Posts Tagged “California avocado shipments”

Colorado Potato Shipping Update; California Avocados to Increase

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007Only one state is shipping more potatoes than Colorado right now, plus soaring shipments are possible for the new California avocado shipping season.

Colorado is averaging around 750 truck loads of potatoes being shipped weekly, second only to Idaho.  Colorado’s San Luis Valley has remained relatively stable in recent years, with a 4-5 percent fluctuation depending on rotation of the crops.

In 2o15 plantings for the crop, which are now being shipped stood at 51,000 acres.  Conventional spuds took up 47,000 acres, and organics accounted for 4,000 acres.  Russets amounted to 38,540 acres in conventionals and 3,280 in organics.  There were 2,820 acres in conventional red potatoes and 240 acres in organics.  Yellows had 3,290 acres in conventional and 280 in organics.  Specialty potatoes had 2,350 acres in conventional, 200 in organics.

Colorado has finally been getting decent rains and snow packs and looking ahead to the 2016 planting and growing seasons, a lot of people are optimistic there will be a good crop and shipments.

Colorado potato shipments grossing about $1700 to Dallas.

California Avocado Shipments

The upcoming California avocado crop is projected to be 392.5 million pounds, which amounts to a 40 percent increase in shipments from last year.  Rains in California have certainly helped, plus the alternate-bearing nature of the trees is expected to have an effect on this year’s crop.  The Hass variety, California’s main avocado variety, tends to have a heavy crop, followed by lighter volume the next season.   During the last two years, California avocado shipments have been lighter and the trees are ready to produce again.

Shipments of California avocados start to build up in March with peak loadings occurring between April and August with availability into September and October.

Southern California, citrus, vegetables – grossing about $3700 to Dallas.

 

 

 

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Late Season CA Grape Quality Problems; Update on Pear, Avocado Shipments

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DSCN5367California grape shipments should continue through December, but your chances of claims or rejected loads may be increasing as late season quality problems are reported.

Confidence in the product is declining as complaints from retailers ranging from poor color on red grapes to decay and condition issues on all varieties are rising.   As a result wholesalers are managing increased volumes of fruit that fail to make a satisfactory arrival to retailers.   It is recommended drivers check grape quality at shipping point and make sure your receivers know what is being delivered.  Meanwhile, meaningful arrivals of imported Chilean grapes won’t occur until January.

San Joaquin Valley grapes, carrots and kiwi – grossing about $3800 to Chicago.

Northwest Pear Shipments

The preseason estimate of 20 million boxes  for Northwest pear shipments — 2 percent less than in 2014-15 — already has fallen to about 19 million boxes and could drop even more.  In late November some shippers were transitioning into red anjous, and volumes were picking up significantly after Thanksgiving.

There are also some volumes of boscs now being shipped.  Bartlett pear shipments should wrap up in February, while Boscs should ship into April and anjous into July.

Yakima Valley, WA apples and pears – grossing about $5000 to Houston

California Avocado Shipments

California Avocado shipments remain significantly higher than last year, but volume fell off sharply in late November.

About 27.9 million pounds of avocados were shipped in the U.S. the week ending November 28th, down from 48.3 million pounds the week before and from 35.3 million pounds in the same week in 2014, according to the USDA.

For the year, 781 million pounds had shipped through Nov. 28, up from 660 million pounds at that time last year.

Southern California avocados, citrus, peppers and tomatoes – grossing about $5900 to New York City.

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National Shipping Update: Bananas, Grapes, Avocados, E. Apples

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Here’s a national shipping round up on imported bananas, grapes and avocados from California, as well as Eastern apples.

Banana imports, particularly from Gulfport, MS, are expected to increase as fall kicks in and summer peaches, strawberries and other fruit shipments decline.  Banana imports are generally expected to be stable for the next several months from such countries as Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Peru.

Among the larger banana handlers are Del Monte Fresh Produce NA Inc.; Turbana Corp. of Coral Gables, FL; and Dole Food Co. of Westlake Village, CA.

California Grape Shipments

Grape loadings in mid-October were similar to last year with about 79.8 million pounds of grapes shipped in the U.S. the week ending October 10th, up slightly from 79.1 million pounds in the same week in 2014.  Season-to-date, about 2.34 billion pounds had been shipped through October 10th, up from 2.23 billion pounds last year.

