Author Archive
Food science researchers at Shinshu University, in Nagano, Japan, identified a naturally present compound in blueberries that could help muscle cells break down stored fat, Science Daily reports.
The substance, pterostilbene, promoted lipid breakdown and increased the activity of genes associated with fatty acid oxidation in laboratory-cultured mouse muscle cells. The findings were published in July in the journal Food Bioscience.
Pterostilbene is a polyphenol found in blueberries, grapes, and other berries. The researchers said the findings could support further investigation into food-derived compounds for functional foods or nutritional ingredients targeting muscle fat metabolism.
Led by Associate Professor Takakazu Mitani, the research team found that pterostilbene targets PPARδ, a protein that regulates fatty acid metabolism.
Unlike compounds that directly activate PPARδ, pterostilbene appears to prevent the protein from breaking down, increasing the amount available inside cells. Shinshu University said the resulting increase in PPARδ activity promoted genes involved in lipid metabolism.
The treated cells subsequently showed a greater capacity to break down stored fat and use fatty acids.
The study also found that pterostilbene reduced fat accumulation inside the cultured muscle cells without disrupting normal cell growth or differentiation.
The research comes as interest grows in bioactive compounds found in fruits and berries and their potential links to metabolic functions. However, the study used cultured mouse muscle cells, and the results do not establish that eating whole blueberries or consuming pterostilbene would produce the same effects in humans.
The researchers plan to investigate whether the mechanism can be reproduced in animal models and if it could be associated with improved fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
A cooler, unsettled weather pattern has replaced last week’s heat across key West Coast growing regions, according to a press release by Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Sporadic showers, increased humidity, and prolonged morning moisture are forecast for most regions starting Wednesday, October 21, and continuing through Thursday, October 22. Markon is working with growers to pack orders ahead where necessary to ensure 100% fulfillment. Harvesting crews will take measures to keep field-packed boxes as clean and dry as possible.
Salinas Valley, Santa Maria & Oxnard
- Showers are expected Wednesday through Thursday, with estimated rainfall totals of 0.30″ to 0.75″ in the
- Salinas Valley and 0.50″ to 1.25″ across Santa Maria and Oxnard growing areas
- Dry conditions will return by the weekend
Huron
- Approximately 0.25″ to 0.40″ of rainfall can be expected between Tuesday and Thursday
- Dry conditions will return by the weekend
Arizona/California Desert Region
- Warm weather will continue through midweek before temperatures dip later in the week
- Breezy conditions and isolated showers are possible, with rainfall generally expected to remain below 0.05″
Field Outlook
Production and loading delays can be expected over the next several days, pending field conditions, particularly in Salinas, Santa Maria, Huron, and Oxnard.
Rain-related challenges that may develop, including but are not limited to:
- Bottom rot, decay, increased mildew pressure, premature pinking, shortened shelf-life in commodity and value-added lettuce items
- Bruising, decay, soft texture, rain damage, reduced yields, and shortened shelf life in strawberries
- Pin rot, decay, bead discoloration, hollow core, increased mildew pressure, and shortened shelf life in broccoli
- Black mold and shortened shelf life in cauliflower
Reduced yields and variable case weights remain possible in affected row crop commodities.
Markon inspectors will closely monitor commodity and value-added lettuce and tender leaf items and will update further as needed. Ordering for quick turns is recommended; strict cold-chain management remains critical to maximizing product quality and shelf life.
An overlap is expected this fall with transition from imported citrus to domestic production.
Lange Farms of St. Louis, MO reports following a season laden with weather challenges, inconsistent arrival quality and periods of heavy supply, attention is now turning to whether improving fall demand will be sufficient to absorb incoming fruit.
During the Southern Hemisphere season, the company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Lange Companies in St. Louis, sources citrus from South Africa, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Argentina, providing flexibility as growing conditions, quality and availability shift between origins.
With California production is just getting underway, but imported and domestic fruit are expected to overlap more than usual.
Lange generally aims to work through imported citrus by the end of October as California production comes online. This year, however, imported supplies could remain in the market into November, making inventory management and timing particularly important. Improving fall demand could help absorb some of that supply, but the amount of imported fruit still moving toward North America will remain a key factor in how smoothly the transition develops.
Wisconsin accounts for 70% of cranberries grown in the United States and more than half of the world’s cranberry crop, according to the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association.
