Author Archive
By Kenneth Cavallaro, Jr. ALC Boston
America’s supply chain depends on truck drivers to transport goods safely and efficiently across the country. As active members in the supply chain logistics industry, we know firsthand that the aging out of drivers can significantly impact operations and the timely delivery of goods. With the average age of truck drivers rising and fewer young adults entering the profession, is the industry doing enough to attract and retain young drivers to replace retiring older drivers?
The American Trucking Association estimates that there could be a shortage of at least 160,000 drivers by the year 2028. Addressing this gap requires a focused effort on recruiting young workers into the profession.
Truck driving can be a demanding career. Long hours, time away from family, and skyrocketing insurance costs (further complicated by higher premiums for younger, less experienced drivers) are significant roadblocks. Driving services, such as Uber and Lyft, offer greater flexibility with a reduction in time spent away from home or waiting to load or unload products.
So, how do we overcome these obstacles and attract more people to long-haul trucking? Fortunately, many asset-based companies are offering competitive benefits and improved wages. A recent study showed a 15.5% increase in driver wages per mile. One way to attract young drivers is by communicating the financial incentives of long-haul trucking to potential recruits, as well as maintaining viable wages and benefits in today’s market. Beyond the paycheck, truck driving offers a rare sense of freedom and autonomy — no desk, no daily micromanagement — just the open road and the opportunity to see the country while building a rewarding, independent career.
Organizations like NEXTGEN Trucking (NGT) work to promote trucking and logistics as rewarding career paths for young people. They partner with schools, educators, and industries to build and support high school and post-secondary CDL-drivers, diesel tech, and supply chain programs, connect students with employers, offer scholarships and resources, and celebrate student and industry achievements.
While stringent regulations are necessary for safety, the rigorous training and certification process can discourage potential drivers from entering the industry. Incentives such as sign-on bonuses, training assistance, and career milestone rewards could help attract and retain talent. In addition, we can improve work-life balance by leveraging technology to streamline driver routes and match owner-operators with hauls closer to their home base, allowing them more time with their families and reducing frustration from wasted miles. This type of flexibility and family-focused scheduling would appeal to today’s younger workforce and help reduce turnover long-term.
Taking care of that workforce is more than a want; it is a necessity. The next time you shop for fresh produce, clothing, or home goods, keep in mind the drivers that make it possible. Now is the time to make the changes that will attract and keep additional drivers in lifelong careers in the industry; otherwise, we face higher transportation costs, shipping delays, and a disrupted supply chain. By showing the next generation that truck driving isn’t just a job, but an opportunity to live life on your terms, with purpose and pride, we can reshape how the industry is seen and secure its future.
*****
Kenneth Cavallaro, Jr. is a Carrier Manager in the Boston office. He brings 26 years of experience in the transportation industry and has been with Allen Lund Company since 2019. Kenneth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Salem State University.
kenneth.cavallaro@allenlund.com
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Lipman Family Farms of Immokalee, FL has acquired tomato grower Shelton & Sons of Morristown, TN. The company says the acquisition strengthens Lipman’s domestic footprint and reinforces its ability to supply consistent, high-quality roma tomatoes year-round, solidifying the critical July through October growing season.
Shelton & Sons has been a dedicated partner in Lipman’s local grower network for decades, contributing to Lipman’s seasonal success with roma tomatoes in the eastern U.S., according to a release. Lipman says Shelton & Sons’ long-standing reputation for excellence and integrity in farming aligns with its values around family, quality and community.
“For years, Shelton & Sons has helped us deliver the freshest product to our customers during peak season,” said Lipman Family Farms CEO Elyse Lipman. “Their deep history in family farming and consistent supply makes them a natural extension of our team. We’re honored to bring them fully into the Lipman network.”
With this acquisition, Lipman strengthens its regional supply chain during summer and fall months and continues its investment in reliable, domestic agriculture, the release said. Shelton & Sons will maintain its focus on roma tomato production, offering customers continuity with the added support of Lipman’s nationwide infrastructure.
