Walmart has launched a pilot program using automated drones to deliver grocery and household items to consumers.
“Our latest initiative has us exploring how drones can deliver items in a way that’s convenient, safe, and – you guessed it – fast,” said Tom Ward, senior vice president of customer product for Walmart. “…we’re taking the next step in our exploration of on-demand delivery by announcing a new pilot with Flytrex, an end-to-end drone delivery company.”
The pilot launched recently in Fayetteville, NC, and focuses on delivering select grocery and household essential items from Walmart stores using Flytrex’s automated drones. The drones, which are controlled over the cloud using a smart and easy control dashboard, will help the company gain valuable insight into the customer and associate experience, from picking and packing to takeoff and delivery.
“We know that it will be some time before we see millions of packages delivered via drone,” said Ward. “That still feels like a bit of science fiction, but we’re at a point where we’re learning more and more about the technology that is available and how we can use it to make our customers’ lives easier. Take for example our autonomous vehicle work with Gatik, Ford and Nuro – we’ve gained loads of valuable insight into how autonomous vehicles fit within our business.”
The company said at the end of the day, it’s learnings from pilots such as this that will help shape the potential of drone delivery on a larger scale.
A modest 3 percent increase over last season is being forecast by the USDA for Mexican avocados.
Mexico is the leading producer and exporter of avocados globally, with nearly 964,000 metric tons valued at over $2.4 billion exported to the United States in 2019-20, a historical record for both quantity and value.
Mexican avocado production is predicted to rise by 3 percent over last season in the 2020-21 season to 2.41m metric tons (MT). The predicted increase for the crop year running from July through June is due to continued expansion in planted area and optimal weather conditions without hail or frost during the growing season.
Planted and harvested areas are expected to increase to 243,640 hectares (ha) and 232,495 ha, respectively, with a national yield of 10.36 MT/ha. Avocado production in 2019-20 reached 2.32m MT, 6 percent greater compared to 2018-19 on the increased planted area.
The peak harvest period is from October to February, with an average supply from March to May. The the low volume season is from June to September.
Production in the state of Michoacán, the only state with U.S. market access, was seven percent higher compared to the previous marketing year, and production and exports are expected to grow even further in 2020-21. Despite Covid-19 pandemic challenges to agricultural harvests and supply chains, avocado demand in the United States remained strong and is forecast to increase.
The California prune harvest has wrapped up, with early forecasts of a short crop at 45,000 metric tons, a 37 percent drop from the previous season.
Combined with “carry-in” from last season however handlers should have sufficient supplies for the season, according to the California Prune Board, Roseville, CA.
Growers worked through COVID-19 disruptions and wildfires during harvest, but the “optimum range of sizes” sets up excellent opportunities to market the crop this season, according to a news release from the board.
“While the pandemic has fueled consumers’ focus on healthy foods, the California prune industry regularly promotes the nutritional profile and invests in nutrition research that elevates the health benefits of prunes,” Donn Zea, executive director of the board. “We are grateful that so many consumers have chosen California prunes during this time. We plan on doing everything we can to earn and keep their trust.”
The industry is focused on maintaining a balance of supply and demand through the season.
During the 2019 season, which ended July 31, California prune exports rose 17 percent, and domestic shipments were 12 percent higher than the previous season, according to the board.
The California Prune Board represents about 800 growers, who produce about 40 percent of the world’s supply on 40,000 acres.
U.S. fresh fruit imports in July fell by 14 percent from last year to $857million, driven by declines in Hass avocados and bananas, according to the USDA.
While the figure is a big decline from the previous year, it is only marginally below the level recorded in July 2018. Hass avocados – which in July typically represent around a quarter of the U.S.’s total fresh fruit imports by value – fell by 32 percent to $189 million.
Bananas were the other major fruit import to experience big decline, falling 15 percent to $147 million. Imports of citrus overall remained flat at $184.3 million, although mandarin imports almost doubled in the month to hit $42.5 million, while lemons and clementines both saw declines of about 30 percent.
The fresh deciduous fruit category also fell, declining by 28 percent to $68.9 million, which was largely due to lower imports of table grapes and apples.
Imports from Mexico – which in July usually supplies around a third of the total – dropped by 14 percent to $317.6 million. Meanwhile, fresh fruit imports from Peru also fell by 14 percent to $104.4 million.
Pharr, Texas: A celebration for the “Start of the Produce Season 2020-2021” was held on October 8, 2020 at the Pharr International Bridge, which seems appropriate for a bridge that crossed 190,174 fresh produce truckloads in FY2020 – more than any other international bridge in the US.
Over 65 percent of all the fresh produce crossing from Mexico through Texas is crossed at the Pharr International Bridge. Plans are already in place to expand the bridge by another 4 lanes in order to expedite crossings.
