Organic food sales in 2019 exceeded $50 billion, including $18 billion for organic produce.
“The category continues to be the star of the organic sector and often the starting point for organic food buying,” The Organic Trade Association wrote in a news release. “Millennials and younger generations have grown up with organic and remain the growth drivers for this category.
“Organic produce makes up almost a third of all organic food sales, and organic fruits and vegetables — including fresh, frozen, canned and dried — have now captured 15percent of the fruits and vegetables market in this country,” OTA wrote.
The report describes the $18 billion in organic produce sales for 2019 as a nearly 5 percent increase from the previous year.
The United Fresh Produce Association’s FreshFacts on Retail 2019 Year in Review, which uses retail scan data from Nielsen, lists organic sales for fresh produce specifically as $5.9 billion, up 5.5 percent from 2018. Per the report, organic fresh vegetables surpassed $3.3 billion in 2019, up 3.8 percent from 2018, and organic fresh fruit made nearly $2.2 billion, up 7.0 percent.
OTA’s recently released 2020 Organic Industry Survey indicates continued interest in organics from many shoppers.
“Our 2020 survey looks at organic sales in 2019 before the coronavirus outbreak, and it shows that consumers were increasingly seeking out the organic label to feed their families the healthiest food possible,” Laura Batcha, CEO and executive director of OTA, said in the release. “The pandemic has only increased our desire for clean, healthy food. Our normal lives have been brought to a screeching halt by the coronavirus. The commitment to the organic label has always resided at the intersection of health and safety, and we expect that commitment to strengthen as we all get through these unsettled times.”
The outlook for organic in the immediate wake of the pandemic is uncertain, according to OTA. Organic sales growth could slow because many consumers may be more price-sensitive, or growth could remain steady as consumers look for “cleaner” products in an effort to protect their health.
“It’s hard to know what’s ahead of us, but consumers will continue to trust in and depend on the organic label,” Batcha said in the release. “Organic producers and processors — indeed the entire organic supply chain — have been working around the clock through this difficult time to keep our stores filled with healthy, toxic-free and sustainably produced organic food and products. Organic is going to be there for the consumer.”
New York growers have been conservative planning for the 2020 summer shipping season in most part due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Turek Farms of King Ferry, N.Y. converted some of its vegetable acres into grain crops this year, because of all the uncertainty.
Sweet corn is Turek’s biggest crop, but also grows and ships cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, summer and winter squash, pumpkins and cauliflower.
Cabbage and summer squash loadings started in mid-July. Sweet corn shipments got underway the first few days in August, which is about 10-14 days later than usual.
Winter squash, broccoli and pumpkins are on schedule, with all pumpkins planted by the end of June.
A look westward at Torrey Farms in Elba, N.Y., reveals zucchini and yellow squash started about July 6 and cabbage and green beans July 12. Cucumbers and early transplant onions were ready about July 23.
Williams Farms of Marion, N.Y., has about 1,000 acres, and grows potatoes, onions and cabbage for the fresh market, field corn, and apples, carrots and beets for processing.
New York growers produced 14.7 percent of all the U.S. cabbage, 11.4 percent of the nation’s apples, 11.3 percent of the nation’s snap beans and 10.6 percent of the nation’s squash, according to the USDA’s annual statistical bulletin for 2017-18.
The state ranked second in highest production of cabbage, apples and snap beans.
A year later, New York growers produced 20.7 percent of all the U.S. cabbage, 13.6 percent of the nation’s apples, 12 percent of the nation’s snap beans and 10.9 percent of the nation’s squash, according to the USDA bulletin for 2018-19.
U.S. citrus imports from South America continue to account for significant volume this time of the year.
Chile has become a key supply source for lemons over the summer months, shipping 55,000 tons to the U.S. market in 2019. The Chilean Citrus Committee projects similar volumes for 2020, with 23,148 tons already shipped to the U.S. through mid July. Steady, promotable volumes will be available through September, with shipments winding down in late September.
Last summer Chile saw record exports, shipping 55,000MT to the U.S.. The Citrus Committee expects similar volumes in 2020 as the season pushes forward.
There has been particularly strong movement from the beginning of April through the first week of July. Those increases totaled from anywhere between 19 to 49 percent higher than last year.
Duda Farm Fresh Foods of Oviedo, FL launched its 18th consecutive import citrus program. Now through October, Duda Farm Fresh Foods will import citrus to the U.S. from the southern hemisphere in good volume.
Duda Farm Fresh Food’s line of imported citrus, sold under the Dandy® label, includes clementines, lemons, navels, and Cara Cara oranges.
“At Duda Farm Fresh Foods, we are constantly improving our available citrus varieties to provide quality fruit from our growers in Chile, Peru and Uruguay,” said Mark Bassetti, senior vice president of Duda Farm Fresh Foods.
