Posts Tagged “feature”
U.S. fresh potato exports to Mexico continue to soar, according to a USDA report.
From the period October 2023 to September 2024, the USDA reported U.S. fresh potato sales to Mexico were $134.9 million, or about 41% of the value of total U.S. fresh potato exports for the period.
Total U.S. fresh potato exports for the period were down 1% in value but up 2% in volume, according to the USDA.
The volume of U.S. fresh potatoes sent to Mexico was up 55% for the October through September period, while the value of U.S. potato exports to Mexico was up 21%.
Canada was the second-largest market for U.S. potatoes, claiming $68 million of U.S. potatoes, down 32% in value from the previous year.
The following are the top export markets for U.S. potato exports for October 2023 through September 2024, with percentage change in value compared with a year ago:
- Mexico — $331.9 million, up 21%.
- Canada — $68 million, down 32%.
- Japan — $19.3 million, down 8%.
- Taiwan — $15.1 million, down 12%.
- Honduras — $15.1 million, down 8%.
- South Korea — $15.1 million, down 16%.
- Dominican Republic — $13.5 million, up 106%.
- Philippines — $12.2 million, up 24%.
- Guatemala — $9.9 million, up 74%.
- Malaysia — $4.8 million, up 16%.
- The Bahamas — $3.4 million, up 15%.
- Costa Rica — $3.1 million, up 19%.
- Singapore — $2.6 million, down 3%.
The Florida citrus December forecast by the USDA places crop at levels which haven’t been this low in 100 years.
Orange production was lowered by 20 percent and grapefruit by 14 percent from the October forecast, which takes into account the damage from Hurricane Milton, which hit Florida in early October.
The 2024-2025 Florida all orange forecast from the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 12.0 million boxes, down 20 percent from the October forecast of 15.0 million. If realized, this will be 33 percent less than last season’s final production. The forecast consists of 5 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 7 million boxes of Valencia oranges.
The forecast for Florida grapefruit production is 1.20 million boxes, down 200,000 boxes from the October forecast. If realized, this will be 33 percent less than last season’s final production. Red grapefruit, at 1.05 million boxes, is lowered 150,000 boxes from the October forecast. White grapefruit is forecast down 50,000 boxes to 150,000 boxes.
Florida citrus production has been dropping for years due to various causes, including weather, disease, changing consumption, and residential and commercial property demand.
According to USDA, there were 248,000 acres of oranges in 2024, down from 665,000 in 2000, and grapefruit acreage amounted to 14,000 in 2024, down from 118,000 in 2000.
Florida’s citrus industry peaked in the 1997-98 season with 244 million boxes of oranges. This year’s orange crop would be 5 percent of the peak.
The first estimate of the 2024-2025 Chilean stone fruit export season released by the Chilean Stone Fruit Committee shows that shipments of Japanese and European plums, peaches, and nectarines will grow by 4% compared to the previous season, with shipments of around 38 million boxes (8.3 kg average), marking a record for the second consecutive time.
In statements reported by Frutas de Chile, Ignacio Caballero, executive director of the Chilean Stone Fruit Committee, said that “this estimate, which is still preliminary, shows that the sector is working to promote growth not only in volumes but also in the quality of the fruit, to stimulate greater consumption and better returns. All this leads us to project a new export record for our stone fruits.”
Caballero explained that this growth is in line with the strategy defined by the Committee, in terms of promoting the opportunity that exists for Chilean stone fruit in different world markets, in addition to Asia, to continue growing with a focus on improving the quality and consistency of the fruit being shipped.
He also pointed out that in terms of FOB values, they estimate that Chilean stone fruit shipments would exceed US$ 540 million, which reflects an increase of around 4% over the previous year.
“Of course, we must bear in mind that the final result in terms of value also depends on other factors such as the market, and freight, among others,” he said in a conversation with Frutas de Chile.
