If you are looking to load produce out of the West this week, it may be slim pickings, unless you’re hauling something out of storage.
Persistent storms across California and Mexico are trimming yields and muddying harvest schedules, sending prices higher across the board, which will be reflected at your local supermarket.
From strawberries to lettuce, it’s shaping up to be a damp October for produce haulers.
With strawberry prices at a 10-year high, this reflects the plunge in volume and available loads.
Rain is affecting the shipments of strawberries grown in Mexico and in Southern and Central California. Reports show supplies in all Western growing regions are at 50 percent or less than what they were this time last year.
Growers in Central Mexico should start harvesting in two weeks, and growers in Western Mexico in six weeks. Unfortunately, there are few signs of strawberry loadings improving significantly.
Meanwhile, a similar situation exists with watermelons shipments. Rain in Mexico is curbing supply and causing prices soar. Cooler fall weather is phasing out domestic production.
Lettuce loading opportunities also have bee adversely affected by the wet weather in the west. Shipments will be limited as the transition continues from the Huron district in the San Joaquin Valley to growing areas in the deserts of California and Arizona.
Finally, the last piece of bad news in regards to tomatoes.
Average tomato prices are up +41 percent over the previous week. Local tomato supplies are coming to an end with the cooler fall weather. In the East, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina are done, and growers in South Georgia and Florida are ramping up production. In addition, rainfall in Baja has significantly reduced crossings.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.