“Our family has been growing tomatoes in Morristown for decades, and Lipman has been a trusted partner through it all,” said Terry Cantrell of Shelton & Sons. “Joining the Lipman family feels like a natural next step that lets us continue on the legacy of farming with purpose.”
This marks the third major acquisition in the last eighteen months for Lipman Family Farms. In 2024, the company welcomed another longtime roma tomato partner, Jones & Church Farms of Unicoi, Tenn., and expanded in the Northeast market with the acquisition of Northeast Produce, a tomato repacker in Connecticut.
“We are dedicated to growing our team with like-minded companies and individuals so we can continue to make fresh produce accessible to families for generations to come,” Lipman said.
Wonderful Pistachios of Los Angeles is preparing for his biggest volume season yet.
Global demand for California pistachios is not holding back, having more than doubled over the past 10 years, with pistachio acreage growing by 6% to 10% annually. The upcoming fall 2025 harvest in California is expected to set a record, with yields potentially reaching 1.6 billion pounds.
Pistachio trees follow an alternate-bearing cycle, producing strong yields one year and lighter yields the next. Even in off-years, Wonderful Pistachios is well prepared, having invested more than $1 billion in its operations and capacity to ensure a year-round supply for the industry.
“People are just starting to see the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the versatility of pistachios, and they’re not holding back – they’re documenting and sharing it like never before,” said Diana Salsa, vice president of marketing at Wonderful Pistachios. “From pistachio lattes to Dubai chocolate and even perfumes, pistachios add a pop of bright green that other snack nuts can’t match – and it’s making for a seriously Insta-worthy campaign.”
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Naturipe Farms has reported a “record-breaking year” for domestically grown blueberries, driven by high volume, premium quality, and strong demand for proprietary varieties Envoy and Keepsake. These varieties are now being harvested at scale for the first time, offering retailers and consumers some of the market’s best blueberries.
Jim Roberts, President of Naturipe Farms, stated, “Thanks to years of investment in breeding, we’re seeing a bumper crop of our jumbo blueberries, Mighty Blues, and premium Sweet Selections—and they’re selling out fast. Retailers and consumers alike are showing unprecedented enthusiasm for these flavor-packed berries.”
The company’s organic blueberries are also experiencing record demand and volume this summer. Near-perfect growing conditions in the Pacific Northwest during winter and spring have contributed to a strong, sustained domestic organic season, according to Naturipe.
With high-quality fruit and ample supply, larger pack sizes are gaining popularity at retail, driven by consumer preferences for better taste, value, and healthy summer snacking.
Naturipe’s position as the largest breeder and producer of blueberries in the U.S. provides a strategic advantage, enabling the company to supply high-quality fruit today and support the future of sustainable blueberry production nationwide.
Roberts emphasized, “Consumers now expect better-tasting fruit, longer shelf life, and strong sustainability stories as the standard—not the exception. Naturipe is proud to meet and exceed those expectations with our proprietary varieties, grower partnerships, and commitment to innovation.”
Blueberries continue to play a role in health and nutrition, providing antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. They remain a popular choice for fresh eating, smoothies, and summer snacking, according to the company.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Peruvian exports via air reached 91,881 tons, amounting to an increase of 4.3 percent compared to volume in the same period a year ago, according to Agraria, using data from Comex Peru.
Ag products leading Peruvian exports via air were: fresh or refrigerated asparagus, fresh mangoes, and fresh blueberries, which together amounted to 62.4 percent of the total volume.
The International Trade Guild noted air shipments of fresh or refrigerated asparagus in 2024 amounted to 33,227 tons, reflecting a reduction of 6.6 percent; fresh mangos added 14,786 tons, showing a declinr of 10 percent; while fresh blueberry exports amounted to 9,322 tons, increasing by 28.4 percent.
During the month of December 2024, Peruvian shipments via air amounted to 9,546 tons, registering an increase of 11.4 percent compared to what was dispatched in the same month of the previous year.
