who have been in business for generations.
In a typical year, the company reports the New Jersey season will yield an average of 12 to 14 million pounds of fresh and frozen blueberries.
Sunny Valley International of Glassboro, NJ has long been a supplier of imported and domestic blueberries, with good supplies in the category 12-months a year due to winter programs from Peru and Chile among others, plus spring programs in Georgia and North Carolina.
The grower/shipper started shipping in mid June and has strong volume. It, as well as other Jersey growers are expecting have 30-40 percent more fruit than last year.
The company is expecting a great supply between the second week of June through late July for East Coast retailers.
Sunny Valley is also the exclusive marketer for the Jersey Fruit Cooperative, marketing blueberries for nine family-owned blueberry growers in New Jersey.
Sonny Boy Produce Landisville, NJ typically ships about 6.5 million pounds of blueberries a year. It grows and ships Jersey blues, plus works with other companies from other growing areas to supply blueberries during other times of the year. The company also is expressing optimism for the shipping season.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Morning Kiss Organic announced May 12 the return and expansion of its organic melon program, which includes mini seedless watermelons, cantaloupes and honeydews. The company said that — with its sourcing coming from Mexico, California and North Carolina — the program is designed to deliver melons throughout the summer and into early winter.
“Nothing captures the essence of summer like fresh organic melon,” Nelly Czajkowski, sales manager at Morning Kiss Organic, said in a news release. “These fruits are not only delicious and healthy but also a smart way for retailers to boost organic sales during the peak summer months.”
Morning Kiss Organic called the outlook for this summer’s melon crop very promising, saying it expects excellent volume out of California’s Central Valley. Such volume would support robust promotional activity throughout July and August, it added.
Morning Kiss Organic’s season will run from May through early December, with East Coast-grown mini seedless watermelons available from late June through early August. The company said it is looking forward to bringing in melons from a North Carolina grower.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Naturipe Farms avocado season is shaping up to be one of the best yet, with a strong supply driven by the growing impact of maturing avocado trees in Colombia.
With Mexico providing year-round supply and Colombia complementing the seasonal transitions, hass avocados from both these points of origin result in a harmonious blend, says Naturipe. By using multiple growing regions, the company can provide an abundant supply of avocados, meeting retailer demand, according to a news release.
“Our Colombian avocado program has been a tremendous success,” said Andy Bruno, president of Naturipe Avocado Farms Division. “We are seeing improved quality and consistent supply as our trees mature and produce even more avocados. Retailers have embraced this new origin, and consumers enjoy how consistently delicious, ripe and readily available the supply is. Colombia’s climate and growing conditions allow for multiple crops throughout the year, which positions it as a reliable source for a 10-month supply now and, hopefully, 12 months once trees are fully matured.”
Naturipe owns its own Colombian avocado orchards, which it says gives the company full control over production and the ability to deliver consistent quality and supply to retail partners. With more than 1,500 acres of land dedicated to avocado production, Naturipe says it is well positioned to continue scaling its operations to meet growing demand.
“Our ability to diversify our supply mix and seamlessly integrate Colombian avocados with our existing program has been a game-changer,” Bruno said. “We’re excited for what’s ahead and confident that our program will continue to deliver the great-tasting flavor profile of hass avocados that retailers and consumers want year-round.”
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Pacific Regional Office, released its initial subjective forecast for 2025 California almond production on May 12. Production is projected to reach 2.80 billion pounds, a 3% increase over the 2024 total.
The state has 1.39 million almond-bearing acres, 10,000 more than the 2024 bearing acreage estimate.
According to the USDA report, the subjective forecast is based on a survey of 500 almond growers conducted between April 21 and May 7.
This year, the almond bloom began during the first week of February in the Sacramento Valley and peaked by mid-month. Weather during bloom varied across the state, with storms bringing heavy rainfall, wind and hail.
The report notes that crop development in the San Joaquin Valley was slower than usual due to cool temperatures and reduced bee flight hours. However, conditions improved in early March, with warmer weather accelerating the crop’s progress through the end of bloom.
Growers reported significantly lower yields in the Nonpareil variety due to a lighter overall flower set compared with its pollinators. The impact of the intense summer heat on orchards in 2024 is still being assessed. Meanwhile, growers are actively irrigating, fertilizing and treating orchards for pests and disease.