“In addition to the bridge expansion, three other projects are up for bids on October 2021,” said Luis Bazan, Pharr Bridge Director. “Under the DAP 16 [Donations Acceptance Program] these projects include an expansion of the dry dock, a cold inspection facility and the regional agriculture lab and training center.” Funding is already approved for these projects, according to Bazan.
Founded in 1942, the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) promotes, advocates, educates and represents the nearly $8 billion in fresh produce that is either grown in the state or calls Texas the first point of US-arrival for North American distribution.
WENATCHEE, WASHINGTON – In early August, the first estimate for Washington apple shipments predicted a crop volume of 134 million boxes (40 lb.), on par with the previous season of 133 million boxes. Since the time of the initial estimate, extreme windstorms, wildfires on the West Coast, and more accurate reporting of crop load on the trees as harvest progressed, suggest a lighter total crop volume for the 2020-21 apple harvest.
Expectations are for a 5-10 percent reduction in crop volume as a result of the adverse weather events. This would place the revised estimate at between 32.3 million and 31.6 million boxes to be shipped.
Over Labor Day weekend, a strong windstorm resulted in apples being knocked off the tree and some growers sustaining damage to their trellis systems. Fueled by the wind event, wildfires burning in Washington and other West Coast states have produced intense smoky conditions, delaying harvest a few days as some areas have had to halt operations.
Washington apple growers and orchard crews started picking Galas in late August and have since moved on to Honeycrisp. Harvest in Washington typically begins mid-August and lasts into November. Red Delicious, Fuji and Cosmic Crisp® will be harvested in October and the season will wrap up with Granny Smith and Cripps Pink in November.
Demand for Washington apples has been high in response to elevated health-conscious and bulk-purchase behavior by consumers. Volume of apples shipped during this time period is slightly lower than last season, but overall movement is good.
Washington is the leading producer of apples, representing 65 percent of all U.S. fresh apple production. The state exports one-third of its fresh crop to over 60 markets worldwide, accounting for 95 percent of all U.S. apple exports.
The Washington Apple Commission is a non-profit, promotional organization dedicated to marketing and advertising fresh Washington apples internationally.
Washington apple shipments to Chicago – grossing about $5200.
While good volume of Peruvian imported sweet onions from Peru is now occurring, volume will be off a little from last season.
Bland Farms LLC of Glennville, GA reports the Peruvian crop overall is pretty good, although the coronavirus pandemic has led to labor shortages, with drivers hauling back to ports and restrictions on the number of workers allowed at port facilities.
A short Vidalia onion crop this year led Bland Farms to import its first Peruvian onions August 1, about two weeks earlier than usual.
Potandon Produce of Idaho Falls, ID ships Peruvian onions under the Green Giant Fresh label, started importing onions in mid August.
Keystone Fruit Marketing Co. of Greencastle, PA also got an early start with its Mayan Sweets, imported from Peru.
A merger has been announced by Washington Fruit & Produce Co. and Yakima Fresh to sell apples, cherries and pears.
The new partnership, Washington Fruit Sales, merges Yakima Fresh with the Washington Fruit & Produce sales team, according to a news release. Roche Fruit Co., which has marketed fruit through Yakima Fresh, continues to do so, while owning and operating its farming and packing operations.
Tommy Hanses, CEO of Washington Fruit & Produce, said he and his partners, Don and Doug Gibson of Mount Adams Fruit Co., are excited to work with the Roche Fruit and Yakima Fresh teams.
“We share many of the same values and philosophies, including commitment to quality and excellence in all that they do,” Hanses said. “The fit between these organizations enhances our ability to serve the needs of our customers.”
Washington Fruit & Produce was founded in 1916, and Roche Fruit was founded two years later.
“We have known the Washington Fruit team and organization for years and believe the opportunity to partner with another long-term, quality focused, family owned organization is really unique and will resonate with our customers,” Michael Roche, president said.
Steve Smith, general manager of Yakima Fresh, said the merger provides the company with an “exceptional opportunity.”
“The breadth and depth of our combined programs is very exciting,” Smith stated.
Yakima Fresh was founded in 2005, by three Yakima apple companies — Hansen Fruit & Cold Storage Inc., Roche Fruit Co. LLC, and Yakima Fruit & Cold Storage Co. Inc. — and Stadelman Fruit LLC, Zillah, Wash.
Starr Ranch Growers, Wenatchee, Wash., announced this spring it will be marketing Stadelman Fruit’s crops.
CMI Orchards, Wenatchee, also formed a partnership this spring with Yakima Fruit and Cold Storage Co.
Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, became the marketer of cherries and apples from Hansen Fruit in 2018.
Imported Brazilian mangoes are increasing as mango shipments from Mexico are winding down. Imports from Ecuador and Peru will start arriving soon.
