Posts Tagged “feature”
By Kenny Lund, ALC Logistics
This past November, the United States stopped the production of the penny. It will take years for the penny to be flushed out of the system, as there are billions in circulation, but slowly, it will end up just a memory of an era gone by.
“Back in the day,” watermelon could be sold for as low as two pennies a pound when there was an oversupply. Changes in produce production and supply chain can be measured in pennies, but they can and should be measured in so many other ways. Likewise, availability, color, size, travel costs, packaging, shelf life, nutrition, and sugar content are just some of the many ways to measure the value of a watermelon. Anyone who has produced, purchased, or sold watermelon over a lifetime will tell you the dramatic complexities in the business compared to “yesteryear.” Like pennies in a jar, over time those changes add up. “Nowadays,” a watermelon’s price might reach 87 cents per pound, but it reflects the cost of delivering a sweeter and higher-quality fruit.
Multiply that complexity by the number of fruits and vegetables in the marketplace today. Some of which did not even exist when our company was founded 50 years ago. Today’s sophisticated shopper wants great produce year-round at a reasonable price. The complexity is managed by the growers, transportation companies, wholesalers, and retailers. These complex processes add pennies to the cost, but more importantly, they add quality and availability of the best produce in the world.
Complex growing systems, sales systems, transportation management systems, monitoring systems, appointment systems, and inventory management systems are working through the process to make things “easier.” AI is being injected into all these systems to make the complex even simpler. While I have my doubts on how seamless this transition will be, the goal is clear: a connected world that delivers fresh produce 365 days a year. Ideally, these advancements won’t just streamline logistics; they will give us the freedom to pause and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Time will tell if AI will free us up to have more time to relax and enjoy a slice of watermelon, purchased for just a few hundred pennies. The copper penny and the produce stand may both be fading into history, but the future of fresh produce is brighter than ever—evolving from a destination down the road to a seamless experience delivered right to our door, wherever we may be.
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Kenny Lund graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Business Administration. He managed the Los Angeles refrigerated transportation division of the Allen Lund Company for eight years, before shifting full-time into managing the Information and Technology Department in 1997, becoming the Vice President of the department in 2002. Lund was promoted to Vice President – Support Operations in 2005. In 2014, Kenny, in the position of VP of ALC Logistics, began working with that division of ALC to sell their AlchemyTMS software solutions. In 2019, Lund was promoted to Executive Vice President of ALC and ALC Logistics.
ken.lund@allenlund.com
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The Association of Avocado Producers and Export Packers of Mexico (APEAM) began a historic shipping season ahead of the Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl will be played Sunday, February 8th with a clash between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
The organization is projecting the shipment of 127 thousand tons of Mexican avocados into the United States during the four weeks prior to the event, representing an 11 percent increase over the previous year and a new historical record.
This achievement is the result of the coordinated work between producers and packers in Michoacán and Jalisco. Thanks to their microclimate, soil composition, and decades of agricultural experience, the states are consolidated as strategic regions to guarantee a constant supply of Mexican avocado throughout the year, meeting the growing demand of the American consumer.
APEAM expects fruit of excellent quality, in optimal condition for consumption, for the 2025-2026 season. This is the result of favorable weather patterns, constant rainfall, and the industry’s continuous investment in better agricultural practices.
Out of the total volume programmed for export, 88 percent will come from Michoacán and 12 percent from Jalisco.
The Super Bowl remains the largest consumption event for Mexican avocado in the United States, with more than 114 thousand tons consumed, mainly in the weeks leading up to it. During week 3 alone, 37,807 tons were shipped, but the industry is about more than volume this time of year.
“It is about certainty in quality, in the availability of sizes, in promotional supply, and in programs designed to support our partners throughout the year, especially during moments of high demand like the Big Game,” said Álvaro Luque, President and CEO of Avocados From Mexico.
In addition to this event, the demand for Mexican avocado continues to strengthen with key dates such as Cinco de Mayo and the summer season, which continue to drive consumption in the North American market.
October rains flooded Mexico’s orange groves, resulting a projected three percent decline in orange yields for the 2025/26 season and a 0.4 percent decrease in overall citrus projections, reports the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In late 2025, Tropical Storm Raymond and Hurricane Priscilla caused significant damage nationwide and struck Veracruz, Mexico’s leading orange-producing region, particularly hard.
Prolonged, erratic rainfalls destroyed several groves and delayed the October harvest until November and December 2025, leading to the loss of significant amounts of ripe fruit and inconsistent quality.
This year’s orange harvest is projected to fall short of last season’s, landing at just 5.18 million short tons.
This season’s numbers dip even further below last year’s, which had already dropped by more than 2.1 percent. The culprit, once again, is rain, the report states.
The orange planted area, on the other hand, will increase by 0.97 percent despite challenges posed by erratic weather, citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing), and other pests that are reducing yields in Veracruz and other orange-producing states.
While total production of fresh oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit in Mexico may decrease, average consumption is up by four percent. Likewise, exports are projected to rise by six percent, according to the USDA.