Cranberries are native to Wisconsin, where sandy, acidic soils, wetlands, and water availability provide suitable growing conditions. According to the University of Wisconsin State Climatology Office, these soil conditions can be traced to a periglacial lake that existed 14,000 to 18,000 years ago.
The crop is also adapted to Wisconsin winters. Cranberries require chilling hours at temperatures between 32 and 45 degrees to enter dormancy and store energy for the following growing season.
Cranberry harvesting in Wisconsin predates statehood. Native American tribes, including the Ho-Chunk, harvested wild cranberries for food, medicine, and fabric dyes. Commercial cultivation later developed around existing marshlands. In 1867, Wisconsin legislation allowed cranberry growers to build dams and establish their own bogs.
According to UW-Madison professor Amaya Atucha, infrastructure has also contributed to the state’s position in the U.S. cranberry sector. Wisconsin has a concentration of cranberry growers and associated businesses, including Ocean Spray, as well as investment in cranberry research.
Cooperation between growers is another feature of the sector, with equipment shared between farms when needed.
While Mexican avocado production for the 2026/27 started last summer, significant exports to the U.S. has just started. Volume is expected to be similar to last season.
Mexican growing operation Coliman Avocaods reports Mexico becomes the primary avocado supplier to the U.S. with strong volumes available.
Mexico becomes the largest avocado supplier to the U.S. market in September and forward. Colombia will also continue shipping fruit to the U.S., although a greater share of its production is expected to be directed toward Europe.
Coliman Avocaods notes proximity to the U.S., with consistent supply and quality aare key advantages.
Logistics also support the Mexican position because fruit can reach the U.S. border within 24 hours, while virtually any city in the country can be reached within four days.
Year-round availability further strengthens Mexico’s position. Mexican avocados are available 52 weeks a year, even though some retailers turn to other origins during the summer. Consistent availability and quality remain important to importers, distributors and retailers looking to maintain supply throughout the year.
Coliman Avocaods exports primarily to the U.S., with , Canada is its second-largest market by volume. The company also exports to Japan and the Middle East.
El Niño’s impact is proving more severe than expected, even though the cultivated Peruvian blueberry area is 15% larger. according to Proarándanos, the Peruvian blueberry growers and exporters association.
The group has published its fifth export forecast, lowering the September estimate by 4.2%.
According to it latest forecast, Peru is expected to export about 366,000 tons of fresh blueberries in the 2026–27 season. That is 4.2% below the September estimate of 382,000 tons and 4.4% below the 383,000 tons exported in the previous season.
The forecast is based on information from producers and exporters as recent weeks confirm a downward trend, with a significant drop in export volumes despite approximately 15% more acres under production.
By the end of September , Peru had exported 136,000 tons, 18.7% more than the same period of the previous season (115,000 tons). However, this number can be deceptive.
From October through the end of the season, exports are expected to total 229,000 tons, 14.2% below the 268,000 tons recorded during the same period of the 2025–26 season.
The decline is more serious over the next eight weeks, with 108,000 tons projected. This is 48,000 tons less than the previous season (156,000 tons), representing a 31.2% decline.
Nova Scotia’s apple crop is forecast at about 2.2 million bushels in 2026, up roughly 30 per cent from 1.7 million bushels last year, according to the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association.
The province has 2,093 hectares of apple orchards. Following drought conditions in 2025, which resulted in smaller fruit and stressed trees, growers are reporting larger fruit and higher yields this season. Rainfall during summer supported fruit sizing, while a cool spring delayed flowering.
Early apple varieties including Sunrise, Gravenstein, and SweeTango are already being harvested. At Gates U-Pick in Port Williams, harvesting has started for Gravenstein, McIntosh, and Zestar apples, along with Clapp and Bartlett pears. Later apple varieties include Cortland, Red Delicious, and Russet.
At Willowbank U-Pick, Gravenstein harvesting is scheduled to begin on September 12, followed by McIntosh and Cortland later in the month. Honeycrisp is expected around September 25, with Gala, Ambrosia, Golden Delicious, and other varieties following in October.
Growers continue to monitor export conditions. Around 90 per cent of Nova Scotia’s apple exports are shipped to the United States, with Honeycrisp an important variety for this trade. The industry has not reported immediate tariff impacts on apple exports but is monitoring costs for equipment, materials, supplies, and fertilizer.
Lemonade and orange juice may be more than just refreshing beverages, as high vitamin C levels could support brain health in aging.
