Posts Tagged “West Coast labor problems”
Here is a glimpse of imports arriving at American ports in the weeks ahead ranging from blueberries to apples and pears.
Chilean blueberries will be arriving is good volume through March. In early February about 48,000 tons had been shipped to North America, which accounted for about 65 percent of Chile’s total blueberry exports this season to date.
Pear exports from both Chile and Argentina to the U.S. should increase this season, however, a huge Washington apple crop is expected to limit Chilean apple exports to here.
The first Chilean bartlett pear shipments arrived in Long Beach, CA the week of January 26th. Moderate volumes should be arriving within the next week, with higher volumes by February 20th. Peak volume arrivals should occur throughout March before starting to taper off in April. What is not known is whether West Coast labor problems could result in some fruit being diverted to East Coast ports.
Regardless, pear volumes should be up over last season, when Chilean fruit was hit hard by freezes, but comparable to a normal year.
In addition to Chilean pears, Argentina bartlett pears should begin arriving about two weeks after Chile, with peak volumes starting the first week of March.
Chilean Apples
Chilean galas should start to arrive in the U.S. in mid- to late March, but how many will come this season remains a question, mostly due the big Washington crop.
Southern California imported fruit – grossing about $4300 to Chicago.