Imported Mexican produce shipments to the U.S. increased by double-digits in the second quarter of 2020, according to a transportation report from the USDA.
The Mexico Transport Cost Indicator Report reveals second quarter total reported shipments of fruits and vegetables from Mexico were 2.96 million tons, an 11 percent increase compared with the second quarter of 2019.
The total of the top five commodities shipped from Mexico (figured on an annual basis: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, avocados and squash) increased by 31,000 tons, or 6 percent.
Imported seedless watermelons entering the U.S. in the second quarter topped all fresh produce commodities for the quarter, with 297,000 tons shipped. However, that was down 19 percent from same quarter in 2019.
Truck rates
Truck rates for shipments of 501 miles to 1,500 miles from the Arizona border crossings averaged $2.55 per mile, up 1 percent quarter to quarter, but down 6 percent compared with the second quarter a year ago.
Rates for shipments of 501 miles to 1,500 miles from the Texas border crossings averaged $2.25 per mile, down by 10 percent quarter to quarter and down by 1 percent year to year.
Diesel fuel prices for border crossings through Texas averaged $2.21 per gallon for the quarter, compared with $2.60 per gallon for crossings through Arizona.