Fresh or refrigerated asparagus and fresh mangoes were the most dispatched products on this route during that month, concentrating 71 percent of the total volume. From the first product, 4,021 tons were sent (+3.4 percent), of the second were 2,757 tons (+38.1 percent).
Green bell peppers on the East Coast are limited with New Jersey slow to start shipping and tropical depression Chantal moving though North Carolina. Red bell peppers markets are higher due to snug supplies in California. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available, according to a company press release.
Green Bells
- North Carolina production has been impacted by tropical depression Chantal
- New Jersey has started with light volume; expect to see increases by the end of week
- Michigan and Ohio are expected to start this weekend in a limited manner
- California’s Bakersfield region is past peak production
- Fresno and Ventura, California regions will be up and running by mid-July
- Central Mexico volume (crossing into South Texas) is steady; quality is good
- Expect higher markets over the next two weeks
Red Bells
California’s Imperial Valley finished abruptly last week due to high heat
Bakersfield started last week and will continue to increase volume in July
Central Mexico has very light volume crossing into South Texas
Canadian greenhouse production is slow due to recent heat waves
Expect higher markets over the next week
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Summer shipments of citrus, both domestically and from imports is looking good.
Seald Sweet International of Vero Beach, FL is a major importer of summer citrus and started receiving
clementines from Peru in early May with great color and high Brix. Lemons from Argentina began arriving the last half of May and imports will continue through August.
Chilean lemon imports are expected from late July until September or October, and lemons from Mexico should be available in the U.S. during September, October and November.
Seald Sweet also will have a large navel orange import program from South Africa and Chile this summer, which started in late June from South Africa and a few weeks later from Chile. Cara caras also should be arriving from South Africa and Chile.
Seald Sweet expects to have extra volume of Chilean murcotts this year, and South African navels are expected to be normal this year following a 25% to 30% drop because of water-related issues.
Consalo Family Farms, in Vineland, N.J., reports a solid crop coming from South Africa, which seem to be back to normal this season after a flood last year took out 10% to 15% of the citrus crop in the Citrusdal area of the province of Western Cape.
The company also works with summer citrus growers in Peru, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, where great weather is reportedly resulting in good crops.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The U.S. mango market continues to experience strong growth, driven by increased harvest volumes, particularly from Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic are actively harvesting and packing mangoes for export to the United States.
The U.S. market primarily receives shipments of two mango varieties: Tommy Atkins, accounting for approximately 71% of shipments, and Ataulfo/Honey, representing around 23%.
Limited supplies of other varieties such as Haden, Kent, Mingolo, Manila, Nam Doc Mai, and Thai are also available.
As for size classifications, Ataulfo/Honey large sizes are 16 and larger, while small sizes are 18 and smaller.
Round mangoes vary from extra large (size 7+), large (sizes 8-10), and small (size 12 and smaller).
Trade
For the week ending April 26, total mango shipments to the U.S. reached approximately 3,928,010 boxes. Season-wise, the approximate volumes shipped are:
- Mexico: 3,099,478 boxes this week, totaling about 26,576,534 boxes for the season.
- Guatemala: 482,848 boxes shipped this week, with a season total of roughly 2,826,059 boxes.
- Nicaragua: 114,000 boxes this week, cumulative 580,675 boxes season-to-date.
- Dominican Republic: 152,156 boxes this week, totaling approximately 655,103 boxes for the season.
From Week 18 (starting May 3) through Week 22 (ending May 31), overall mango shipments are projected to be about 19% higher than last year. Arrival patterns are expected to continue from Week 19 to Week 23.
Specifically, the 2025 season is expected to see significant growth compared to 2024:
- Mexico: about 8% increase YOY.
- Guatemala: approximately 23% increase YOY.
- Nicaragua: a dramatic increase of around 87% YOY.
