Carrier Transicold of Southern California has opened a 42,000-square-foot service facility.
The Jurupa Valley, Calif., facility has 12 bays and is the largest of Carrier Transicold of Southern California’s (CTSC) three locations. Carrier Transicold equipment and services support the shipping of temperature-controlled cargo and cold-chain visibility, according to a news release.
CTSC, based in City of Industry, Calif., opened a satellite operation in the Inland Empire region four years ago and demand made the larger facility necessary.
“Our new facility provides better access and greater convenience for refrigerated haulers serving the area and especially those entering Southern California from the east,” Bill Willett, president and CEO of CTSC, said in the release. “It’s another example of how we are investing deeply to help support our customers.”
The facility includes a service area with 25 technicians, a training area and a showroom.
California watermelon shipments should be up for the 2020 season, while cantaloupe and honeydew volume should be similar to last year.
The San Joaquin Valley’s westside district is the heart of California’s melon loadings. There should be 16 million 40-pound cartons of cantaloupe this season.
Honey shipments should mirror 2019’s 7.6 million 30-pound cartons.
California growers are expected to ship about 529 million pounds of watermelons in 2020, up from 450 million pounds last year.
Turlock Fruit Co. Inc. of Turlock, CA., had all of its melons, including cantaloupe and honeydew, ready by the Fourth of July.
Turlock’s cantaloupes and the company’s proprietary Orangedew melons got underway June 25, with honeydews started July 1.
Industry wide, cantaloupe volume exceeds honeydews, but Turlock Fruit Co. grows more honeydews.
Pacific Trellis Fruit of Los Angeles ships organic and conventional Pure Heart mini watermelons, conventional and some organic Tuscan-style cantaloupes and conventional Sunny Gold yellow seedless watermelonsWestside Produce of Firebaugh, CA., started shipping cantaloupes and honeydews from Arizona in mid-May and should have consistent supplies through October,
Cantaloupe and honeydew volume will be similar to past years, although the company has changed its mix of varieties and sizes.
Couture Farms of Huron, CA, which specializes in mixed melons and honeydews, has reduced its acreage of specialty melons and decided not to grow honeydews this year because of uncertainties in the marketplace during the planting season.
Industry wide, cantaloupes to account for 70 percent of the three categories, honeydews 25 percent and specialty melons 5 percent.
Del Mar Farms of Westley, CA began shipping cantaloupes, honeydews, seedless watermelons and mini watermelons the first week of July.
The company will have cantaloupes and honeydews through October and possibly into November.
Turlock Fruit Co., where three generations are actively involved in management, is a bit different in the cantaloupe world because the company still ships the traditional Western-shipper type cantaloupe, which has the full color and aroma of a full-slip melon.
When a full-slip melon is ready for harvest, it is pulled off the vine, unlike the widely used harper variety, which must be cut from the vine.
The newer varieties have the shelf life but not the flavor component of the Western shipper cantaloupes.
Nearly two-thirds of New Mexico onion shipments occur during July and August.
Shipments of Southern New Mexico onions in 2019 totaled 9.93 million 40-pound cartons, down from 10.34 million cartons in 2018 and 11.43 million cartons in 2017.
In 2019, shipments of New Mexico onions began in May and barely extended into early November.
The percent of total New Mexico onion annual shipments by month:
May: less than 1 percent;
June: 34 percent;
July: 43 percent;
August: 21 percent;
September: 1 percent;
October: less than 1 percent; and
November: less than 1 percent.
In June 2019, New Mexico onions accounted for 35 percent of total U.S. onion shipments, increasing to 45 percent in July and declining to 21 percent in August.
RRoot 24 Farms of Moxee City, WA, is a new organic blueberry company shipping its first crop from 650 acres of production, with “many more” in transition to organic, according to a news release.
“Our name comes from the fact that we’re deeply rooted in the land and that our two growing regions — Moxee and Othello — are each at opposite ends of Route 24, which traverses the heart of Washington — crossing the Columbia River to link our two farms,” Tim Youmans, executive vice president of sales and marketing, said in the release.