According to a large-scale 2026 study by researchers at Hirosaki University’s Department of Radiology in Japan, older adults with higher concentrations of vitamin C tend to preserve greater brain volume and show stronger neural network connectivity.
The findings suggest that the antioxidant, largely present in citrus fruit and known to protect cells from oxidative stress and damage, may help maintain essential neural pathways as people age. The effects could lead to better cognitive function and improved brain health.
However, the authors noted that the study was observational, meaning it identified an association between vitamin C levels and brain structure, but wasn’t conclusive in proving a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
In the study, the scientific team looked into the relationship between higher plasma vitamin C levels and preserved brain volume and enhanced connectivity. They focused their efforts specifically on the “default mode network” (DMN), a critical collection of interconnected brain regions governing memory, self-reflection, and cognitive function.
Using MRI scans, the researchers analyzed data from 2,044 community-dwelling adults with a median age of 69 years participating in the Hirosaki University Iki-Iki Health Promotion Project.
The goal was to measure two core structural indicators: gray matter volume and network connectivity. The former entails brain areas essential for memory, information processing, and decision-making, while the latter refers to the DMN structural coherence connecting key brain regions.
After controlling for factors such as age, sex, cognitive test scores, and physical activity, among others, the data revealed that lower vitamin C levels were significantly associated with reduced gray matter volume ratios and weaker network connectivity.
As a next step, the Hirosaki University team proposed further research with prospective dietary interventions to determine whether increasing vitamin C intake through whole foods, such as fresh citrus fruits, can actively preserve cognitive network function and slow structural brain aging over time.
Ganfer Fresh of Nogales, AZ has announced the addition of Mexican sweet corn to its fresh produce portfolio, marking another step in its expansion strategy to meet evolving U.S. market demands.
The company will cultivate its sweet corn in Sonora and Sinaloa, two prominent Mexican agricultural regions known for fresh produce. It will be available from November to April, a period the company considers key to maintaining a steady supply.
Sweet corn is one of the leading vegetable crops in the United States, ranking among the top three in harvested area and total production. According to the company, the U.S. sweet corn crop was valued at around $809 million in 2022, with over 65% of that value coming from the fresh market.
Mexico has strengthened its role as a supplier to the U.S. market: Mexican sweet corn imports increased by 76% from 2000 to 2020, covering a period normally served by Florida. This is important for Ganfer Fresh, whose season runs from November to April and aligns with a critical supply period for fresh sweet corn in the U.S.
The company explains that this move aims to expand its product range and strengthen supply programs to ensure reliable, seasonal consistency.
Ganfer Fresh is aligning with a growing industry trend by expanding its fresh produce selection. This move takes advantage of favorable agricultural conditions and marketing opportunities in northwestern Mexico.
Port of Los Angeles waterfront workers processed 955,907 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in August, capping the busiest three consecutive months in Port history. More than 2.9 million TEUs moved across Port docks throughout June, July, and August.
August volume was 6% above the Port’s five-year average for the month and on par with last year.
“We’ve put together an exceptionally strong summer in Los Angeles,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Resilient consumer demand, early holiday shipments and a broad mix of cargo have all contributed to that strength.
“We’ve got good momentum heading into the final months of the year,” Seroka added. “September is shaping up to be another strong month, and Los Angeles is well positioned to respond as global trade patterns continue to evolve.”
During the Port’s monthly media briefing, Seroka said trans-Pacific freight rates to the West Coast favor East Coast routings, while the speed of moving cargo through Los Angeles and onto rail can make the overall economics attractive for importers serving markets across the country.
Joining Seroka for the briefing was Brian Dodge, President and CEO of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), who said retailers remain optimistic about the holiday shopping season despite higher fuel costs, tariffs, and other economic pressures.
“We’ve had an incredibly resilient consumer over the course of the last several years through a variety of different disruptions, and the same seems to be the case right now as we head into the holiday shopping season,” Dodge said. He noted that a large share of holiday merchandise is already in the U.S. after retailers moved goods earlier this year amid uncertainty over fuel prices and other supply chain disruptions, while additional shipments will continue as retailers replenish inventories to meet consumer demand.
Loaded imports reached 500,302 TEUs in August, nearly even with last year and 7% above the five-year August average. Loaded exports totaled 115,561 TEUs, down 9% compared with last August. Empty containers totaled 340,044 TEUs, up 4% year over year.
During the first eight months of 2026, the Port handled just over 7 million TEUs, 1.5% ahead of the same period last year and 5% above its five-year pace.