Lemons and limes are stealing the spotlight, driving the surge in both domestic consumption and international exports.
The total planted area for citrus fruits, including oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit, reached over 1.49 million acres, a 1.2 percent increase from last year.
Oranges account for 58 percent of all citrus plantings, lemons for 38 percent, and grapefruit for 3.6 percent.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Florida is the primary winter growing region for many fresh fruit and vegetable crops. The current forecast calls for abnormally low temperatures beginning Monday evening, January 26 and lasting through Saturday, January 31, according to Markhon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Central/Western Florida (Tampa region) is forecast to receive freezing temperatures as low as 31 degrees with daily high temperatures in the 50- to 60-degree range.
Crops growing in this part of the state include:
- Strawberries
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
Southern Florida (Immokalee, Ft Pierce, Belle Glade, LaBelle) is expected to fall into the low 30s with highs around 60 degrees.
Crops growing in this part of the state include:
- Bell Peppers
- Celery
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Lettuces (Iceberg, Romaine, Green Leaf)
- Radishes
- Squash
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Citrus
These abnormally low temperatures will slow maturity and push prices higher.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Favorable growing conditions and a shift to new varieties has Chile bubbling with optimism on a table grape crop which is increasing in volume with the recently started season.
An estimated 64 million boxes is forecast with an emphasis of limiting exports to the U.S. of between 3.5 and 4 million boxes weekly to avoid flooding the market. Now, the Chileans are just hoping the Peruvians can show as much restraint with their grape exports.
Chilean grape company Uvanova reports Ivory, Sweet Globe, Superior, and some Autumn Crisp are already being shipped. In red varieties, some Sweet Celebration, Ralli Seedless, and Allison are moving.
Some late varieties still remain on the vines to complete the mix, marking a gradual and orderly start to the season.
Over 80 percent of Chile’s table grapes are now of the seedless variety.
Meanwhile, Chile has reinforced efforts to diversify destinations. In addition to the United States, shipments have been directed to Latin America, Europe, and, to a lesser extent, Asia.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The first citrus production forecast for the 2025/2026 season, with projections showing a still depressed Florida citrus industry, has been released by the USDA.
The forecast reveals steady national numbers compared to last year, with a slight decline of two percent in total orange production. Numbers show the same drop in Valencia oranges, totaling 4.5 million boxes, and only a one percent drop in non-Valencian oranges, totaling 7.5 million boxes.
The state-by-state numbers show a bit more of a difference. According to the government agency, total orange production in Florida is expected to drop to a new record low of 12 million 90-pound boxes, down 200,000 boxes or 1.6 percent compared to last year.
This projection sets a downward trend for Florida citrus producers, who saw numbers drop dramatically since the 2023/2024 season, when production totaled a breakthrough 18 million boxes. Since then, extreme weather events and citrus greening disease have devastated the state’s once iconic citrus industry, which recorded its lowest numbers in over a century during the 2024/2025 season.
The breakdown is not gentler on Florida citrus growers, either—Valencia and non-Valencia oranges, as well as grapefruit are expected to be a million boxes short this season. Tangerine and mandarin production is forecast to remain steady with 400,000 boxes (down only 80 thousand from the 2022/2023 season), while lemon output will go up by 30,000 boxes compared to last year.
Regardless of these numbers, Florida Citrus Mutual is optimistic and emphasizes other fronts where the industry is seeing signs of a slow rebound.
“While this year’s initial crop estimate is lower than we would like, production is making steady gains on a per-acre basis and the industry is gaining confidence that we’re on the best path toward recovery as growers are reporting healthier trees and larger fruit,” he said.
The executive explained that innovative treatments, therapies and disease-tolerant trees are making “a real difference.”
In a statement, Florida Citrus Mutual noted that back in July the state received $140 million in state funds to support the local citrus industry. “More than $100 million was designated for research, field trials and planting disease-resistance varieties,” the document reads.
The Sunshine state also received USDA funding back in Thanksgiving, as the government agency pledged to buy $30 million of the state’s citrus through the end of 2025.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The U.S is becoming a more significant destination for Chilean cherries this season as exporters are shipping sharply higher volumes to diversify away from China, which still receives about 90 percent of the Andean country’s supplies, according to industry sources.
Shipments to the US have climbed to about 4 million boxes this season, up nearly 53 percent compared to last year, quality control firm Decofrut, which describes the US as a key outlet for balancing global supply amid slower growth in Asia.
The company points out agreements are made under contracts with predefined prices and volumes, which provide greater stability for the exporter and, at the same time, security for the retail customer.
The Chilean cherry season aligns with a strategic winter period in the US, when domestic production is unavailable. Unlike blueberries or grapes, which overlap between hemispheres, cherries only have a marketing window of about three months, making them a seasonal item for retailers.
Grower co-op Copefrut, also reports strong growth for Chilean cherries in the US market.