For Altar Cross Farms of Ivanhoe, NC has expanded its family owned organic blueberry production by 63 percent this year. With growing demand from both national and local retailers for its organic berries, the company expanded production and is now harvesting from 65 certified organic acres.
Happy Dirt of Durham, NC is an organic produce grower and distributor, handling the majority of Altar Cross Farms’ sales, serving a wide network of wholesale and retail partners across the Southeast.
This season marked the most productive blueberry crop Altar Cross Farms has had in five years, reports Roy Sykes, who co-owns the farm with his wife, Donna Sykes, and operates it with their daughters.
Altar Cross Farms is planted with a diverse varietal mix, including O’Neal, Duke, Legacy, New Hanover and Powder Blue to supports a harvest window stretching from mid-May through August.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY IS A TRANSPORTATION BROKER, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The 2025-26 California table grape season got underway in mid-May in the Coachella Valley in Southern California. As Coachella comes to an end any day now, loadings willshift north to the San Joaquin Valley, where grapes are harvested into December.
Good volume shipments are predicted this season.
To support the season, the California Table Grape Commission launched a global marketing campaign strategically developed to motivate the trade to stock and promote California table grapes, while inspiring consumers in the U.S. and across 21 export markets to choose more California grapes more often.
To encourage retailer participation, the campaign offers a comprehensive suite of promotional tools and incentives. These include bonus opportunities, digital promotions, a registered dietitian (RD) retail program, contests, point-of-purchase materials, and in-store sampling.
On the consumer side, the campaign features advertising on multi-retailer shopper apps, digital coupons and rewards, influencer and RD collaborations, and targeted social media advertising that highlights recipes, snacking ideas, and the health benefits of California-grown fresh grapes.
“Grapes from California enjoy a long season, with plenty of opportunity for promotion, from summer celebrations to fall gatherings,” said Ian LeMay, commission president.
“With a product that has global appeal, strong demand, and a strategic marketing campaign executed by a dedicated team, the commission is yet again ready to continue promoting California table grapes in markets around the world,” said LeMay.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
By Kenneth Cavallaro, Jr. ALC Boston
America’s supply chain depends on truck drivers to transport goods safely and efficiently across the country. As active members in the supply chain logistics industry, we know firsthand that the aging out of drivers can significantly impact operations and the timely delivery of goods. With the average age of truck drivers rising and fewer young adults entering the profession, is the industry doing enough to attract and retain young drivers to replace retiring older drivers?
The American Trucking Association estimates that there could be a shortage of at least 160,000 drivers by the year 2028. Addressing this gap requires a focused effort on recruiting young workers into the profession.
Truck driving can be a demanding career. Long hours, time away from family, and skyrocketing insurance costs (further complicated by higher premiums for younger, less experienced drivers) are significant roadblocks. Driving services, such as Uber and Lyft, offer greater flexibility with a reduction in time spent away from home or waiting to load or unload products.
So, how do we overcome these obstacles and attract more people to long-haul trucking? Fortunately, many asset-based companies are offering competitive benefits and improved wages. A recent study showed a 15.5% increase in driver wages per mile. One way to attract young drivers is by communicating the financial incentives of long-haul trucking to potential recruits, as well as maintaining viable wages and benefits in today’s market. Beyond the paycheck, truck driving offers a rare sense of freedom and autonomy — no desk, no daily micromanagement — just the open road and the opportunity to see the country while building a rewarding, independent career.
Organizations like NEXTGEN Trucking (NGT) work to promote trucking and logistics as rewarding career paths for young people. They partner with schools, educators, and industries to build and support high school and post-secondary CDL-drivers, diesel tech, and supply chain programs, connect students with employers, offer scholarships and resources, and celebrate student and industry achievements.
While stringent regulations are necessary for safety, the rigorous training and certification process can discourage potential drivers from entering the industry. Incentives such as sign-on bonuses, training assistance, and career milestone rewards could help attract and retain talent. In addition, we can improve work-life balance by leveraging technology to streamline driver routes and match owner-operators with hauls closer to their home base, allowing them more time with their families and reducing frustration from wasted miles. This type of flexibility and family-focused scheduling would appeal to today’s younger workforce and help reduce turnover long-term.