Youmans most recently was vice president of commodities and national accounts, but was at berry company Driscoll’s for more than 18 ½ years before that, most recently as vice president of sales.
Root 24 is a new company and brand, but the berries are from established production; the growers previously supplied other brands.
The company also markets frozen, dried and powdered blueberries, allowing it to be selective when packing for the fresh market. The blueberries are available in six-ounce dry pints and 18-ounce and 2-pound clamshells. The company also has a 6-ounce jumbo pack.
The company’s fresh berry window is from late June through early August.
“Our geography is unique and our season is relatively short,” Youmans said in the release. “We have matched varieties with ideal consumer flavor attributes to the land we grow on and to our organic farming system. We have tried to view varietal selection holistically and always with a focus on a true blueberry flavor experience that drives consumer consumption.
U.S. imports of fruits and vegetables rose 6 percent from May 2019 through April 2020, which was led by grapes, avocados and berries.
USDA trade statistics report imports of fresh vegetables for the period were $9.31 billion for the year ending April, up 7 percent. Imports of frozen/fresh fruit were $15.08 billion, up 6 percent.
Combined U.S. imports of fruits and vegetables totaled $24.38 billion, up 6 percent from the previous year.
Imports of avocados rose 14 percent for the year ending in April, the value of grape imports increased 24 percent and berries (excluding strawberries) increased 8 percent compared with the previous year.
U.S. imports for the year from May 2019 to April 2020, with percentage change compared to the previous year:
Berries (excluding strawberries): $2.92 billion, up 8 percent;
Avocados: $2.79 billion, up 14 percent;
Bananas/Plantains (fresh/frozen), $2.46 billion, up 1 percent;
Tomatoes: $2.4 billion, up 1 percent;
Grapes: $1.77 billion, up 24 percent;
Peppers: $1,66 billion, up 4 percent;
Citrus: $1.18 billion, down 6 percent; and
Strawberries (fresh or frozen): $1.01 billion, up 3 percent.
Peruvian avocado exports have been largely focused on Europe during the opening stages of its season, but the industry now sees a market opportunity in the U.S.
Mexican avocado shipments are in a seasonal decline. Until now the South American country’s options in the U.S. have been limited due to heavy volumes from the world’s largest exporter. Mexico shipped 50 to 70 million pounds a week during April.
Peru is expected to be supply most of the U.S. market during July and August. The season will likely wind down in September.
Peru is expecting exports of around 360,000 metric tons (MT) this season, which would mark a 25 percent increase over last year. The country also is starting exports to Asian markets including Taiwan, South Korea, India and Japan.
Peru has significantly extended its season on the front-end due to orchards in new northern growing regions coming into production.
A massive distribution center in Laredo, Texas, for Mexican avocados and other produce items is being built by Mission Produce Inc. of Oxnard, CAs.
Construction on the 262,000-square-foot facility began in May and is scheduled to be completed in mid-2021, according to a news release. It will shorten Mission’s replenishment time and add flexibility in managing inventory, according to President and CEO Steve Barnard.
“The city of Laredo is strategically positioned on the border of Texas and Mexico, making it an ideal location for the distribution of Mexican avocados into the United States,” Barnard said.
The distribution center will also add to third-party services Mission provides to other businesses, with versatility to include other produce. Forty docks, ripening rooms, bagging areas and pallet cooling capacity will allow the company handle any commodity.
Ample refrigerated docks and short-term storage space can accommodate third-party logistics needs to house, cool and cross-dock fresh produce imported from Mexico.
“Mission Produce’s decision to invest in Laredo speaks volumes for city’s international trade and logistics industry, which has made Laredo the number-one port in the country,” Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz said.
A M King Construction Co. LLC is building the facility.
South Florida avocado shipments started in early June but loadings are expected to be lighter during the early part of the season, with heavier volume to come.
Shipments may be slightly down compared to last year’s big crop.
Brooks Tropicals of Homestead, FL expects the 2020-21 Florida SlimCado Tropical avocadocrop to be somewhat smaller than last year’s, with a later true start date due to extremely dry spring weather.