Central San Joaquin Valley grape and other produce shipments – grossing about $5200 of Atlanta.

California Avocado Shipments

Avocado shipments were up significantly in mid-October with about 50.8 million pounds of avocados shipped in the U.S. in the week ending October 10th, up from 32.1 million pounds last year at the same time.  Season-to-date volumes also are up, climbing from 706 million pounds through October 10th, 2014, to 795 million pounds this year.

Southern California avocado, citrus and vegetable shipments – grossing about $4300 to Chicago.

Eastern Apple Shipments

Apple shippers east of the Mississippi River are reporting brisk movement, in part, due to less volume expected out of Washington state this season.

As of mid-October, New York apple shipments were on schedule to meet, if not exceed, the preseason estimate of 27.5 million boxes.  While no record shipments are being forecast, the volume is in line with the 5-year average for shipments.

Michigan also is having strong demand for its apples, and is running ahead of last year in terms of shipments.  Harvest should be completed by the end of this month.

Western Michigan apple shipments – grossing about $800 to Chicago.

Hudson Valley New York apple shipments – grossing about $2400 to Orlando.

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Updates on Shipments of Mich. Apples, Calif. Avocados

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DSCN2911+1The number of loads for the new season Michigan apple shipments will be down from original estimates, but still good…Meanwhile, here’s an update on shipping opportunities for California avocados.

Depending you who you ask, Michigan apple shipments will be somewhere between 22.5 and 25 million bushels.  Last season, crop finished at 27 million bushels.

The Michigan apple industry is still collecting data for the final 2014-15 estimate.

Heading into the 2015 harvest, Michigan growers are expecting similar volumes from the Ridge area, higher volumes from the Southwest, similar volumes from the East and lighter volumes from the Northwest part of Michigan.

Michigan blueberry shipments have just started.  We hope to have more info on loading opportunities soon.

Avocado Shipments

Over 70 percent of the California avocado shipments have been completed, with much of the volume now coming out of the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo areas.  California could ship up to 10 million pounds a week through mid-July before volumes begin a gradual decline.

Mexico’s 2014-15 crop is finishing up.  However new crop loadings for Mexican avocado shipments are just starting.

Imports of Peruvian avocados began arriving at US ports within the last week or so.

Southern California avocados, tomatoes, vegetables – grossing about $5400 to Cleveland.

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California Avocado Shipping Outlook, Plus an Apple Shipping Update

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DSCN4434Here’s an outlook for the new season with California avocado shipments, plus a round up of the huge amount of U.S. apples remaining in storages to be shipped between now and late summer.

California avocado shipments this year should be about 10 percent greater than last season, although in 2014 volume was the smallest it had been in a decade.

The 327 million-pound crop is coming on about a month a head of schedule in both the northern and southern shipping areas of California.  Volume is light now, but it should improve significantly by the end of March and will continue through the summer.

In an extremely rare weather event, 6-8 inches of snow hit the Temecula area in late December and early January.  The result the snow and wind was a thinning of the crop.  The weight of the snow also snapped some tree limbs.  However, there will be a significant increase in volume of California avocados from March to June, with peak shipment occurring prior to the Fourth of July.

Southern California avocados, berries, citrus and veggies – grossing about $5500 to Atlanta.

Apple Shipments

About 79 million bushels of U.S.-grown fresh-market apples had yet to ship as of March 1st, 28 percent more than last year at the same time.  However, the March 1 total was a whopping 37 percent above the five-year average.

Washington accounted for 70.6 million bushels of those still in storage. Michigan accounted for 3.08 million bushels of the total, New York 3.05 million bushels and Pennsylvania 831,200 bushels.

March volumes of all major  apple varieties were up over last year. About 29 million bushels of red delicious had yet to ship, up from 21.3 million bushels in March 2014.

Gala volumes increased from 9.4 million to 12.9 million bushels; granny smith from 8.5 million to 8.9 million bushels; golden delicious from 6.5 million to 8.1 million bushels; fuji from 6.1 million to 7.9 million bushels; Pink Lady from 1.9 million to 2.4 million bushels; and Honeycrisp from 652,000 to 1.2 million bushels.