On a positive note, water is not expected to be an issue this year.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
There are fewer grape supplies and shipments of Mexican grapes. Combine this with strong demand and there are higher retail grape prices and less volume. This situation is expected to continue through most of July.
According to a press release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA, updated estimates show Mexican growers lost 30 percent of the red grape crop and 24 percent of green grape harvests due to storm damage.
The most damage is being seen in red grapes as this crop was at peak maturity with high sugar levels at the time of the storm.
Quality is expected to be good, but mold and split grapes are problems. Quality control crews will double their efforts to ensure the best quality available upon shipping.
The California season is expected to begin in mid-July. Expect low volume and elevated markets for the next four weeks.
Mexico’s avocado industry is poised for another strong year in 2025, with production forecast to reach 2.75 million metric tons (MMT)—a 3% increase over 2024, according to the USDA.
The growth is driven by stable growing conditions, improved agricultural practices, and strong international demand, particularly from the United States. Exports are projected to hit 1.34 MMT, up 5% year-on-year, with the United States expected to absorb 80% of Mexico’s avocado exports by volume. Canada followed with 7%, and Japan accounted for 3%.
Mexico continues to dominate the global avocado trade, supplying nearly 88% of total U.S. imports in 2024. Domestically, avocado consumption continues to rise, growing nearly 10% to 27 pounds per capita in 2024. However, avocados are still considered a luxury item in Mexico due to their relatively high cost compared to other fruits. Despite its success, the industry is under increasing pressure to address its environmental footprint.
In response, the Avocado Institute of Mexico launched its Path to Sustainability plan in April, aimed at aligning all major stakeholders—from the country’s 35,000+ growers to packers and exporters—under a unified strategy. The plan targets four core areas: water, biodiversity, climate, and deforestation, and lays out a roadmap with specific goals and benchmarks to achieve water, carbon, and deforestation neutrality by 2035. The sustainability initiative also includes commitments to cover orchard floors, improve soil health, and restore ecosystems. According to environmental consultant Ernesto Enkerlin, the water footprint of avocado farming has historically been overestimated due to the failure to account for the ecological benefits of the orchards themselves. With updated methodologies, the industry now sees water neutrality as a realistic goal—and a potential benchmark for other crops.
Meanwhile, avocado imports into Mexico remain low and are projected to decline by 10% in 2025 to just 3,800 MT, reflecting the country’s ability to meet demand through local production. Imports mainly occur during seasonal gaps and come from countries like Peru and Colombia. With exports surging, domestic demand growing, and a bold sustainability framework underway, Mexico’s avocado industry is positioning itself not just as a global leader in volume—but as a model for long-term, environmentally conscious growth.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Global importer-exporter Salix Fruits kicked off its 2025 summer citrus program last month. This marked the beginning of the Southern Hemisphere’s citrus season, according to the company, and the launch featured products such as lemons, mandarins, oranges and grapefruits.
U.S. citrus production has been significantly high across most varieties, particularly lemons, reducing immediate interest in imports from the Southern Hemisphere, according to Salix Fruits. On the supply side, Argentina and Chile have recovered their lemon production, while Chile reports strong mandarin volumes but lower orange yields. Peru is set to increase its mandarin output, while South Africa anticipates an average production year.
Meanwhle, Salix Fruits highlighted several factors shaping this year’s citrus trade landscape. For example, Europe is experiencing lower volumes due to spring frosts in Turkey, impacting the export of lemons, mandarins, oranges and fine fruit, which may also affect the start of the 2025-26 season. Additionally, Spain’s decreased production of verna lemons, the early conclusion of Moroccan mandarin shipments and strong demand for Egyptian oranges indicate that Europe and Russia will be promising markets for exports from South Africa, Argentina, Peru and Chile.
Salix Fruits notes these production fluctuations create supply and demand opportunities, and this is where the company’s global sourcing and sales network becomes a critical advantage for its
clients. The company has offices in the U.S., Egypt, South Africa, Argentina, Chile, Spain, India and across Asia.
The U.S. remains a priority market Salix Fruits because of the consistent citrus demand.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The U.S. Apple Association in its latest fresh apple storage report, points out apples remaining in storages totaled 52.3 million 42-pound bushels, which is down 2% from last year, but still 19% higher than the five-year average.