Ciruli Bros. LLC of Rio Rico, AZ is in its third season and is now handling mangoes year-round.
On average, over the past five years, the U.S. received nearly 32 million 4-kilogram (8.8-pound) boxes of mangoes from South America annually, according to the USDA.
Brazil has shipped about 8.2 million boxes to the U.S. annually, Ecuador about 12 million boxes and Peru about 11.6 million boxes.
South America accounts for about 28 percent of total U.S. volume.
Brazil, which ships from August to December, exports primarily the tommy atkins variety and a few kent and ataulfo (or honey) varieties; Ecuador ships tommy atkins and some kents and ataulfos from October to January; and Peru exports kents and a few ataulfos from November to March.
Ciruli Bros. reports quality of the mangoes varies by country. Much of the quality is determined by the transit times by boat which may take a couple of weeks.
Product from Ecuador can reach the U.S. in six or seven days, while the trip from Peru takes 11 days, and the voyage from Brazil can take 14 or 15 days. Freska Produce International LLC of Oxnard, CA, was kicking off its mango program from Brazil in late August with shipments to the East Coast.
CarbAmericas Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, FL. has been importing offshore mangoes for more over 25 years.
The company received its first fruit of the season from Brazil in late August.
Central American Produce Inc. of Pompano Beach, Fla. started its mango program from Brazil in early September.
WENATCHEE, WA: Furthering its commitment to being a one-stop-shop for retailers looking for premium apples, pears and cherries grown in Washington State, CMI Orchards LLC reports continued expansion for the company. Strategic partnerships with Yakima Fruit, as well as with Pine Canyon Growers, in addition to significant internal growth, has added over 4 million boxes to CMI’s manifest.
“This is all a part of a long-range plan for strategic growth to better serve our customers,” said CMI President, Bob Mast. “The design began to unfold back in 2018 when CMI Orchards added Pine Canyon Growers as a grower, packer and shipper. This addition greatly strengthened our manifest and our progress has enabled us to team up with another great partner in Yakima Fruit.”
“Yakima Fruit, formerly connected to Yakima Fresh, has a highly desirable manifest that greatly bolsters our offerings, including exceptional early Honeycrisp and high-colored genetic strains of Honeycrisp, Gala and Fuji,” said Mast. “The partnership also adds considerable Cosmic Crisp volume.” According to Mast, the partnership was executed on March 20, 2020.
As a result of recent growth, CMI reports the following increases in their core, organic and branded offerings: Granny Smith (+89%), Gala (+44%), Pink Lady (+92%), Fuji (+62%), Honeycrisp (+62%), and organic Honeycrisp (+47%). According to CMI, their total organic crop has surpassed 3.5 million boxes, which is made up of increases in core organic varieties such as Gala, Fuji and Honeycrisp, in addition to branded organics which create opportunities for retail pricing tiers that help boost sales. In 2020, CMI will bring the first Washingtongrown EverCrisp to market, and will launch the very first harvest of organic EverCrisp nationwide.
Mast reports that in addition to high production orchards, the Yakima Fruit partnership brings an opportunity to strategize on future plantings with available unplanted acreage to best meet the needs of CMI’s retailer and consumer preferences for both apples and cherries. “CMI is thrilled with the opportunity this blank slate provides and is looking into planting early cherry varieties, licensed branded apples and cherries, as well as high flavor, high quality core apple varietals.”
“Between our exceptional domestic apples, premium managed varieties, year-round supply and commitment to innovation, we are perfectly positioned to serve the growing needs of the market,” said Mast. “CMI is already known within the industry as a leader for new branded items and organics, and this partnership will enable us to continue to pioneer advancements in these areas while expanding our fruit supply, meeting the needs of all of our customers. “We are very proud to welcome the Yakima Fruit team to the CMI Orchards Family and look forward to a long-lasting partnership,” Mast said.
ABOUT THE COMPANIES
CMI Orchards, founded in 1989, is the sales and marketing arm of McDougall and Sons, Columbia Fruit Packers, Double Diamond Fruit Company, Highland Fruit Company and Pine Canyon Growers. With 9 warehouses locations throughout the State of Washington, this new partnership will add one additional packing shed, greatly increasing CMI’s production capacity and efficiencies.
Yakima Fruit was incorporated in 1949 by the Cohodas Brothers Company of Michigan, a wholesale produce distribution company with branches throughout Michigan and Wisconsin. Following World War II service with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Herbert L. Frank relocated to Yakima, Washington to assume management of the recently acquired packing and storage facility. Subsequently, Yakima Fruit was managed by Lawrence C. Frank and then Michael C. Wilcox, a third-generation grower with sales and marketing experience. In April 2018, a majority interest in Yakima Fruit was acquired by Pioneer Partners LLP, an investment subsidiary of the Hancock Natural Resources Group.
