A joint project has been announced by Guimarra Companies with Reliable Robotics Corporation of Mountain View, CA to test shipments of produce utilizing autonomous aircraft technology, developed by the latter company.
Created to help address supply chain and delivery challenges within the fresh produce industry, the test flight program had its successful inaugural flight on August 7.
Giumarria Companies, based in Los Angeles said simply calling the project groundbreaking would be an understatement. The company believes autonomous aircraft will transform the future of the fresh produce industry. It further noted the technology will evolve the way products are delivered to market by allowing the delivery of fresher, riper fruit anywhere in the country, including remote food deserts, at speeds never before seen.
An automated Cessna 172 Skyhawk, with an engineer and pilot on board for safety assurance, completed a 200-mile journey from Reedley Municipal Airport to Whiteman Airport in Los Angeles. Giumarra previously announced an air freight shipment, completed in partnership with Reliable Robotics on August 7, to deliver peaches grown in the San Joaquin Valley to Southern California grocery retail via a pilot-operated Cessna 208.
In 2019, Reliable Robotics achieved a fully autonomous flight on the Cessna 172 Skyhawk without an onboard pilot. The company has also demonstrated automated landing of the larger Cessna 208 Caravan and is in the process of certifying its automation platform for use on the Caravan, a popular cargo plane ideal for air shipments of produce.
The program provides proof automation can improve speed and quality for the entire fresh produce supply chain: Utilizing autonomous aircraft, growers and suppliers can quickly and more efficiently deliver farm fresh produce to stores in less time, resulting in less shrink.
Retailers, particularly those in smaller or more remote markets, can offer consumers fresh produce available at stores within 24-48 hours of being picked. Growers can produce varieties optimized for flavor and texture versus long-haul transportation methods.
“Giumarra is a forward-thinking company and we’re proud to partner with them to show how automated cargo flights can greatly improve fresh food distribution,” said Robert Rose, Co-founder and CEO of Reliable Robotics. “We believe autonomous aviation is going to change the way we experience food, for the better.” Reliable Robotics is currently working with the Federal Aviation Administration and in 2017 was founded by SpaceX and Tesla veterans, who have raised $33.5 million in two funding rounds.
Exports for Peruvian citrus have soared by 40 percent this season through early season over a year ago to 198,996 metric tons (MT). The increase is primarily due to mandarins
It highlights the growth of the mandarin led by the W. Murcott variety, in citrus exports from the Andean country.
The main citrus varieties exported by Peru from the beginning of 2020 to mid-August are: W. Murcott with 61,920MT (+ 57 percent), Satsuma 35,672MT (+ 32 percent), Tango 29,042MT (+ 76 percent), Minneola and / or Orlando 15,890 tons (-2 percent), Valencia 10,656 tons (+ 65 percent).
North American was the country’s leading market, to which 54 percent of exports were shipped. This year the market has received 61 percent more Peruvian citrus than last year.
It is followed by Europe with shipments of 70,251 tons (+ 24 percent) and concentrating 35 percent of the total; Asia with shipments of 13,334 tons (+ 12 percent) and acquiring 7 percent of the total; Latin America with 7,654 tons (+ 19 percent) and a 4 percent share; and Africa with 710 tons (+ 10 percent) and representing 1 percent of the total.
The main citrus exporter in Peru is the Consorcio de Productores de Frutas (CPF), which shipped 49,016 tons (+ 36 percent) from the beginning of the year until the mid August.
From now until spring hauling fresh produce can be especially frustrating. Not only is volume generally lower than spring and summer, but fighting the winter weather can be challenge.
We’re now in a transition from fall to winter shipments as many growing areas in the Western U.S. are moving to more southern locations. Here’s a look at some of the most active produce shipping areas and what to expect in the weeks ahead.
California
The Salinas Valley is shipping over 600 loads of celery weekly, but many vegetables are in a seasonal shift and now getting underway from Mexico. Salinas/Watsonville strawberries are nearly finished, while Ventura County berries are increasing in volume. The San Joaquin Valley is still loading table grapes, while the Bakersfield area has carrots.
Grapes and carrots – grossing about $8400 to New York City.
Washington
Apples are moving mainly from the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys averaging around 2500 truck load equivalents a week, with much smaller volume in pears.
Apples and pears – grossing about $6300 to Atlanta.
Washington’s Columbia Basin and the adjacent Umatilla Basin in Oregon combined are shipping nearly 900 truckloads of onions and about 375 truck loads of potatoes weekly.