Processing apple holdings totaled 20.1 million, which is 12% less than inventories from last May and 9% less than the five-year average for the association’s May report.
Washington state leads apple holdings of fresh and processed with 61,475,238 42-pound bushels in holdings, which is down from the 2023-24 season of 62,272,38. It’s still higher than the five-year average of 51,782,151. New York follows with 5,471,240 42-pound bushels in holdings, which is less than the 2023-24 season of 5,786,262 but higher than the five-year average of 4,348,970. Michigan has 2,223,000 42-pound bushels in holding, which is less than the 2023-24 season of 3,669,000 and less than the five-year average for holdings of 2,344,200.
Of the notable varieties in holdings, gala takes the top spot with 10,363,435 42-pound bushels, followed by red delicious with 10,434,547, then granny smith with 8,562,985, Cosmic Crisp with 8,230,476, Pink Lady/cripps pink with 7,340,180, fuji with 6,270,395 and Honeycrisp with 5,652,231.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Bountiful shipments of California strawberries are occurring at California Giant Berry Farms as the company shares news of giant volumes of its cornerstone product.
The berry purveyor’s high yields and volumes of excellent quality fruit ensures peak promotable volumes of California strawberries throughout the coming months and ample availability for National Strawberry Month and Memorial Day.
Over the next few weeks, California Giant, based in Watsonville, CA, anticipates peak supplies of exceptional conventional and organic strawberries from its Santa Maria growing region. These berries exhibit ideal size, quality, and flavor. While these peak volumes are expected to gradually taper down, the supply from Santa Maria remained robust through the end of May.
In the Watsonville and Salinas region, recent growing conditions are proving beneficial for the California Giant strawberry crop.
The company anticipates a significant increase in ripening, leading to strong and consistent volumes of premium strawberries from this region from now through the end of July. California Giant customers can look forward to a steady supply of fresh, high-quality strawberries from Watsonville and Salinas throughout the late spring and early summer.
The California strawberry industry is gearing up for a remarkable peak of season spanning from May through June—promising an abundant supply of promotable fruit. This surge in production presents a fantastic opportunity for retailers, foodservice operators, and strawberry lovers alike, with substantial volumes of strawberries for distribution and enjoyment.
“California Giant is committed to supporting our retail and foodservice partners in maximizing the potential of this abundant strawberry season and National Strawberry Month,” shared Tim Youmans, Vice President of Sales at California Giant Berry Farms.
“This is prime strawberry time to run creative, engaging promotions, and our team is ready to provide tailored support to help our customers achieve outstanding results.”
ABOUT CALIFORNIA GIANT BERRY FARMS
At California Giant Berry Farms, the difference is Giant. As the most resilient berry company in the world, California Giant strives to deliver premium berries while nourishing its communities. California Giant’s year-round supply of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries set the standard for quality and consistency and provides retailers, foodservice, and consumers with the best berry experience. Over four decades, California Giant has evolved into a global family united by a passion for delivering excellence. Quality, consistency and community inspire the mission and values that sustain the California Giant enterprise.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800404-5863.
California walnut growers are experiencing promising early-season conditions that suggest a positive outlook for the 2025 crop, the California Walnut Board (CWB) and California Walnut Commission (CWC) reported. These favorable climate conditions follow three consecutive years of average to above-average rainfall and snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The current growing season benefits from adequate surface water and replenished soil profiles, contributing to a strong bloom and early shoot development.
Early walnut varieties began to show bud break in mid-April, with varieties such as Chandler exhibiting healthy shoot growth across California’s main growing regions. The orchards are currently in a critical growth phase, which is essential for nut development throughout the season.
Industry representatives emphasized the significance of the current climate conditions. Davin Norene, a walnut growing specialist and owner of Big Time Farming, noted, “We are predicting a positive outcome for this year’s crop.”
Robert Verloop, executive director and CEO of the California Walnut Board & Commission, mentioned that growers are well-positioned to take advantage of ideal soil moisture and temperatures, which may lead to strong yields and quality for the 2025 crop. This favorable start is viewed as a positive shift after facing challenges in previous seasons, highlighting the resilience of California’s walnut industry.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.