Food science researchers at Shinshu University, in Nagano, Japan, identified a naturally present compound in blueberries that could help muscle cells break down stored fat, Science Daily reports.
The substance, pterostilbene, promoted lipid breakdown and increased the activity of genes associated with fatty acid oxidation in laboratory-cultured mouse muscle cells. The findings were published in July in the journal Food Bioscience.
Pterostilbene is a polyphenol found in blueberries, grapes, and other berries. The researchers said the findings could support further investigation into food-derived compounds for functional foods or nutritional ingredients targeting muscle fat metabolism.
Led by Associate Professor Takakazu Mitani, the research team found that pterostilbene targets PPARδ, a protein that regulates fatty acid metabolism.
Unlike compounds that directly activate PPARδ, pterostilbene appears to prevent the protein from breaking down, increasing the amount available inside cells. Shinshu University said the resulting increase in PPARδ activity promoted genes involved in lipid metabolism.
The treated cells subsequently showed a greater capacity to break down stored fat and use fatty acids.
The study also found that pterostilbene reduced fat accumulation inside the cultured muscle cells without disrupting normal cell growth or differentiation.
The research comes as interest grows in bioactive compounds found in fruits and berries and their potential links to metabolic functions. However, the study used cultured mouse muscle cells, and the results do not establish that eating whole blueberries or consuming pterostilbene would produce the same effects in humans.
The researchers plan to investigate whether the mechanism can be reproduced in animal models and if it could be associated with improved fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
A cooler, unsettled weather pattern has replaced last week’s heat across key West Coast growing regions, according to a press release by Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Sporadic showers, increased humidity, and prolonged morning moisture are forecast for most regions starting Wednesday, October 21, and continuing through Thursday, October 22. Markon is working with growers to pack orders ahead where necessary to ensure 100% fulfillment. Harvesting crews will take measures to keep field-packed boxes as clean and dry as possible.
Salinas Valley, Santa Maria & Oxnard
- Showers are expected Wednesday through Thursday, with estimated rainfall totals of 0.30″ to 0.75″ in the
- Salinas Valley and 0.50″ to 1.25″ across Santa Maria and Oxnard growing areas
- Dry conditions will return by the weekend
Huron
- Approximately 0.25″ to 0.40″ of rainfall can be expected between Tuesday and Thursday
- Dry conditions will return by the weekend
Arizona/California Desert Region
- Warm weather will continue through midweek before temperatures dip later in the week
- Breezy conditions and isolated showers are possible, with rainfall generally expected to remain below 0.05″
Field Outlook
Production and loading delays can be expected over the next several days, pending field conditions, particularly in Salinas, Santa Maria, Huron, and Oxnard.
Rain-related challenges that may develop, including but are not limited to:
- Bottom rot, decay, increased mildew pressure, premature pinking, shortened shelf-life in commodity and value-added lettuce items
- Bruising, decay, soft texture, rain damage, reduced yields, and shortened shelf life in strawberries
- Pin rot, decay, bead discoloration, hollow core, increased mildew pressure, and shortened shelf life in broccoli
- Black mold and shortened shelf life in cauliflower
Reduced yields and variable case weights remain possible in affected row crop commodities.
Markon inspectors will closely monitor commodity and value-added lettuce and tender leaf items and will update further as needed. Ordering for quick turns is recommended; strict cold-chain management remains critical to maximizing product quality and shelf life.
An overlap is expected this fall with transition from imported citrus to domestic production.
Lange Farms of St. Louis, MO reports following a season laden with weather challenges, inconsistent arrival quality and periods of heavy supply, attention is now turning to whether improving fall demand will be sufficient to absorb incoming fruit.
During the Southern Hemisphere season, the company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Lange Companies in St. Louis, sources citrus from South Africa, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Argentina, providing flexibility as growing conditions, quality and availability shift between origins.
With California production is just getting underway, but imported and domestic fruit are expected to overlap more than usual.
Lange generally aims to work through imported citrus by the end of October as California production comes online. This year, however, imported supplies could remain in the market into November, making inventory management and timing particularly important. Improving fall demand could help absorb some of that supply, but the amount of imported fruit still moving toward North America will remain a key factor in how smoothly the transition develops.
Wisconsin accounts for 70% of cranberries grown in the United States and more than half of the world’s cranberry crop, according to the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association.