Taking care of that workforce is more than a want; it is a necessity. The next time you shop for fresh produce, clothing, or home goods, keep in mind the drivers that make it possible. Now is the time to make the changes that will attract and keep additional drivers in lifelong careers in the industry; otherwise, we face higher transportation costs, shipping delays, and a disrupted supply chain. By showing the next generation that truck driving isn’t just a job, but an opportunity to live life on your terms, with purpose and pride, we can reshape how the industry is seen and secure its future.
*****
Kenneth Cavallaro, Jr. is a Carrier Manager in the Boston office. He brings 26 years of experience in the transportation industry and has been with Allen Lund Company since 2019. Kenneth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Salem State University.
kenneth.cavallaro@allenlund.com
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Lipman Family Farms of Immokalee, FL has acquired tomato grower Shelton & Sons of Morristown, TN. The company says the acquisition strengthens Lipman’s domestic footprint and reinforces its ability to supply consistent, high-quality roma tomatoes year-round, solidifying the critical July through October growing season.
Shelton & Sons has been a dedicated partner in Lipman’s local grower network for decades, contributing to Lipman’s seasonal success with roma tomatoes in the eastern U.S., according to a release. Lipman says Shelton & Sons’ long-standing reputation for excellence and integrity in farming aligns with its values around family, quality and community.
“For years, Shelton & Sons has helped us deliver the freshest product to our customers during peak season,” said Lipman Family Farms CEO Elyse Lipman. “Their deep history in family farming and consistent supply makes them a natural extension of our team. We’re honored to bring them fully into the Lipman network.”
With this acquisition, Lipman strengthens its regional supply chain during summer and fall months and continues its investment in reliable, domestic agriculture, the release said. Shelton & Sons will maintain its focus on roma tomato production, offering customers continuity with the added support of Lipman’s nationwide infrastructure.
“Our family has been growing tomatoes in Morristown for decades, and Lipman has been a trusted partner through it all,” said Terry Cantrell of Shelton & Sons. “Joining the Lipman family feels like a natural next step that lets us continue on the legacy of farming with purpose.”
This marks the third major acquisition in the last eighteen months for Lipman Family Farms. In 2024, the company welcomed another longtime roma tomato partner, Jones & Church Farms of Unicoi, Tenn., and expanded in the Northeast market with the acquisition of Northeast Produce, a tomato repacker in Connecticut.
“We are dedicated to growing our team with like-minded companies and individuals so we can continue to make fresh produce accessible to families for generations to come,” Lipman said.
Wonderful Pistachios of Los Angeles is preparing for his biggest volume season yet.
Global demand for California pistachios is not holding back, having more than doubled over the past 10 years, with pistachio acreage growing by 6% to 10% annually. The upcoming fall 2025 harvest in California is expected to set a record, with yields potentially reaching 1.6 billion pounds.
Pistachio trees follow an alternate-bearing cycle, producing strong yields one year and lighter yields the next. Even in off-years, Wonderful Pistachios is well prepared, having invested more than $1 billion in its operations and capacity to ensure a year-round supply for the industry.
“People are just starting to see the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the versatility of pistachios, and they’re not holding back – they’re documenting and sharing it like never before,” said Diana Salsa, vice president of marketing at Wonderful Pistachios. “From pistachio lattes to Dubai chocolate and even perfumes, pistachios add a pop of bright green that other snack nuts can’t match – and it’s making for a seriously Insta-worthy campaign.”
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Naturipe Farms has reported a “record-breaking year” for domestically grown blueberries, driven by high volume, premium quality, and strong demand for proprietary varieties Envoy and Keepsake. These varieties are now being harvested at scale for the first time, offering retailers and consumers some of the market’s best blueberries.