About Dandy® Celery
For nearly 100 years, Duda Farm Fresh Foods has been a leading grower, shipper, processor and marketer of fresh vegetables and citrus. Known for their superior celery, over the years the company has expanded their facilities to accommodate recent developments such as celery juicing and other health and wellness trends in order to provide consumers with the freshest celery possible. With primary locations in Florida, California, Arizona, Georgia and Michigan, Duda Farm Fresh Foods carries a commitment to innovation and sustainability and believes in growing a healthy future for generations to come. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of A. Duda & Sons, Inc., a family-owned, diversified land company headquartered in Oviedo, Fla.
Chiquita Brands is stopping shipments of bananas from Honduras in favor of neighboring Guatemala.
The company has announced it will stop using Puerto Cortés, instead trucking the fruit across the border to Puerto Barrios, according to Honduran news site Tiempo. The decision was reportedly made before the Covid-19 pandemic, and Chiquita had already begun shipping Honduran bananas from the Guatemalan port. The move reportedly relates to the Guatemalan Government’s move allowing Chiquita to operate its own dock in the port for banana exports, which is more economical for the company.
Since July, Chiquita has only maintained administrative offices in Honduras in La Lima and San Pedro Sula.
A new crop of russets is now being shipped by Eagle Eye Produce of Idaho Falls, ID. These will be followed shortly by the harvesting of red and yellow potatoes.
Eagle Eye is introducing new pack styles with the new season, according to a news release, including Harvest Select half-and-half bags for russet, red and yellow potatoes. The company has a range of retail and foodservice packs under several brand names, with the option of private-label packs.
“Growing conditions for this upcoming crop have been excellent,” Coleman Oswald, director of sales, said in the release. “We are enthusiastic about what we are seeing in the fields at this point, and we are eager to get this new season underway.”
Eagle Eye Produce owns and operates warehouses and packing facilities in Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and California, according to the release.
Steady California fig shipments started in July following relative light movement in May and June.
Last year, the state shipped between 10 million to 12 million pounds of fresh figs. Overall, about 27 million pounds of fresh and dried figs were shipped. Volume for the 2020 season should be similar to last year.
All of the U.S. dried figs and 98 percent of the fresh figs are grown commercially in California.
The state has over 100 fig producers who grow on 9,300 acres, mostly in and around Madera, Fresno and Merced in Central California.
Several varieties of figs are grown in the state.
The most common are black mission, available from mid-May to November; kadota, late June to October; brown turkey, early June to November; and calimyrna, July to September.
Sierra, a newer variety with a light-colored skin and a sweet Riesling flavor, almost has replaced the calimyrna.
About 60 percent of the state’s figs are dried, with the remainder being fresh.
The Specialty Crop Co. of Madera, CA farms half of the state’s fresh and dried figs and grows just about every variety.
The company started its main crop with the brown turkey variety in mid July.
Black mission will follow, then the sierra will come on. The last variety will be a relatively new one called the tiger fig, available from mid-August until Oct. 1.
About one-third of the company’s figs are sold as fresh, the rest are dried.
Western Fresh Marketing Services Inc. of Madera grows only fresh-market figs.
The company has the southernmost field in California in the Coachella Valley, where it shipped the brown turkey variety until mid-July.
The firm returns to the Coachella Valley in September and picks until Christmas — the latest season for fresh figs.
By Jennifer Brearley Transportation Broker, ALC Richmond
In Tuesday’s article, we discussed some of the most important things to consider when selecting a carrier for sensitive, refrigerated loads. In addition to carrier vetting, it is also crucial to ensure that hot product is not being loaded into the trailer and equipment failure or human error are avoided. Below are some tips that could help you steer clear of these issues leading to rejected loads and claims. Prevent hot loads before they get on the truck.
Refer trailers are not designed to set product temperature. They are designed to maintain it.
Freshly picked loads that sit on the dock in extreme heat waiting to be loaded may be out of temperature tolerance at loading. According to the article, The Keys to Preventing Rejected Loads in Refrigerated Transportation, “as much as 32% of all cargo is loaded at the wrong temperature. Poor loading practices like these can result in loads spoiling in transit if the temperature is incorrect. No matter how chilled the reefer is, the temperature is going to rise – this causes condensation, which results in spoilage.”
Ensure the driver understands proper pulping practices. Prior to loading, and during unloading drivers should pulp and record temperatures of at least every other pallet of the product loaded on to their trailer.
Drivers should be instructed not to accept the warm products at the shipper. Once they sign for it, they are responsible for it.
Document all communication with the driver and the shipper regarding temperature discrepancies prior to loading.
In transit pulping when possible is preferred as well. Newer refrigerated trailers have advanced temperature monitoring that will notify the driver and dispatch if something is wrong which is helpful in today’s world where most loads are sealed.
Avoid equipment failure and human error.
Proper routine maintenance is a must. Loading an unknown carrier with a sensitive product is a huge risk. The vast majority of loads hauled pick up and deliver without incident. A temperature claim resulting from poorly maintained equipment will result in unrecoverable costs and damaged relationships. Ask drivers you are unfamiliar with about their maintenance routines. You will be able to tell pretty quickly how diligent they are about it. There are up to 200 possible alarm codes in newer reefer units. That can be 200 potential problems. Add to that a damaged chute, leaking trailer, or damaged seal and the risk of loss multiplies.
