Shipments of asparagus from Peru to PortMiami have continued to grow this year after last year’s record.
During the first three months of the year, the Florida port has processed a record number, over 14.1 million of pounds of asparagus.
“Miami-Dade County is a new gateway for asparagus from Peru to Florida, as well as for millions of consumers across the USA and Canada,” the port said in a release.
During 2020, PortMiami imported over 148.7 million pounds of
asparagus, shattering the previous year’s record of 112.9 pounds.
Over the years, the number of asparagus has increased exponentially, from just 26.2 million pounds in 2017.
So far this calendar year, PortMiami has imported 13 percent more than by the same time last year.
The significant increases in asparagus imports via ocean transportation to Miami demonstrate that importers consider PortMiami as their preferred gateway.
“The reason that Miami-Dade County attracts asparagus from Peru is due to the fact that we have an abundance of cold storage warehouses and some of the most experienced fumigation providers in the industry,” the press release said.
Peru contributes the largest share of asparagus that enters into PortMiami. The majority of asparagus varieties imported from Peru to PortMiami are Green Asparagus.
Demand for Imports from Peru have been substantial this year. A major factor for Peruvian growers is that the climate allows two full crops of asparagus a year, providing plenty of vegetables to Miami-Dade County.
According to Max Rodriguez, Director of Peru Trade Office, Miami. (PROMPERU), “Miami, despite the Covid19 crisis, asparagus exports continued to grow in 2020 and will continue to grow in 2021, consolidating Peru as the main supplier of asparagus in Florida and the second supplier in the United States.”
Recently Seaboard has added an express service between Peru and PortMiami that has helped create an exponential increase in asparagus imports, as the express route is only 9 days from Callao, 7 days from Paita and 6 days from Guayaquil.
2021 Shipped Crop To Date: 8,879,137 boxes as of July 5th
Excessive heat can delay fruit development just as much as cooler weather.
Duration of this heat wave encouraged growers who were close to harvest to begin picking and shipping before their fruit was subjected to the heat. Such an upward shift in volume will have an eventual impact on the overall daily potential volume.
So while some more fruit arrived at the optical sorters before otherwise expected, the Northwest did lose some cherries due to the extreme heat. Cherries on the perimeter of the trees were more greatly impacted than fruit within the canopies. Thankfully, many growers were able to mitigate the worst of the heat with over-orchard netting and under-canopy sprinklers and thus were able to save much of their fruit. And at this point, no effects on green or developing cherries have been detected.
Even with the spike of fruit intake before the heat by most warehouses, June volume still fell well under the forecast due weather delays. With close to 8.4 million boxes, the preliminary June 2021 total was just under 2 million boxes shy (18%) of the last pre-crop estimate.
While the first week of June saw an average of 31,000 boxes a day, the Northwest has averaged an additional half-million additional boxes shipped per day (530,000) for the last week of the month.
It’s obvious the preseason estimate of 22.4 million boxes couldn’t take into account a record-smashing heat wave.
Big volume cherry shipments should continue into August as planned. The cherries in many higher elevations and norther latitude orchards are still green and growing well.
While most retails are now carrying Northwest fruit, there is still some late California fruit to be found in markets around the US. California’s volume increased 283% from last year, and 231% over the 3 year average. This lingering California fruit has delayed the transition into Northwest cherries, and caused perhaps more of an issue for Northwest shippers than the weather.
Yakima Valley cherries – grossing about $9700 to New York City.
Fresno, CA – Prima Wawona, the world’s leading grower and marketer of conventional and organic peaches, nectarines, plums, and apricots recently announced that it is expanding its acreage by another 2600 acres devoted to growing Stone Fruit. The new acreage increases the company’s total to almost 15,000 acres, equating to 1.0 million additional Stone Fruit trees, and further establishes Prima Wawona as the leading Stone Fruit grower in the world.
“As industry leaders, this investment represents an ongoing commitment to the growth and development of the Stone Fruit category and will help us achieve our long-term objectives. It will allow Prima Wawona to expand its ability to grow, harvest, pack and ship the healthiest, most delicious, highest quality Stone Fruit” said Eric Beringause, Chief Executive Officer of Prima Wawona.