According to reports, in the 2023-2024 season, China took around 55% of Chilean nectarines and 63% of Chilean plum shipments, while North America (United States and Canada) received around 50% of peaches.
“This season, these markets will once again occupy an important place as a destination for our stone fruits, but the challenge will be to promote new destinations, such as Mexico and Brazil, which are large consumers of this fruit, for which the Stone Fruit Committee is working on implementing communication campaigns to highlight the qualities of Chilean varieties,” said Caballero.
Caballero also highlighted the 22% increase in nectarine shipments compared to the previous season, which will reach 14.1 million boxes (8 kilos each) this season.
“With this increase, nectarines would become, for the first time, the main species of the stone fruit group exported by our country. Within these exports, we estimate that around 9 million boxes would be of white-fleshed nectarines (63%) and 5.2 million boxes of yellow-fleshed nectarines (37%),” he said.
In peaches, exports would total 2.9 million boxes (8 kilos each), up 4% with respect to the previous season, which shows that this sector is returning to growth after the last two seasons of decline.
U.S. imports of Mexican fresh tomato value rose 10% in 2023, while the quantity imported rose 1%.
USDA trade numbers show Mexico accounted for 91% of total U.S. fresh tomato imports in 2023, the same as 2022 and up slightly from 90% in 2021, according to USDA trade numbers.
The 2023 value of U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes totaled $2.71 billion, up 10% from $2.48 billion in 2022 and up 14% from 2021.
The volume of U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes totaled 1.82 million metric tons in 2023, up 1% from 2022, up 4% from 2021 and up 8% from 2020.
The average shipping point price for Mexican tomato crossings through California, Arizona and Texas was $14.46 per carton in 2023, down 12% from $16.37 per carton in 2022 but up 11% from $12.98 per carton in 2021.
We want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. 2024 has been a constant reminder of how special and challenging produce trucking and perishable hauling can be. We continue to strive providing valuable information and look forward to serving you in the coming year.
Here is wishing you, your friends and family, happiness and health as we reflect on our reasons to be thankful.
Bill Martin
On Saturday, December 14th, the Allen Lund Company coordinated logistics for the delivery of donated food and joined volunteers to assemble and distribute grocery bags.
“20 years is a big commitment, and that’s how long the Allen Lund Company has supported Navidad en el Barrio. It started with a few trucks moving donations. Now, we coordinate almost all the donated food, plus provide the logistics to the warehouse. We even organize volunteers at several locations on Saturday, December 14th, to assemble and hand out the grocery bags to thousands of the most in-need families in Southern California thanks to the generous donations of many individuals and companies,” said Nora Trueblood, Director of Marketing and Communications at ALC.
“At Allen Lund Company, logistics is what we do best – but our favorite logistics services are those done to help others through our ‘Acts of Kindness’. For 20 years now, we have been working with great organizations, including Catholic Charities, St. Vincent De Paul, Navidad en el Barrio, many customers, and our employees who volunteer to build and distribute tens of thousands of grocery bags full of much-needed food for members of the community. As a member of the Catholic Charities board, I see firsthand how this labor of love impacts the families and strengthens all involved in this wide-ranging endeavor. We look forward to many more years of putting the ‘Happy’ in Happy Holidays,” said Kenny Lund, Executive Vice President of ALC Logistics.
We couldn’t have done it without you. A heartfelt thank you to all our donors:
Cacique | Coca-Cola | Costco | Faribault Foods | The Farmlink Project | Grimmway Farms | Minute Maid | Mission Produce Inc. | Mother’s Nutritional Center | Northgate Market | Penske | PepsiCo | Randall Foods | R.W. Zant | The Salvation Army | Taylor Farms | Wada Farms | WM Ground Beef | Wonderful Citrus
We are grateful for your support and are making a real difference together. Here’s to many more years of spreading holiday cheer!