Incorrect unit settings can happen for a number of reasons. Human errors can result in a ruined load. -20°F instead of 20°F are vastly different and such errors result in a disaster for the cargo inside the trailer. Regular communication from pick up through delivery is crucial. It is easy to assume that the temperature today is the same as it was yesterday. This is a dangerous assumption.
Educate yourself on the products your customer ships, the methods the shipper utilizes for loading trucks, and the general function of refrigerated trailers. This is the most important part of the vetting process. In order to effectively communicate with the carrier, you have to know what you are talking about. Rejected loads are undoubtedly something we want to avoid. While these vetting processes may not prevent every rejected load, they can certainly help to lower if not eliminate the avoidable ones. (Part I was published on July 28th.)
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Jennifer Brearley began working for the Allen Lund Company in February of 2019 as a transportation broker. She joined the company with five years of domestic and international shipping experience. Brearley attended Western Governors University and received a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies.
The West, the Pacific Northwest and the Great Lakes have been selected by Kroger for its next three automated fulfillment centers.
The facility in the West will be 300,000 square feet, the facility in the Pacific Northwest will be 200,000 square feet, and the facility in the Great Lakes will be 150,000 square feet, according to a news release. The exact locations of the new centers have yet to be revealed.“Kroger and Ocado are building an e-commerce ecosystem across the U.S. that will deliver unrivaled online experiences to more customers, in more ways and in more markets,” Luke Jensen, CEO of Ocado Solutions, said in the release. “Spanning a range of automated (customer fulfillment center) sizes, these three new sites will be key parts of this growing and flexible fulfillment network. Alongside the scale and wider benefits of larger CFCs, smaller-format and mini CFCs will allow Kroger to reach more geographies with Ocado’s automation, while also catering to a wide range of options for delivery
Kroger and Ocado Solutions, which specializes in automated warehouses for online grocery order fulfillment, has an agreement to build 20 facilities with Kroger.
“Kroger is incredibly excited to construct three additional industry-leading customer fulfillment centers across the country in relationship with Ocado to bring fresh food to our customers more conveniently than ever before,” Robert Clark, Kroger’s senior vice president of supply chain, manufacturing and sourcing, said in the release. “Through our strategic partnership, we are engineering a model for these regions, leveraging advanced robotics technology and creative solutions to redefine the customer experience.”
Previously announced locations for Kroger automated fulfillment centers are:
Lettuce shipments to retailers have been relatively strong since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, while foodservice business has been down, but generally seems to be improving.
Over 1,800 truck loads of Iceberg and Romaine lettuce are being shipped weekly from the Salinas Vally.
Coastline Family Farms of Salinas, CA reports loadings destined to retailers has been booming, while restaurants and other foodservice has been hit hard. The company’s primary items are Iceberg lettuce, romaine, romaine hearts, green leaf and red leaf lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and green onions.
Misionero Vegetables of Gonzalez, CA ships Earth Greens Organics and Garden Life lines, which include leafy greens and lettuce items.
The Nunes Co. Inc. of Salinas reports good crops with iceberg lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, romaine, romaine hearts and celery.
Church Brothers of Salinas says INSV continues to be a problem in the Salinas Valley. INSV is Impatiens Necrotic Spot. The virus causes a wide variety of symptoms including wilting, stem death, stunting, yellowing, poor flowering, ‘chicken pox-like’ sunken spots on leaves, etches or ring spots on leaves, and many others. When loading, you should look for such symptoms.
The grower shipper has its Tender Leaf program which includes specialty items such as the new Tuscan Tender Leaves mix, Ready Leaf, Tuscan Baby Romaine — a hybrid leaf that makes for a creative, healthy serving vehicle — and romaine wraps.
Church Brothers’ major leafy green/lettuce items are iceberg, romaine, green leaf, and butter lettuce.
Dole Food Co. of Charlotte, N.C. markets 11 Dole-branded leafy green/lettuce products, including arugula, butter lettuce, chard, endive, green leaf lettuce, iceberg lettuce, kale, radicchio, romaine and spinach.
The company also offers 66 packaged salad varieties including its popular Chopped!, Slawesome! and Premium salad kit lines, salad mixes and slaws.
The company’s growers experienced hardly any pest or disease problems this season.
Salinas lettuce is grossing – about $6500 to Atlanta.
California almond shipments for the 2020 crop are predicted to increase 18 percent this year, totalling 3 billion pounds.
The USDA reports last year’s shipments was 2.55 billion pounds.
The Almond Board of California notes Domestic and export shipments are up so far this year and global demand stronger than ever. The average nut set per tree is 5,645, up 21 percent from the 2019 almond crop.
The Nonpareil average nut set is 5,621, up 27 percent from last year’s set. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.51 grams, down 2 percent from the 2019 average weight.
Almond production and shipments original throughout California’s Central San Joaquin Valley.
