More East Coast sweet potato loads are expected this season….As the California grape season finishes, be extra careful of loading fruit with quality problems.
North Carolina sweet potato shipments should be back to normal this season as the harvest for 2014 has pretty much wrapped up.
A return to normal yields after a rain-damaged 2013 shortfall caused many growers to run out of cured 2013 sweet potatoes and ship uncured or “green” potatoes in the early harvest weeks this year. An interesting side note this year is several North Carolina growers have formed a co-op, Yamco, which is making making sweet potato puree used in vodka, beer, jams, pastry mixes, and soon, whiskey…..Truck supplies are in short supply.
North Carolina sweet potatoes – grossing about $3000 to Boston.
Lower volume California grape shipments are expected as 2014 comes to a close. Loadings are expected to be down from this same time a year ago. The persistent drought in California meant less water for grapes, resulting in smaller sized fruit and subsequently lower volumes, plus hot weather at times has been an issue. Due to the drought and heat, quality has been hit and miss this season. As the season winds down, grape haulers should pay extra attention to what is being put in the truck to help reduce your chances of claims at destination.
California grape shipments will continue through Thanksgiving and perhaps up to Christmas. The first South American grape imports from Chile are not expected on the East Coast until December 8th and on the West Coast until December 24th.
Central San Joaquin Valley grapes – grossing about $6800 to New York City.