Eastern sweet corn shippers are optimistic about the coming crops following good growing conditions.
Florida is the nation’s leading sweet corn shipper in early spring. The Sunshine state shipped more volume as of March 9 than last year at the same time: 145.3 million pounds, compared to 136 million pounds in 2018, according to the USDA.
Nationally, 259.8 million pounds of corn were shipped this season through March 9, which is 23.3 million fewer pounds at the same point last season, which was at 283.1 million.
Scotlynn Sweet Pac Growers of Belle Glade, FL reports an excellent sweet corn crop spurred by great weather that is leading to good volume and supplies.
The company ships corn initially out of Belle Glade, then Bainbridge, GA., and finishes with Vittoria, Ontario.
Belle Glade sweet corn shipments run from mid-March to June 1st.
Scotlynn’s Georgia sweet corn shipments will be available from May 15 until July 15, and from Vittoria, availability runs from July 15 until September 5.
Duda Farm Fresh Foods of Oviedo, FL plans on similar volumes as in recent years from its winter and spring corn seasons in South Florida, followed by its short Georgia season.
After Duda’s Florida winter corn shipments finish at the end of March, spring corn is available the first week of April through end of May. The season winds down with Georgia’s quick harvest from late May to early June.
Turek Farms of King Ferry, NY is working with Florida and Georgia growers from SM Jones and Co. to ship corn the year-round. Sales are handled by Cayuga Produce Inc of King Ferry. The company ships New York sweet corn from mid-July through early October.
Florida vegetables – grossing about $2600 to New York City.