“We look forward to building our partner relationships with valued retail and wholesale customers across North America and around the world by providing additional product for their shoppers who acknowledge and appreciate Prima brands as the best Stone Fruit available” said Kevin J. Kollock, Chief Commercial Officer. “Additional Stone Fruit will also provide selling opportunities with new customers who may not have experience with our superior products”. Kollock added that “our expansion will put Prima Wawona acreage at a total approaching double the peach acreage of all of Georgia, a state known for peaches”.
Prima Wawona has been involved in breeding & growing Stone Fruit for generations. The company is known for its unrivaled quality and consistency across multiple varieties. Prima Wawona is committed to quality control, unwavering attention to food safety, and ongoing research and development. The 2,600-acre expansion is on top of approximately 1,000 acres that are redeveloped and replanted with new trees every year as older plantings age out of production and further reflects the company’s commitment and investment in Stone Fruit.
“This expansion is an exciting opportunity for our team, customers, and ultimately consumers” said Mark Murai, Senior Vice President of Agricultural Operations. “We are the best in the industry in understanding what it takes to deliver the finest Stone Fruit available. That commitment to excellence includes our extensive proprietary breeding program and development of new, innovative varieties in both conventional and organic fruit that this additional acreage will provide”. Murai added that “as a company we are focused on sustainable farming practices and will be utilizing cutting-edge water management technology on all of our new & redevelopment acreage”.
For more information, please email the Prima Wawona Team at info@prima.com.
About Prima® Wawona:
Prima® Wawona is the largest producer of stone fruit in the U.S. Based in the heart of California’s central San Joaquin Valley.
By Matt Sarko,Transportation Broker, ALC Cleveland
Since the beginning of last year, the increase in the cost of freight has not only impacted the transportation industry but the economy as a whole. Transportation costs are now at an all-time high as drivers and trucks are currently in short supply.
Food prices rose 3.9% in 2020 and the U.S. Department of Agriculture anticipates another 2% to 3% increase for costs in 2021. The increase in transportation prices is primarily due to the shortage in drivers causing trucking companies to increase wages to attract more employees.
Additionally, the market is experiencing a shortage in semi-conductors, which is keeping new trucks from coming on the market and has since exacerbated the issue. The increase in transportation costs only adds to the supply chain problems for growers, suppliers, and retailers as they are still experiencing the effects of congested ports as well as the winter storm, which both continue to have widespread impacts across the U.S.
With the supply chain in disorder, we will continue to see a rise in the price of consumer goods. Moreover, the cost of transportation will ultimately affect the prices of publicly traded companies such as Bed Bath & Beyond and General Mills, considering they have alerted investors about these problems on their earnings call.
For transportation brokers like ourselves, taking advantage of the spot market whenever possible might be the best way to combat the losses taken on contractual year round rates as freight prices continue to rise, and to also keep important products, produce, and perishables moving across the country.
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Matt began working fulltime for the Allen Lund Company in August of 2020 as a transportation broker for the Cleveland office. He originally started working his summer breaks during college as a broker’s assistant for the office. Matt joined the company with a degree in Finance from John Carroll University.
RIDGE SPRING, SC – Lori Anne Peaches are back in stores at select retailers nationwide. The varieties that make up the Lori Anne Peach brand are chosen for flavor and are the absolute best of the best fruit grown at Titan Farms. Knowing Lori Anne Peaches will bring back childhood memories of chin dripping goodness and summertime fun, Titan Farms has revamped their POS signage for the upcoming season. Additionally, Lori Anne Carr will continue the tradition of in-store demos at select retailer locations in Minnesota and Louisiana this July and August.
“The opportunity to interact directly with customers is genuinely something I look forward to. We are excited to be able to travel and introduce Lori Anne Peaches to new market areas for these retailers. Consumers ask the best questions and I have the opportunity to share stories about the farm, peaches, and our family. At the same time, I am also able to share tips, techniques, and even some recipes! It’s truly a lot of fun!” – Lori Anne Carr, Vice President and Administrative Manager
“Lori Anne Peaches are by far the best tasting peaches I’ve ever had; there’s really no comparison.” – Lori Anne Peach repeat customer
For more than 10 years, Titan Farms has grown a beautiful peach like none other named the Lori Anne Peach, where only the top 20 percent of their peaches are selected for this brand. Grown by Chalmers and Lori Anne Carr, this peach is so special that Chalmers could not think of a better name than that of his beloved wife. College sweethearts, who are partners in life and in business, they have produced this ripe consistently tasty peach with just enough fuzz – a special peach that brings back memories of Southern summer days passed, and lazy days shared with family while a warm homemade peach cobbler cools on the kitchen counter. These peaches receive a lot of tender loving care—ripened by humid South Carolina nights, harvested by hand, and carefully selected for packing—giving Lori Anne’s Peaches that special flavor – just how a peach should taste: the perfect marriage between ripeness and flavor.