Idaho, Colorado and Wisconsin
Idaho potato loadings are pretty steady from week to week averaging about 1900 truck load equivalents from the Twin Falls area and upper valley. A significant amount moves by rail.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $3400 to Chicago.
San Luis Valley potatoes are shipped entirely by truck averaging around 600 loads each week…..Central Wisconsin from the Stevens Point area is loading about 500 truckloads weekly.
Arizona
Nogales has a few items coming from Mexico in fair volume such as watermelons and cucumbers. But volume is building, along with countless other vegetables, but crossings will not hit stride until around the New Year.
Meanwhile, Western and Central Arizona is just getting underway with Iceberg, romaine and leaf lettuces, along with other items such as cauliflower and broccoli. But we’re a few weeks away from good volume.
Texas
Mexican crossings in the Lower Rio Grande Valley are increasing, but still a few weeks away from good volume. Avocados crossings are approaching 1500 truck loads a week. Items such as watermelons and tomato volume is still light, but increasing, along with dozens of other vegetables and tropicals.
Bananas remain America’s favorite fruit, but growth is slow at the top.
U.S. banana imports from August 2019 to July were 5.12 million metric tons, up less than 1% compared with the previous year.
By value, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports banana imports totaled $2.46 billion in 2019-20, up 1.2% compared with 2018-19.
The USDA per capita availability consumption of bananas rated 28.3 pounds in 2018, down slightly from 28.7 pounds in 2017 and up slightly from 28 pounds in 2015, up 10.5% from 25.6 pounds in 2010 and virtually unchanged from 28.4 pounds in 2000.
Modest growth
According to the USDA, the annual percent of volume growth of banana/plantains imports:
California is a huge nut-growing area –and Almonds are the earliest ones to shipped.
“This year’s crop is estimated to be 3 Billion pounds..”, according to Jake Samuel, CEO of Sunrise Fresh Dried Fruit, “This increase is attributed to a good bloom, favorable weather in February and a large number of younger orchards coming into full production –around 100,000 additional acres!”
Sunrise Fresh Dried Fruit, besides being a provider of premium dried fruits is also a grower of both California Almonds and Walnuts. In addition, Sunrise Fresh has developed snacks that use both dried cherries, almonds, walnuts and even pecans.
“ This year, we will harvest approximately 1 million lbs. of Almonds, followed immediately by 2 million pounds of Walnuts – and this year, it looks as though we will have some overlap –which is a challenge for the Crews.
Harvest 2020 has not been completely issue-free, as smoke from wildfires have lowered the ambient temperature, causing slower ripening. “This will not affect the Almond quality…” continued Samuel, “…but the lower orchard temperature will slow the drying process and lengthen the overall time of harvest.”
A 5 percent decline in mango volume from Ecuador as being forecast from last season.
The Mango Ecuador Foundation reports last season there were about 13 million boxes exported, but this year it is expected to be around 12.4 million boxes. Approximately 80 percent of production is exported to the U.S., with most of the rest going to Canada, Europe, Mexico and Chile.
The main factor behind this decline is the weather, especially the low temperatures in growing regions over recent months. In addition, the industry is experiencing an off-bearing year, he said.
The peak export weeks are expected to be the last half of November. Peak shipments are forecast to be flatter than normal. Although there will be a volume peak, it will be less of a peak than in previous seasons.
With Mexico finishing up earlier than normal, which created an attractive window for Brazilian mangoes, a good transition without any oversupply in the market is expected. The main varieties produced by Ecuador are Ataulfo, Tommy Atkins, Kent, and Keitt.
A Guinness World record for the Ozblu blueberry variety has again been set, breaking a record for an Ozblu berry 2 ½ years ago.
The 16.2-gram (0.57-ounce) berry breaks the previous record of 12.39 grams, according to a news release, and was grown by Dave and Leasa Mazzardis, founder of Natures Select breeding program in Wibinga, Australia.
The Mazzardis work to produce low-chill evergreen blueberry genetics that are viable for growers and offer consumers juicier, crunchier and tastier berries, according to the release.
“While larger blueberries are a result of this natural selection process, and although some markets do prefer ‘jumbo’ size berries, our focus amongst other agronomical traits remains delivering a consistent and quality eating experience to the consumer,” Dave Mazzardis said in the release.
The record was officially recorded by the Guinness organization on Sept. 20.