Cranberries are native to Wisconsin, where sandy, acidic soils, wetlands, and water availability provide suitable growing conditions. According to the University of Wisconsin State Climatology Office, these soil conditions can be traced to a periglacial lake that existed 14,000 to 18,000 years ago.
The crop is also adapted to Wisconsin winters. Cranberries require chilling hours at temperatures between 32 and 45 degrees to enter dormancy and store energy for the following growing season.
Cranberry harvesting in Wisconsin predates statehood. Native American tribes, including the Ho-Chunk, harvested wild cranberries for food, medicine, and fabric dyes. Commercial cultivation later developed around existing marshlands. In 1867, Wisconsin legislation allowed cranberry growers to build dams and establish their own bogs.
According to UW-Madison professor Amaya Atucha, infrastructure has also contributed to the state’s position in the U.S. cranberry sector. Wisconsin has a concentration of cranberry growers and associated businesses, including Ocean Spray, as well as investment in cranberry research.
Cooperation between growers is another feature of the sector, with equipment shared between farms when needed.
While Mexican avocado production for the 2026/27 started last summer, significant exports to the U.S. has just started. Volume is expected to be similar to last season.
Mexican growing operation Coliman Avocaods reports Mexico becomes the primary avocado supplier to the U.S. with strong volumes available.
Mexico becomes the largest avocado supplier to the U.S. market in September and forward. Colombia will also continue shipping fruit to the U.S., although a greater share of its production is expected to be directed toward Europe.
Coliman Avocaods notes proximity to the U.S., with consistent supply and quality aare key advantages.
Logistics also support the Mexican position because fruit can reach the U.S. border within 24 hours, while virtually any city in the country can be reached within four days.
Year-round availability further strengthens Mexico’s position. Mexican avocados are available 52 weeks a year, even though some retailers turn to other origins during the summer. Consistent availability and quality remain important to importers, distributors and retailers looking to maintain supply throughout the year.
Coliman Avocaods exports primarily to the U.S., with , Canada is its second-largest market by volume. The company also exports to Japan and the Middle East.
El Niño’s impact is proving more severe than expected, even though the cultivated Peruvian blueberry area is 15% larger. according to Proarándanos, the Peruvian blueberry growers and exporters association.
The group has published its fifth export forecast, lowering the September estimate by 4.2%.
According to it latest forecast, Peru is expected to export about 366,000 tons of fresh blueberries in the 2026–27 season. That is 4.2% below the September estimate of 382,000 tons and 4.4% below the 383,000 tons exported in the previous season.
The forecast is based on information from producers and exporters as recent weeks confirm a downward trend, with a significant drop in export volumes despite approximately 15% more acres under production.
By the end of September , Peru had exported 136,000 tons, 18.7% more than the same period of the previous season (115,000 tons). However, this number can be deceptive.
From October through the end of the season, exports are expected to total 229,000 tons, 14.2% below the 268,000 tons recorded during the same period of the 2025–26 season.
The decline is more serious over the next eight weeks, with 108,000 tons projected. This is 48,000 tons less than the previous season (156,000 tons), representing a 31.2% decline.
Nova Scotia’s apple crop is forecast at about 2.2 million bushels in 2026, up roughly 30 per cent from 1.7 million bushels last year, according to the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association.
The province has 2,093 hectares of apple orchards. Following drought conditions in 2025, which resulted in smaller fruit and stressed trees, growers are reporting larger fruit and higher yields this season. Rainfall during summer supported fruit sizing, while a cool spring delayed flowering.
Early apple varieties including Sunrise, Gravenstein, and SweeTango are already being harvested. At Gates U-Pick in Port Williams, harvesting has started for Gravenstein, McIntosh, and Zestar apples, along with Clapp and Bartlett pears. Later apple varieties include Cortland, Red Delicious, and Russet.
At Willowbank U-Pick, Gravenstein harvesting is scheduled to begin on September 12, followed by McIntosh and Cortland later in the month. Honeycrisp is expected around September 25, with Gala, Ambrosia, Golden Delicious, and other varieties following in October.
Growers continue to monitor export conditions. Around 90 per cent of Nova Scotia’s apple exports are shipped to the United States, with Honeycrisp an important variety for this trade. The industry has not reported immediate tariff impacts on apple exports but is monitoring costs for equipment, materials, supplies, and fertilizer.
Lemonade and orange juice may be more than just refreshing beverages, as high vitamin C levels could support brain health in aging.