“A peach so special I named it after my wife.” – Chalmers Carr, President and CEO
Founded in 1999 by Chalmers and Lori Anne Carr, Titan Farms is a premier grower, packer and shipper of fresh peaches and vegetables. With core values focused on producing the highest quality produce in the market, you are sure to take home the freshest produce they have available. Today, Titan Farms is the largest peach grower on the east coast, with over 6,200 acres of peaches, 600 acres of bell peppers, 1,000 acres of broccoli and 36 acres of eggplant. Titan Farms is a family-run operation, including long-time employees who have become part of their Titan family.
New Jersey ranks 3rd nationally in peach shipments, behind California (which produces more than all other states combined) and South Carolina. Georgia, The Peach State, ranks 4th.
New Jersey peach shipments got underway in light volume about a week ago.
Recent statistics published by the NJ Peach Promotion Council (NJPPC) estimate that 55 NJ growers are producing about 3300 acres of peaches and nectarines and should harvest between 50, and 55 million pounds of fruit in 2021.
The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council emphasizes tree thinning is necessary to not only improve size but also to keep the tree branches and shoots from breaking with a heavy crop, and even dying from overload, particularly when it is stressed from dry weather. and heat.
A mature peach tree may have 12,000 flowers or 10,000 little peaches but only needed 500 to 600 mature large fruit.
The NJPPC is a voluntary organization of growers, packers, shippers, marketers and allied industry dedicated to the orderly marketing and promotion of NJ Peaches.
Mexico is now the world’s leading strawberry exporter in 2020, having over taken Spain.
The Mexico News Daily reported for over 20 years Spain was led the pack with $646 million in sales in 2020, while Mexico reached over $851 million, an increase of 12.4 percent from 2019.
The U.S. ranks third with $477 million.
Mexican strawberries’ main export destination was the U.S., as it imported 99.3 percent of Mexico’s shipments. Spain mainly exports within Europe.
Mexico overcame difficulties prompted by the current pandemic such as shortage of labor and the collapse of foodservice demand, to which 15 percent of the fruit is sold.
On the other hand, the pandemic contributed to the purchase of foods perceived as healthy, such as berries, according to the USDA.
The Mexican strawberry market surpassed the Belgian market in 2012, the Dutch in 2016, and the U.S. market in 2019.
Over a million poles stretch toward the sky on 750 rolling acres in Oceanside, California, graced by vines which yielded the season’s first vine-ripened roma and round tomatoes the Fourth of July.
With tomatoes peaking in September and October, and finishing off at the beginning of December, the Oceanside Pole label packs in 22-pound two layers, 25-pound volume fill and 15-pound single later, RPCs and a 5-pound club pack.
The leading grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce from around the world, Oppy offers the last remaining pole-grown tomatoes in California in its Oceanside Pole label. This year, 2.2 million cases of rounds and 1.1 million cases of romas will be shipped across the U.S. and Canada, and as always, arrive at preferred ripeness dependent on customer needs.
“Our team harvests each acre 18-20 times throughout the season to ensure each tomato is carefully hand-picked at its best,” said Oppy Director of Sales and Strategy Mark Smith. “In many cases, we pack, ship and deliver to our customers within 24 hours. Because of our central location and efficiency, we only harvest tomatoes when ready. That translates to high brix levels, exceptional flavor and an extended shelf life that you can only expect from the Oceanside Pole label.”
Attention to detail is unmatched, with teammates walking the fields each day to always know what the plants need at that time, said Smith. Along with upgrading its packing line for even better precision at Oceanside Pole this season, Oppy is prepared to meet increased foodservice demands while ensuring its tomatoes are of the best quality. Food safety and traceability protocols are constant, according to Smith.
Oceanside Pole also has great pride in their dedication to supporting the local community which includes their pledge to hiring military veterans from neighboring Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton. All while collaborating on an internship program that provides civilian work experience for soldiers leaving the military.
