Over 50 percent of the fresh fruits and vegetables imported into the United States come through Nogales, AZ, making it the nation’s second busiest port of entry.
Weather conditions in Mexico, including a freeze in January pushed back many items crossing the border, with the exeption being tomatoes. Otherwise, many vegetables normally shipped all over North American by truck from Nogales have become available later than normal. Among the most affected veggies have been various types of squash, green beans and sweet corn.
However, this is about to change. Loading opportunities at warehouses on the USA side of the border should start increasing significantly with the arrival of March. This could result in volume shipments continuing later because of the later starts of harvest. But again, it will depend a lot on weather.
Mexican tomato shipments have been virtually uninterrupted this winter because they are grown in a different region of Mexico than were the freeze occurred. Tomato loadings have been going well since mid December and have been going full bore for the past two to three weeks.
It’s too early to get a handle on table grape shipments that usually get underway in late April or early May, but there is good reason to believe grapes will once again provide heavy shipments.
Watermelons out of Mexico have had light volume, but will show a big increase in shipments as we head into spring.
Mexician produce at Nogales – grossing about $5200 to New York Cithy.