Jim Roberts, President of Naturipe Farms, stated, “Thanks to years of investment in breeding, we’re seeing a bumper crop of our jumbo blueberries, Mighty Blues, and premium Sweet Selections—and they’re selling out fast. Retailers and consumers alike are showing unprecedented enthusiasm for these flavor-packed berries.”
The company’s organic blueberries are also experiencing record demand and volume this summer. Near-perfect growing conditions in the Pacific Northwest during winter and spring have contributed to a strong, sustained domestic organic season, according to Naturipe.
With high-quality fruit and ample supply, larger pack sizes are gaining popularity at retail, driven by consumer preferences for better taste, value, and healthy summer snacking.
Naturipe’s position as the largest breeder and producer of blueberries in the U.S. provides a strategic advantage, enabling the company to supply high-quality fruit today and support the future of sustainable blueberry production nationwide.
Roberts emphasized, “Consumers now expect better-tasting fruit, longer shelf life, and strong sustainability stories as the standard—not the exception. Naturipe is proud to meet and exceed those expectations with our proprietary varieties, grower partnerships, and commitment to innovation.”
Blueberries continue to play a role in health and nutrition, providing antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. They remain a popular choice for fresh eating, smoothies, and summer snacking, according to the company.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Peruvian exports via air reached 91,881 tons, amounting to an increase of 4.3 percent compared to volume in the same period a year ago, according to Agraria, using data from Comex Peru.
Ag products leading Peruvian exports via air were: fresh or refrigerated asparagus, fresh mangoes, and fresh blueberries, which together amounted to 62.4 percent of the total volume.
The International Trade Guild noted air shipments of fresh or refrigerated asparagus in 2024 amounted to 33,227 tons, reflecting a reduction of 6.6 percent; fresh mangos added 14,786 tons, showing a declinr of 10 percent; while fresh blueberry exports amounted to 9,322 tons, increasing by 28.4 percent.
During the month of December 2024, Peruvian shipments via air amounted to 9,546 tons, registering an increase of 11.4 percent compared to what was dispatched in the same month of the previous year.
Fresh or refrigerated asparagus and fresh mangoes were the most dispatched products on this route during that month, concentrating 71 percent of the total volume. From the first product, 4,021 tons were sent (+3.4 percent), of the second were 2,757 tons (+38.1 percent).
Green bell peppers on the East Coast are limited with New Jersey slow to start shipping and tropical depression Chantal moving though North Carolina. Red bell peppers markets are higher due to snug supplies in California. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available, according to a company press release.
Green Bells
- North Carolina production has been impacted by tropical depression Chantal
- New Jersey has started with light volume; expect to see increases by the end of week
- Michigan and Ohio are expected to start this weekend in a limited manner
- California’s Bakersfield region is past peak production
- Fresno and Ventura, California regions will be up and running by mid-July
- Central Mexico volume (crossing into South Texas) is steady; quality is good
- Expect higher markets over the next two weeks
Red Bells
California’s Imperial Valley finished abruptly last week due to high heat
Bakersfield started last week and will continue to increase volume in July
Central Mexico has very light volume crossing into South Texas
Canadian greenhouse production is slow due to recent heat waves
Expect higher markets over the next week
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Summer shipments of citrus, both domestically and from imports is looking good.
Seald Sweet International of Vero Beach, FL is a major importer of summer citrus and started receiving
clementines from Peru in early May with great color and high Brix. Lemons from Argentina began arriving the last half of May and imports will continue through August.
Chilean lemon imports are expected from late July until September or October, and lemons from Mexico should be available in the U.S. during September, October and November.
Seald Sweet also will have a large navel orange import program from South Africa and Chile this summer, which started in late June from South Africa and a few weeks later from Chile. Cara caras also should be arriving from South Africa and Chile.
Seald Sweet expects to have extra volume of Chilean murcotts this year, and South African navels are expected to be normal this year following a 25% to 30% drop because of water-related issues.