About Oppy
Growing, marketing and distributing fresh produce from around the globe for more than 160 years, Vancouver, BC-based Oppy discovers and delivers the best of the world’s harvest. With over 50 million boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables grown on every continent moving through its supply chain annually, Oppy offers popular favorites from avocados and berries to apples and oranges year-round, alongside innovative seasonal specialties. Over the years, Oppy has introduced North Americans to a number of items across its diverse produce range, including Granny Smith, JAZZ and Envy apples, as well as green and gold kiwifruit.
About Oceanside Pole
Growing for three generations, the Singh family is the last remaining pole tomato producer in California. Since 1939, they have tended vine-ripened tomatoes on the same land with the knowledge and expertise that can only come with time. Grown on an idyllic property near the historic Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, the Singh family has a calm, almost spiritual approach to growing their produce. The fresh, salty air and bright sunshine makes it seem like a calling—only with such a deep sense of care and determination can exceptional produce be harvested time and again.
U.S. onion consumption has increased over the past two decades.
Though the gains have not been dramatic, USDA per capita availability numbers for onions have consistently risen since 2000.
The USDA’s per capita retail availability for fresh onions (edible weight) has increased from 14.4 pounds in 2000 to 16.2 pounds in 2019. Per capita retail availability of onions reached 19.8 pounds in 2017, according to USDA statistics, before falling to 16.2 pounds for both 2018 and 2019.
The import share of the total U.S. onion supply was 14% in 2019, up from 6% in 2000, according to the USDA.
Here is a comparison of onion truck shipments from U.S. sources in 2020, compared with 2015 and 2010.
Arizona: 19.1 million pounds, compared with 29.1 million pounds in 2015 and 24.7 million pounds in 2010;
Central California: 339.1 million pounds, compared with 304.8 million pounds in 2015 and 328.9 million pounds in 2010;
California Imperial Valley: 144.9 million pounds in 2020, compared with 119.1 million pounds in 2015 and 91.6 million pounds in 2010;
California South: 16.1 million pounds in 2020, compared with 110.5 million pounds in 2015 and 113.1 million pounds in 2010;
Colorado: 106.4 million pounds in 2020, compared with 159.6 million pounds in 2015 and 248.2 million pounds in 2010;
Georgia: 180.1 million pounds in 2020, compared with 166.8 million pounds in 2015 and 181.9 million pounds in 2010;
Idaho: 690.2 million pounds in 2020, compared with 478.7 million pounds in 2015 and 368.4 million pounds in 2010;
Michigan: 47.9 million pounds, compared with 67.4 million pounds in 2015 and 65.2 million pounds in 2010;
New Mexico: 415.3 million pounds, compared with 379.9 million pounds in 2015 and 319.5 million pounds in 2010;
New York: 154.8 million pounds in 2020, compared with 236.2 million pounds in 2015 and 180.5 million in 2010;
Oregon: 526.3 million pounds in 2020, compared with 644 million pounds in 2015 and 502.5 million in 2010;
Texas: 299.7 million pounds in 2020, compared with 65 million pounds in 2015 and 273.5 million pounds in 2010;
Utah: 74.1 million pounds in 2020, compared with 74.9 million pounds in 2015 and 59.5 million pounds in 2010;
Washington: 1.11 billion pounds in 2020, compared with 775.9 million pounds in 2015 and 645.4 million pounds in 2010; and
Wisconsin: 57.6 million pounds in 2020, compared with 44 million pounds in 2015 and 41.3 million pounds in 2010.
Rouge River Farms of Gormley, ON has acquired of all assets and shares of Magnolia Packing of Americus, GA.
Magnolia is a green bean grower and packer with operations in Florida and Georgia.
Following the agreement with Rouge River Farms, Magnolia will continue to operate with their current management and sales staff to ensure a smooth transition to the new ownership.
The Magnolia green bean packing operation is expected to complement the corn program at Rouge River, and this year the company will be able to offer a year round green bean program with the opening of its new packinghouse in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
Magnolia has 5,000 acres of green beans planted.
About Rouge River Farms Rouge River Farms is a premiere distributor of sweet corn to grocery chains throughout North America and has farmland and packinghouses in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, and Ontario, providing farm fresh sweet corn year round.