According to a large-scale 2026 study by researchers at Hirosaki University’s Department of Radiology in Japan, older adults with higher concentrations of vitamin C tend to preserve greater brain volume and show stronger neural network connectivity.
The findings suggest that the antioxidant, largely present in citrus fruit and known to protect cells from oxidative stress and damage, may help maintain essential neural pathways as people age. The effects could lead to better cognitive function and improved brain health.
However, the authors noted that the study was observational, meaning it identified an association between vitamin C levels and brain structure, but wasn’t conclusive in proving a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
In the study, the scientific team looked into the relationship between higher plasma vitamin C levels and preserved brain volume and enhanced connectivity. They focused their efforts specifically on the “default mode network” (DMN), a critical collection of interconnected brain regions governing memory, self-reflection, and cognitive function.
Using MRI scans, the researchers analyzed data from 2,044 community-dwelling adults with a median age of 69 years participating in the Hirosaki University Iki-Iki Health Promotion Project.
The goal was to measure two core structural indicators: gray matter volume and network connectivity. The former entails brain areas essential for memory, information processing, and decision-making, while the latter refers to the DMN structural coherence connecting key brain regions.
After controlling for factors such as age, sex, cognitive test scores, and physical activity, among others, the data revealed that lower vitamin C levels were significantly associated with reduced gray matter volume ratios and weaker network connectivity.
As a next step, the Hirosaki University team proposed further research with prospective dietary interventions to determine whether increasing vitamin C intake through whole foods, such as fresh citrus fruits, can actively preserve cognitive network function and slow structural brain aging over time.
Ganfer Fresh of Nogales, AZ has announced the addition of Mexican sweet corn to its fresh produce portfolio, marking another step in its expansion strategy to meet evolving U.S. market demands.
The company will cultivate its sweet corn in Sonora and Sinaloa, two prominent Mexican agricultural regions known for fresh produce. It will be available from November to April, a period the company considers key to maintaining a steady supply.
Sweet corn is one of the leading vegetable crops in the United States, ranking among the top three in harvested area and total production. According to the company, the U.S. sweet corn crop was valued at around $809 million in 2022, with over 65% of that value coming from the fresh market.
Mexico has strengthened its role as a supplier to the U.S. market: Mexican sweet corn imports increased by 76% from 2000 to 2020, covering a period normally served by Florida. This is important for Ganfer Fresh, whose season runs from November to April and aligns with a critical supply period for fresh sweet corn in the U.S.
The company explains that this move aims to expand its product range and strengthen supply programs to ensure reliable, seasonal consistency.
Ganfer Fresh is aligning with a growing industry trend by expanding its fresh produce selection. This move takes advantage of favorable agricultural conditions and marketing opportunities in northwestern Mexico.
Port of Los Angeles waterfront workers processed 955,907 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in August, capping the busiest three consecutive months in Port history. More than 2.9 million TEUs moved across Port docks throughout June, July, and August.
August volume was 6% above the Port’s five-year average for the month and on par with last year.
“We’ve put together an exceptionally strong summer in Los Angeles,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Resilient consumer demand, early holiday shipments and a broad mix of cargo have all contributed to that strength.
“We’ve got good momentum heading into the final months of the year,” Seroka added. “September is shaping up to be another strong month, and Los Angeles is well positioned to respond as global trade patterns continue to evolve.”
During the Port’s monthly media briefing, Seroka said trans-Pacific freight rates to the West Coast favor East Coast routings, while the speed of moving cargo through Los Angeles and onto rail can make the overall economics attractive for importers serving markets across the country.
Joining Seroka for the briefing was Brian Dodge, President and CEO of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), who said retailers remain optimistic about the holiday shopping season despite higher fuel costs, tariffs, and other economic pressures.
“We’ve had an incredibly resilient consumer over the course of the last several years through a variety of different disruptions, and the same seems to be the case right now as we head into the holiday shopping season,” Dodge said. He noted that a large share of holiday merchandise is already in the U.S. after retailers moved goods earlier this year amid uncertainty over fuel prices and other supply chain disruptions, while additional shipments will continue as retailers replenish inventories to meet consumer demand.
Loaded imports reached 500,302 TEUs in August, nearly even with last year and 7% above the five-year August average. Loaded exports totaled 115,561 TEUs, down 9% compared with last August. Empty containers totaled 340,044 TEUs, up 4% year over year.
During the first eight months of 2026, the Port handled just over 7 million TEUs, 1.5% ahead of the same period last year and 5% above its five-year pace.