Shipments of fresh fruits and vegetables from around the USA are returning more to normal following the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Imports Chilean grapes on the east coast, led by ports at Wilmington, NC and at Philadelphia are down 33 percent from this time a year ago. This is primarily do to the crop running later than last season, plus decreased production. Imported grapes are increasing slowly, but good volume problably will not occur until the end of January…..January 28th is the date for the end of an extension for negotiations relating to a longshoremen’s strike, which was put on hold. A strike would hit East Coast ports from Baltimore to the Gulf Coast, accounting for about one-half of the imports into this country…..Meanwhile, Chilean grapes arriving at Long Beach, CA by boat are off nearly 22 percent so far this season.
Looking at Washington state, the best loading opportunities are from the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys with apples and pears. About 2,000 truckload equivalents of apples are being loaded per week.
Washington’s Columbia Basin and the nearby Umatilla Basin in Oregon are continuing shipments of potatoes and onions, but with much less volume than fruit.
In South Texas, steady loads of grapefruit and oranges are available from the Lower Rio Grand Valley, with cabbage available from the Winter Garden District, just south of San Antonio…..However, the best volume is with Mexican broccoli, carrots, watermelons and other items crossing the border in South Texas.
Texas produce – grossing about $3,000 to Chicago.
Washington state apples and pears – about $6,000 to New York City.