At 36.3 millimeters, the record-setting berry is more than twice the diameter of the average 18 millimeters of an average Ozblu.
Berry size is not the most important attribute, said Roger Horak, founder of United Exports, which licenses the Ozblu variety.
“We are intent on growing the best blueberries on the market and this means that taste, crunch and flavor are our priorities,” he said in the release. “Dave and Leasa just happen to grow record-sized.”
By Veronica Marshall Broker’s Assistant, ALC Boston
Everyday there are millions of drivers on the road in the U.S. Unfortunately many of these drivers see or experience the dangers of driving while fatigued.
We have to take responsibility for our own actions. If we feel tired but think we could go another five miles or so, don’t do it. Some people are unaware of how tired they are and begin to fall asleep behind the wheel.
Truck driving is a popular industry and can become competitive. It is important for us to remember that the safety of everyone on the road is our top priority.
Can you imagine if all our truck drivers were tired, set the wrong temperature or crashed and never made it to their destinations? Not only is being alert important for driving but you also need to be attentive to temperature controls, especially with refrigerated freight.
The produce cannot be too cold or hot during the trip. Every product, especially produce, is different when it comes to temperature requirements. The products have a limited time to stay fresh in our trucks, which is why we must be vigilant.
If deliveries are late, the integrity of the produce could begin to deteriorate. With everything going on in the world today we need our produce delivered in the shape that it was picked up in. This is why truck drivers need to be alert and attentive when transporting produce. Here are some tips on how to remain alert and attentive while driving:
Ensure you are getting adequate sleep on a daily basis.
Avoid alcohol and drugs.
Avoid taking medications that may cause drowsiness.
Be aware of warning signs to know when you should take a break. Warning signs can include frequent yawning, eyelids feeling heavy, blurred vision, inability to concentrate, feeling your head start to tilt or fall to one side.
Overall, its is important for all truck drivers to sleep well before long hauls, follow hours of service regulations, and recognize and acknowledge feelings of fatigue. If needed, find a rest stop or safe place to pull over and rest. The safety of truck drivers and other drivers on the road is a top priority.
Veronica Marshall began working for the Allen Lund Company in April of 2019, as a broker’s assistant for the Boston office. Marshall earned a degree in accounting from the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Peru’s mango export volumes are expected to be heavily affected by the ongoing drought in the country.
The Peruvian Association of Mango Producers and Exporters (APEM), reports Peru could export about 200,000 metric tons (MT) of mangoes in the 2020-21 shipping season, which will begin in November. This volume would be much lower than the record 234,000MT exported in the previous year, and cannot be completely explained by having high volume one season and lower volume the next.
There are other other variables in the forecast such as drought. The reservoirs are reaching historical minimum levels, with a lack of rain on the Peruvian coast, especially on the north coast, that could affect all the crops on the coast, including mangoes.
Mango plants needed to be constantly watered at this stage of their growth so that the fruit reaches the size the market requires. There also was a La Niña phenomenon in development, reducing rain falls.
The San Lorenzo reservoir, which is currently at half its capacity, stores the water to irrigate all the crops installed in the San Lorenzo Valley (Piura), which is the main mango producing area.
The harvest is over in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota and shippers are expected make a big rebound from a disastrous season a year ago thanks primarily to too much rain.
The Northern Plains Potato Growers Association of East Grand Forks, MN estimates 30 percent of the association members’ crops were lost, and some individual growers lost nearly their entire acreage. This year is expected to be totally different.
A & L Potato Co. of East Grand Forks expects to be at full capacity for the first time in years. Last year, the company, lost 95 percent of its red and yellow potatoes.
Nokota Packers Inc. of Buxton, N.D., started digging potatoes the week of Sept. 14, with ideal digging conditions. The company has finished it red potato harvest a couple of weeks ago.
Lone Wolf Farms of Minto, N.D., reports similar conditions and started shipping in mid-October.
Folson Farms Corp. of East Grand Forks, ships red and yellow potatoes and had some digging delays due to dry conditions.
J.G. Hall & Sons, Edinburg, N.D., along with O.C. Schulz & Sons Inc., Crystal, N.D., will started shipping potatoes out of storage from H & S FreshPak Inc., Hoople, N.D., in October. Hall & Sons is just now start to ship its own potatoes.
Growers have been shipping about 80 percent of their potatoes to retail stores and 20 percent to foodservice. Foodservice business has been hit much harder by COVID-19.