Yakima Valley, WA apples – grossing about $6500 to New York City.

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Southern California Berry, Avocado Shipments; Mexican Imports at Nogales

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130While California vegetables and citrus have been struggling this season to get going, California strawberry shipments got off to an early and fast start it looks to continue strong throughout the season.   Unlike much of the nation, credit unusually warm weather during the winter on the West Cost, which hastened plant maturity.

We’ll also take a glimpse at Mexican imports through Nogales, AZ.

For the week ending March 1, the California Strawberry Commission reported 11.16 million 9-pound tray equivalents had been shipped fresh so far this year compared to 6.89 million at the same time last year and 9 million in 2012.  California produces almost 90 percent of U.S. strawberries.  The state’s 400 strawberry farms grow fruit on fewer than 40,000 acres.

California avocado shipments

This year, California avocado shipments should be at its peak from mid- to late April and continue through Labor Day. Volume should be about 300 million pounds. The 300 million pounds is more on par with the 10-year average.  Loadings originate from various shippers in Southern California.

Southern California produce shipments – grossing about $6600 to New York City.

Nogales Produce Shipments

While Mexican vegetable shipments through Nogales, AZ  are on a seasonal down swing, an exception are watermelons being imported from West Mexico.  The spring season has started three weeks earlier than last year.  The early time frame is attributed to earlier transplanting, improved growing practices and ideal weather conditions.  Watermelon shipments from West Mexico should continue in good volume through June.

Arrivals of Mexican grapes will start crossing the border within the next month.

Mexican produce through Nogales – grossing about $3800 to Chicago.

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California Vegetable Shipments to Shift from Desert Areas; Avocado Loadings to Start Soon

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HP0312As we enter spring (officially March 20th) two things are certain regarding California vegetable shipmens.  Number one, a seasonal shift is coming relatively soon from the desert areas of California and Arizona to the Central San Joaquin Valley and the Salinas Valley.  Number two, there is going to be a gap in in some California produce shipments as the transition take place.

However, the question remains, just when is this shipping gap going to occur given the roller coast weather?

Cold crops are grown in Central California and the Salinas Valley and shipped the year round, and celery is a 12-month mainstay from Oxnard to Oceano.  However, items such as lettuce, broccoli and caulifower and some others shift growing areas during the year.  Cold weather in Salinas and the central valley knocked out some plants in their early stages and delayed plantings for about a week. About 90 to 100 days later, one would expect to see a gap,  It will happen, but when?  The guess in within the next couple of weeks.

California Avocado Shipments

Avocado shipments in 2013 crop came in around 500 million pounds, which is larger than normal volume. This year, volume should be around 300 million pounds, which is closer to average.

In 2014, shipments should start ramping up anytime and showing  sizable volume increase by late-April, before making a significant bump  in volume entering the summer months.

 

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California Update on Shipments of Avocados, Tomatoes, etc.

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DSCN1781California avocado shipments should hit about 12,500 truckloads equivalents this year, up about 1,000 truck loads from 2012.   Because of the larger crop,  California avocado loadings are expected to run later than last year, continuing at peak volume through August and into September, with shipments running into November.

 About  2,050 truckloads of fruit is expected to be hauled from September through November.

Weekly avocado shipments in the USA this year have reached as high as 1,000 truckloads.  Loadings take place mostly in Southern California.

California tomato shipments

California mature green tomato shipments out of the San Joaquin Valley remain good, but are lighter than when loadings got underway in mid- to late June.  That steady, but lighter volume should continue through the end of the year.

Around the Oceaside area of Southern California, there are loadings of cherry tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and romas in addition to the vine ripened tomatoes.

Mature greens are typically sold to foodservice operators for their use with burgers or other dishes, or repackers, who package them in multiples, complete the ripening process and shipped to a variety of customers. Vine-ripe tomatoes are often shipped directly to the retailers.

Meanwhile volume shipments of Salinas Valley vegetables and San Joaquin Valley produce loadings of vegetables, stone fruit, grapes and melons continue.

Salinas Valley vegetables – grossing about $5300 to Chicago.

Southern California avocados – grossing about $7500 to New York City.

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