Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Peruvian avocado exports started in January, but the 2024 crop experienced small volumes of fruit from the inter-Andean valleys, especially compared to the large volumes that are estimated to leave the country in April and May, according the Association of Hass Avocado Producers and Exporters of Peru (ProHass).
As reported by Agraria, about 93 percent of the avocados exported from Peru are the Hass variety, the most exported in the world. In 2022, 554,000 tons of Peruvian Hass avocados were exported; in 2023, there were 558,000; reflecting growth of about 1 percent.
This year Peru expects to export about 468,000 tons of Hass avocados, which would mean a drop of 16 percent compared to last year, although it could be larger. There have been unfavorable weather conditions for cultivation.
Since there are no longer new areas of expansion, each climatic blow will be felt in the export figures; when it is growing. The adverse weather events are hidden by the new hectares that enter, but Peru is no longer expanding as it did.
There are several factors that are contributing to less overall volume this season. Mexico is already finishing its heavy volume of the season, with less production; California comes with smaller fruit and a drop of between 20-30 percent; Chile is no longer a player that moves the needle anywhere in the world, as they consume everything they produce and have problems with the availability of water; Spain volume is being impacted because of a water issue; Portugal has already stopped its growth, they also had problems with water availability; Some African countries such as Senegal, Tanzania, Morocco, and South Africa are growing, but they do not compete with the Peruvian avocado, as they go to other destinations such as the Middle East, they also go to Europe.
U.S. domestic citrus shipments are down overall this year due to lack of volume out of Florida, combined with cost of truck rates from the West Coast. This has resulted in East Coast buyers turning to imports.
The U.S. imports citrus mainly from Mexico, as well as Chile, Peru, and South Africa. In 2023, Mexico exported 1.6 billion pounds of citrus to the United States.
International Fruit Company of Hammonton, NJ reports imports are increasing from Morocco primarily due to the low costs. This year, production of Nadorcott mandarins in Morocco has increased by 20% in volume.
“The company reports if you want to ship fruit from the West to the East Coast, it can cost $10,000. However, from the East to the West, rates go down to $6,000.
East Coast buyers are looking to Morocco, Egypt, or even South Africa because costs are much lower.
There is a similar situation with Argentine lemons. It comes in through the East Coast at a competitive price, and it’s much cheaper to market there directly.
East Coast imports typically will reach as far west as Texas.
There is a good supply of lemons in California at the moment, so exporters would rather send their fruit to the East Coast where prices are more competitive.
Comparing total import volumes, the balance between what comes into the East Coast vs. the West is about 80 percent to 20 percent, company notes.
Import volumes to the West increase only during the California off-season from around May and October. During the season, local producers supply much of the market.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville, CA is forecasting big volume and shipments for domestic blueberries this season.
“We’re forecasting a strong harvest of domestic conventional and organic blueberries in the immediate months, from several different growing regions including California, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. This will all be followed by a large blueberry crop coming from the Pacific Northwest growing regions in early July,” shared Thomas Smith, director of sales at California Giant Berry Farms.
Conventionally grown Florida blueberries have recently begun harvesting and peak volumes are expected by mid-to-late April. Georgia production started in early April and will hit peak production in early May. Concurrently, the North Carolina growing region will add to volumes that bolster the southeast season.
Promotable volumes from the opposite side of the states—California’s Central Valley—will provide ample supplies of fresh blueberries from mid-May through mid-to-late June.
California Giant’s Oxnard California organic blueberry crop has been harvesting since early 2024 and hit peak production volume in early April, before a steady decline in May. The Central Valley organic blueberry crop will begin peak production in late April with production continuing through May.
“We’re on the right track to have a very good supply of high-quality blueberries throughout the domestic season,” added Smith.
Through the shared industry goal to drive significant increases in blueberry consumption, California Giant continues to deliver the best berry experience by providing a year-round supply of sustainably grown fresh berries that represent the highest standards for quality and consistency.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA GIANT BERRY FARMS
At California Giant Berry Farms, our 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, we have evolved into a global
family united by a passion for delivering excellence.
California avocado shipments are estimated to be down about 12 percent from last season. However, McDaniel Fruit Co., baseded in Fallbrook, CA, does not expect to see a decline in its production.
California is estimated to have 208 million pounds this season.
The grower/shipper/packer reveals with its growing partners, thousands of new trees are planted every year in California. So, while the California avocado industry is expected to be down, McDaniel expects to have the same volume of fruit as last year if not more.
The company also sees better sizing than last year during the peak shipping months of April, May and June and into July and August.
During the next few months, McDaniel Fruit will be shipping avocados from Mexico, Peru and Colombia, as well as from California. Peru is expected to be a significant player this summer and Colombia is also a point of origin with increasing supplies.
Weather and other factors have caused a few hick ups with imported Mexican produce so far this year, while overall volume has been perhaps a little lower, but decent.
Horton Fruit Co. Inc., based in Louisville, KY, also has an office in Irving, TX. It reports the 2023-24 Mexican produce season has been very difficult, with volume affected, resulting in some of the highest markets on record for tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers and squash.
Hurricanes late last year adversely affected plantings, plus low water levels in reservoirs in the Mexican state of Sinaloa and on the Rio Grande created uncertainty over water availability.
For late February, those price levels are unheard of, Wilkins said.
But overall, harvesting and transportation delays have been rare this season.
Horton Fruit handles avocados, bell peppers and cucumbers on a nearly year-round basis.
Between central Mexico, Sinaloa and some of the other areas Horton Fruit is mostly going year-round with tomatoes, hot peppers, bell peppers and cucumbers.
Primo Trading Services of McAllen, TX, reports Mexican onion acreage has decreased due to the lack of enough water.
