The Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas has had over 60 inches of rain since last August, more than it normally get in four years. If that doesn’t result in significant reductions in produce volume and quality problems, then it will be a miracle.
Texas Produce Shipments
Being the eternal optimistic they are, growers are still talking mostly good quality and down playing losses. Still, it’s kind of like the parents who never have any ugly kids. Watermelons and sweet onions are two big items coming out of the valley this time of the year. The moonsoons that hit a week ago dumped as much as 10 inches in some fields. The saving grace may be the fields that received as little a three inches of rain. Still, extra caution is urged when loading South Texas produce vegetables.
Mexican watermelons are crossing the border at McAllen, TX in moderate volume, however variable quality is being reported. Caution is urged when loading this product. Make sure your receiver knows the quality being shipped.
A number of other Mexican items are crossing the border into South Texas in light to moderate volume ranging from carrots to peppers along with tropical fruits such as mangoes, papayas and pineapples. The valley also continues to ship moderate volumes with grapefruit, oranges and cabbage.
South Texas and Mexican grown produce – grossing about $2900 to Chicago, $4900 to New York City.