Consalo Family Farms, in Vineland, N.J., reports a solid crop coming from South Africa, which seem to be back to normal this season after a flood last year took out 10% to 15% of the citrus crop in the Citrusdal area of the province of Western Cape.
The company also works with summer citrus growers in Peru, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, where great weather is reportedly resulting in good crops.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The U.S. mango market continues to experience strong growth, driven by increased harvest volumes, particularly from Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic are actively harvesting and packing mangoes for export to the United States.
The U.S. market primarily receives shipments of two mango varieties: Tommy Atkins, accounting for approximately 71% of shipments, and Ataulfo/Honey, representing around 23%.
Limited supplies of other varieties such as Haden, Kent, Mingolo, Manila, Nam Doc Mai, and Thai are also available.
As for size classifications, Ataulfo/Honey large sizes are 16 and larger, while small sizes are 18 and smaller.
Round mangoes vary from extra large (size 7+), large (sizes 8-10), and small (size 12 and smaller).
Trade
For the week ending April 26, total mango shipments to the U.S. reached approximately 3,928,010 boxes. Season-wise, the approximate volumes shipped are:
- Mexico: 3,099,478 boxes this week, totaling about 26,576,534 boxes for the season.
- Guatemala: 482,848 boxes shipped this week, with a season total of roughly 2,826,059 boxes.
- Nicaragua: 114,000 boxes this week, cumulative 580,675 boxes season-to-date.
- Dominican Republic: 152,156 boxes this week, totaling approximately 655,103 boxes for the season.
From Week 18 (starting May 3) through Week 22 (ending May 31), overall mango shipments are projected to be about 19% higher than last year. Arrival patterns are expected to continue from Week 19 to Week 23.
Specifically, the 2025 season is expected to see significant growth compared to 2024:
- Mexico: about 8% increase YOY.
- Guatemala: approximately 23% increase YOY.
- Nicaragua: a dramatic increase of around 87% YOY.
For Altar Cross Farms of Ivanhoe, NC has expanded its family owned organic blueberry production by 63 percent this year. With growing demand from both national and local retailers for its organic berries, the company expanded production and is now harvesting from 65 certified organic acres.
Happy Dirt of Durham, NC is an organic produce grower and distributor, handling the majority of Altar Cross Farms’ sales, serving a wide network of wholesale and retail partners across the Southeast.
This season marked the most productive blueberry crop Altar Cross Farms has had in five years, reports Roy Sykes, who co-owns the farm with his wife, Donna Sykes, and operates it with their daughters.
Altar Cross Farms is planted with a diverse varietal mix, including O’Neal, Duke, Legacy, New Hanover and Powder Blue to supports a harvest window stretching from mid-May through August.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY IS A TRANSPORTATION BROKER, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The 2025-26 California table grape season got underway in mid-May in the Coachella Valley in Southern California. As Coachella comes to an end any day now, loadings willshift north to the San Joaquin Valley, where grapes are harvested into December.
Good volume shipments are predicted this season.
To support the season, the California Table Grape Commission launched a global marketing campaign strategically developed to motivate the trade to stock and promote California table grapes, while inspiring consumers in the U.S. and across 21 export markets to choose more California grapes more often.
To encourage retailer participation, the campaign offers a comprehensive suite of promotional tools and incentives. These include bonus opportunities, digital promotions, a registered dietitian (RD) retail program, contests, point-of-purchase materials, and in-store sampling.
On the consumer side, the campaign features advertising on multi-retailer shopper apps, digital coupons and rewards, influencer and RD collaborations, and targeted social media advertising that highlights recipes, snacking ideas, and the health benefits of California-grown fresh grapes.
“Grapes from California enjoy a long season, with plenty of opportunity for promotion, from summer celebrations to fall gatherings,” said Ian LeMay, commission president.
“With a product that has global appeal, strong demand, and a strategic marketing campaign executed by a dedicated team, the commission is yet again ready to continue promoting California table grapes in markets around the world,” said LeMay.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.