Due to this problem the company expects fewer imports by the U.S. as well as a very strong Mexico domestic onion market. Primo harvested its first onions in early February], and will continue until mid-to-late April.
Northwest U.S. onion supplies were also at historically low levels in February, which was supporting high prices.
California citrus growers are expecting average production volume for all products this season,
California Citrus Mutual (CCM) reports it depends on the variety, with
Navels being up about 5% from the prior season, which was one of the lowest seasons the industry has experienced.
Lemon volumes are expected to decrease. A January forecast by the USDA reduced the initial projected volume from 23 to 20 million boxes for the state.
The on going mandarin crop ongoing is projected to decline from 23 to 22 million boxes.
Heavy rains from last year, after years of drought, are resulting in excellent fruit sizes this year.
Compared to the last couple of years, CCM reports this season started better than anticipated.
The Texas spring onion season was underway in mid-March with plenty of good-quality product, according to shippers
The Onion House of Weslaco, TX started harvest about 10 days later than usual due to cold weather. However, it had Mexican onions in good volume by late February. Excellent supplies should be available through April and most of May.
The Onion House ships 1015-type sweet yellow, white and red onions.
Little Bear Produce of Edinburg, TX is reporting good quality and volume would be similar to last year, even though acreage industrywide may be lower.
Val Verde Vegetable Co. of McAllen, TX is shipping onions during April until the middle of May.
The company, which recently doubled the size of its packing facility to more than 200,000 square feet, is shipping yellow and red onions this spring.
It started harvesting organic onions in mid March, which is early for South Tex Organics.
The company, which also ships organic oranges and grapefruit, will offer organic onions from March into May.
Elgin, MN – Honeybear Brands, a leading grower and marketer of premium conventional and organic apples, pears and cherries, is delivering a fresh-picked crop of apples and pears to retailers nationwide beginning in March thanks to its Chilean operations.
Honeybear Brands is the leading apple importer from the Southern hemisphere, ensuring retailers have premium conditioned fresh fruit to offer shoppers during the spring and summer months.
“Incorporating imports in the fresh fruit mix is a smart long-term strategy as many domestic apples begin losing flavor and that crisp eating experience after months in storage,” says Don Roper, vice president sales and marketing, Honeybear Brands. “With near perfect weather in Southern Chile, Honeycrisp fruit sizing and quality this year should be terrific.”
Honeybear’s Chilean Honeycrisp crop started harvest in early March and will begin to arrive by April into its East Coast facilities. In addition to Honeycrisp, organic and conventional Gala, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Fuji, Pazazz, and pears will be available. With operations on both coasts, Honeybear maintains its leadership position in providing retailers with premium fruit, executing 100% supply assurance and ensuring lowest landed cost apple and pear programs.
With its broad array of orchards in Washington and the Midwest plus its import production in South America, Honeybear Brands provides a turnkey apple and pear program for retailers all year round.
About Honeybear Brands
Honeybear is family owned a leading grower and developer of premium apple varieties and has been in operation for more than 40 years.
As a leading vertically integrated, dual hemisphere grower, packer, shipper, Honeybear offers supply of premium apples and pears on a year-round basis. Honeybear Brands is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wescott Agri Products. For more information about Honeybear, visit www.honeybearbrands.com and follow on Facebook.
Mango imports by the U.S. have suffered as Peru, a primary supplier, has had a major drop in volume. Peru will conclude the 2023-24 season with a 73% decline in exported volume, leading to a 27% drop year-on-year for U.S. mango imports of all origins.
The National Mango Board revealed March 8 Peru shipped approximately 161,402 boxes (8.8lbs each) of mangos during week 9. That is nearly half of the 301,928 boxes Peru shipped the same week last year.
The drop in volume from Peru this season was caused by the El Niño phenomenon, which brought elevated temperatures adversely affecting the flowering of mango trees. This led to prices in the U.S. market to reach unprecedented levels this season.
On the other hand, the Mexican season, which starts later than Peru, is providing stable volumes to the United States. Total shipments from Mexico, expected to last through April, are projected to be 1% higher than last year.
On week 9, Mexico shipped approximately 1.6 million boxes, bringing the total to 5.4 million boxes for the season so far.
Mexican shipments started to ramp up in February.
In February, Continental Fresh of Miami, FL reported they were experiencing the peak of the mango crisis, and they had not expected the drop in volume to be so drastic.
However, the company noted the Mexican season meant positive developments coming soon.
Promotional volume from Mexico is anticipated to arrive by April, providing optimism that the industry could mitigate the effects of the current shortage.
Brazil was able to cover some of the shortage this season, with volumes up 31% year-on-year.
As the season progresses, with Peru, Mexico and Guatemala supplying the market, projections indicate that by week 18, all three sources will export have exported 39,343,728 boxes to the U.S., down from the 56,224,325 shipped in 2022-23.
Argentine Chamber of Integrated Fruit Growers (CAFI) expects pear volume to be down 7 percent this season, despite having a normal harvest.
The Abbé Fétel variety was most heavily affected, with a 20% drop in production. However, because it is a smaller variety, the decline did not affect overall volume.
CFAI indicates 180,000 tons will be shipped to the northern hemisphere, and another 50,000 tons to Latin America.
While the U.S. produces pears, CFAI believes the quality may not be as good as some season and this will contribute to Argentina still having a successful season.
Argentina pears are normally shipped by sea until around May to reach the Northern Hemisphere and all year round to Latin America.
It was pointed out by CFAI the USDA made an overly optimistic forcast on Nov. 6, estimating “higher yields for an increase of 317,200 metric tons.
Argentina currently has 49,421 acres planted with pears, but that poor weather and above-average drought conditions in January and February stalled production in 2023-24. Overall, production is estimated to be down by 7 percent.