*****
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| Since 2004, the Allen Lund Company has supported the efforts of Navidad en el Barrio. Established in 1972 by former NFL player Danny Villanueva, local Hispanic radio, and students from UCLA, the organization is dedicated to helping underserved families around the Los Angeles area by providing the makings for a Christmas dinner. |
By Jenny Heap MS, RDN, Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association
Baked, boiled, scalloped, or mashed; smashed for pancakes, perogies, kugel, or latkes; or cooled to make Grandma’s famous potato salad, potatoes have been a comforting staple in North American fare since the 18th century when Irish immigrants first introduced them in New Hampshire and sparked broader cultivation. [1] It’s no wonder that potato dishes spark nostalgia during celebrations and family gatherings. But potatoes can be more than a comfort food for seniors this season. Thoughtful preparation can bring satisfying nutrition to the holiday table.
Nutrients of Concern for Seniors
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans calls out specific nutrients of concern for seniors. Of course, nutrient needs vary by individual, but generally speaking, seniors are at risk for under consuming potassium, calcium, vitamin D, dietary fiber, protein, vitamin B12, and fluids for hydration.[2]
Potatoes and potato dishes can help boost consumption of several of these nutrients of concern along with other nutrients that support health and wellness for seniors.
“A Blue Ocean Strategy” is a recent report by intelligence firm Fluctuante, which studied Peru’s status as the world’s top blueberry exporter. The company reports the current Peruvian season shows a recovery, not growth, relating to last year’s El Nino phenomenon. The weather reduced production an adversely affected trade.
From mid April through June Peru exported 155,000 tons of blueberries, valued at $1.26 billion and priced at $8.13 per kilogram. While this represents an increase from 112,000 tons in the previous period, it was noted it is still 19% below the 2022-2023 season’s 200,000 tons.
While there is an increase from 112,000 to 155,000 tons, in reality, it was a recovery. When one looks at the 2022-23 seaon for the same period, there was200,000 tons exported.
The industry has grown by 40% compared to the previous season, “but the trade is still 19% under the 2022-23 season.
Fluctuante attributed the recovery to improved yields, with 80% of growth coming from higher productivity on existing plantations and the remaining 20% from new acreage.
In 2016, the top exporting regions were La Libertad and Trujillo. However, new players are entering the board.
That production will grow in two directions in the coming years. 80% will be coming from the growth in yields in the plantations already established, with more tons per hectare produced; and the remaining 20% will be represented by new land producing fruit.
Ideal weather conditions aided growth in November and December. Lettuce and other desert row crops, including value-added items, are demonstrating great quality and high yields. Supplies are abundant throughout the desert growing region, according to Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA
Green leaf: Prices are low; supplies are abundant in the Arizona-California desert growing region. Quality has improved due to warmer weather.
Iceberg: Prices have eased in the Arizona-California desert. Quality has improved; warmer weather has increased growth and head weights.
Salads and blends: Higher temperatures in the Arizona-California desert region has aided growth and increased stocks. Quality is very good.
The extended weather forecast for the desert has highs mostly in the 70s through the end of the year.
Brisk potato shipments right through the holidays and leading up to the February Super Bowl are seen by Idaho shippers, who are optimistic over excellent quality and a little less volume.
Wada Farms Marketing Group of Idaho Falls, ID describes the current period as “…the Super Bowl of potato movement.”
He described quality as “top notch.”
The company reports a good profile (size, quality and variety) across the board for foodservice and retail customers.
Besides conventional varieties, Wada Farms has russet, red, yellow and some purple organic potatoes.
Its organic potatoes are available from July through April.
Eagle Eye Produce of Idaho Falls, ID had one of its best harvests, which was described as exceptional.
Wilcox Fresh of Rexburg, ID reports an outstanding crop with good size and quality, noting there were too many potatoes last year.
Idaho’s potato acreage dropped from 329,000 acres last season to 312,000 acres for 2024-25, according to the Idaho Potato Commission of Eagle, ID. Growers have returned to a typical year of acreage and yields.