Posts Tagged “Southeastern produce shipments”
Everyone from produce truckers, to produce shippers and consumers a like can’t wait for spring given the wicked winter it’s been for much of the country. The further into March we get the more volume and available loading opportunities will be, particularly with Southeastern produce shipments.
For example, Nicaraguan mangoes will be arriving in heaviest volume at South Florida ports, although some will be delivered to ports int he Northeast.
Florida blueberry shipments are just starting and will work their way northward in the state, before giving away to south Georgia blueberries in late April. Strong volume is expected in part because of a late Easter (April 20) that is closer to Mother’s Day (May 11). Florida expects to ship 25 million pounds of “blues” this season, a 14 percent increase over a year ago. Florida should peak the second and third weeks of April.
Georgia blueberry volume is also showing significant increases each year.
However, the big push comes in Florida in April with a host of mixed vegetable items reaching peak volume, particularly from southern and central parts of Florida. Good volume should continue into May.
In Georgia, Vidalia sweet onion shipments will begin in light volume in late April. Vidalia onion shipments could be down about 20 percent this year. Central and southern Georgia are currently shipping moderate amounts of greens ranging from kale to collard. Cucumbers, squash and other veggies will start maturing in April.
Florida mixed veggies, tomatoes and blueberries – grossing about $3100 to New York City.
Poor quality peaches, and poor tasting, waterlogged watermelons are a few examples of how heavy rains have affected many produce crops in the South.
The Southeast had its second-wettest January through July on record. South Carolina has had more rain at this point in the year than in almost 50 years. Some South Carolina shippers have lost up to 25 percent of their peach crops.
Georgia has seen the heaviest rains, about 40 percent more than usual at this point in the year. Peach growers in the Fort Valley, GA area got lucky and escaped most of the excessive rains, with peach shipments all but over for the season.
If you haul Georgia pecans, loadings could be seriously affected this fall and winter. Pecan scab disease affects stem, leaf and nut growth, causing reduced yields — and loading opportunities. The disease is extremely susceptible to moisture.
Further south in Georgia, around Tifton and on towards the Florida state line, there has been tremendous amounts of rain. The regions has had 55 to 62 inches since the first of the year compared to about 17 inches this time a year ago. As result, fall vegetable shipments could be off significantly.
Specifically, this could hurt loadings of bell peppers, cantaloupe, broccoli, squash, cucumbers and tomatoes.