The cooperative notes the North American market shows a 73 percent increase compared to last season, and projections point to closing the cycle with a total volume 40 percent higher than last year,
Florida strawberry growers breathed a sigh of relief following recent winter weather in the Plant City area. The Florida Strawberry Growers Association, reports no snowfall in west central Florida during the cold snap, where the industry is located.
The organizaation noted cooler temperatures are good for increasing flavor and sweetness, and the crop is used to thermal variations, making it sturdy in cold weather.
Strawberry fields benefit from a technique similar to citrus’s microjet sprinklers. The main difference is that in the former case, water is sprayed overhead to keep temperatures steady at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
The weather forecast for central Florida indicates a return to warm temperatures, with thermometers expected to reach 79 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the week, and no significant showers until next Tuesday (January 27). As for South Georgia, temperatures will remain mild and climb into the upper sixties by Friday (January).
As the storm moves farther north, both states seem to be in the clear from freezing weather events in the foreseeable future.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The Andean country of Peru reached a new milestone by exporting 540 agricultural products to 115 international destinations in 2025, according to the Peruvian Ministry of Agrarian Development.
Official records of the country’s National Service of Agricultural Health (SENASA), reveal shipments exceeded three million tons. Avocados took the top spot in volume with 767,230 tons (23 percent), followed by table grapes (555,524 tons or 17 percent), and blueberries (343,537 tons or 10%. The top 5 in Peruvian export categories is completed by tangerine (8%) and mango (6%).
The main destination for Peruvian agricultural products was the United States, which accounted for 28 percent of the exported volume shipments, followed by the Netherlands (19 percent). Other markets include Spain, China, Chile, and Mexico, which accounted for 24 percent of total Peruvian exports.
Peru is the world’s leading exporter of table grapes and blueberries, the second in avocados, and one of the main global suppliers of citrus and mango.
The Peruvian export basket continues to diversify, with new emerging categories gaining traction and a bigger market share.
A good example is passion fruit, with exports of 418 tons, mainly to the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and France. The Peruvian government is confident that the category is on track to consolidating itself as a product with high potential in specialized markets.
Likewise, the golden berry reached 199 tons, reaching markets such as Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Russia, Dubai, Uruguay, Spain, and Hong Kong.
Chino Hills, CA — Despite a decline in Peruvian grape exports to North America early in the season, is charting a different course thanks to its long-term supply base and the advantages of aligning with Dole Diversified North America (DDNA) in October 2025.
The strategic integration of DDNA brings an additional 1.25 million boxes of grapes to Oppy’s program from Peru and Chile, up 44% over prior year. Oppy ranks among the top ten importers of Peruvian grapes into the U.S. and Canada.
“This is a milestone season for Oppy,” said Executive Director of Grapes and Stonefruit Bill Poulos. “By expanding our program through Dole, we’re not only increasing volume, but adding depth and resilience to our supply. We have exceptional grapes coming from Peru, and our team’s visit to Ica in November confirmed the fruit is outstanding. We are very happy with the quality, and we’re set up for a strong season.”
This year also marks an exciting influx of high-demand varieties, including Sun World favorite AutumnCrisp arriving from Peru, followed by availability from Chile through the end of April.
Director of Domestic Grapes and Sales Manager Marc Serpa shared, “As the import grape season gets into full stride, the market is primed for promotable green and red grapes. Shoppers are eager for grapes with green stems, great sizing and outstanding flavor profiles coming from Sun World and BloomFresh.”
Oppy expects excellent availability across a wide spectrum of colors and varieties, including:
- Red varieties: Allison, Jack’s Salute, and Scarlotta Seedless
- Green varieties: AutumnCrisp, Timpson, Sweet Globe, and Great Green
“Our strategic grower-partners are rated very highly for the quality of their AutumnCrisp, and have the acreage and scale to deliver more than last season. Red and green fresh crop grapes will be available in volume from mid-January till the end of February,” said Vice President of South American Operations David Nelley. “With trusted brands in our portfolio including Dole, Ocean Spray and Sun Grape, Oppy’s grape program offers consistency and quality shoppers will be looking for at shelf.”
With new varieties and consistent brands consumers know and trust, Oppy is well-positioned to help retailers drive sales this season and into the future.
About Oppy
Growing, marketing and distributing fresh produce from around the globe for over 165 years, Vancouver, BC-based Oppy discovers and delivers the best of the world’s harvest. With over 50 million boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables grown on every continent moving through its supply chain annually, Oppy offers popular favorites from avocados and berries to apples and oranges year-round, alongside innovative seasonal specialties. Over the years, Oppy has introduced North Americans to a number of items across its diverse produce range, including Granny Smith, JAZZ and Envy apples, as well as green and gold kiwifruit.
About Dole
Dole Diversified Fresh Produce is part of Dole plc, a global leader in fresh produce. Dole plc grows, markets, and distributes an extensive variety of fresh fruits and vegetables sourced locally and from around the world. Dedicated and passionate in exceeding our customers’ requirements in over 85 countries, our goal is to make the world a healthier and more sustainable place.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.