M&M Farms of Miami reports early season volume may be off 20 to 25 percent compared with a year ago because of hot weather earlier this year.
The shipper believes a better crop will be available towards the middle of the season in September and October. Harvest of Florida’s greenskin avocadocrop will continue through the end of the year and into the first quarter of 2021. The company typically ships through March.
New Limeco of Princeton, FL started shipping in early June and plans to continue until March or April next year. Volume is expected to be similar to a year ago.
CITRUSDAL, South Africa – Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA) announces a strong 2020 season as the first vessel of the year makes its way to the United States this week.
Easy Peeler Clementines will be the first fruit to arrive this month at the New York port. More Easy Peelers and some Navel Oranges will follow with the first conventional vessel arriving in Philadelphia towards the third week of June. During peak season, containers will also arrive in the port of Philadelphia with more-or-less the same timing as the first conventional vessel. By this time, Star Ruby and Cara-Cara Oranges will also start be available.
“This year we’re expecting some of the most top quality and excellent eating quality fruit we’ve seen in recent years,” said Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus from South Africa. “The timing of the 2020 harvest is aligning with the recent increase in demand of citrus due to COVID-19 while offering some of the best in season citrus from South Africa.”
While challenges within the international supply chain are inevitable, the group from South Africa manages supply based on demand with its impressive team of growers, importers, local and global officials as well as logistics and marketing teams.
“In response to our retail partners’ needs based on evolving consumer behaviors, our group is at the ready to be a trusted supplier of citrus starting towards end of May through October,” said Conradie.
On Wednesday, May 27th, Suhanra Conradie will be a featured speaker during PMA’s Virtual Town Hall and will provide an update on the current citrus market and upcoming summer season.
For more information and to stay up-to-date on citrus from South Africa, subscribe to the newsletter by filling outthis form or for more information, please visitwww.summercitrus.com.
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About Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA)
Summer Citrus from South Africa represents a group of South African citrus growers who consolidate their logistics, marketing and sales efforts to bring the finest citrus fruit to market during the U.S. summer season. Established in 1999 and re-branded for expanded marketing efforts in 2016, the group provides Navels, Midknights, East Peelers, Star Ruby Grapefruit and Cara-Cara oranges for the U.S. market. For more information about Summer Citrus from South Africa, visitwww.summercitrus.com and visit the brand’sFacebook,Instagram andTwitter pages.
The export and import forecast for the 2020 financial year due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has been revised downward by the USDA.
The forecast also reports China has told state-owned agricultural companies to suspend purchases and cancel orders as tensions flare with the U.S. over the situation in Hong Kong. The report by the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) and Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) said: “The COVID-19 outbreak has created a shock to world economies that will cause an unusually high level of uncertainty for the foreseeable future.”
The organizations cut the U.S. agricultural export forecast for the 2020 financial year ending Sept. 30 to $135.5 billion, down $3 billion from the February forecast. This is primarily due to reductions in bulk commodities including soybeans, cotton, corn, and wheat.
The forecast for horticultural exports is unchanged at $35.5 billion. Whole and processed tree nuts are unchanged at $9.1 billion, with most shipments destined for Europe and Asia.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are steady at US $7.1 billion on stable shipments to top markets Canada and Mexico. Processed fruits and vegetables are unchanged at$7 billion on steady shipments to Canada.
Meanwhile, U.S. agricultural imports in 2020 are projected at $130.2 billion, down $2.3 billion from the February forecast. This decline is primarily driven by expected decreases in imports of horticultural products.
The forecasts for imports of fresh fruit and vegetables are reduced by $500 million and $200 million respectively, as these perishable products are vulnerable to spoilage when there are delays in the supply chain.
It said these delays are “due to precautionary steps having been added to the production and transportation processes and reductions in the availability of labor.”
The export and import figures, if realized, would mean the U.S. would have its smallest positive trade balances in years, just $6.3 billion. By comparison, in 2014 the country exported $152.3 billion and imported$109.3 billion of agricultural products, resulting in a positive trade balance of $43.1 billion.
