Following a cold and rainy winter playing havoc with crop plantings and growth, spring vegetables and berries are taking off from California’s Salinas Valley with big volume in the weeks ahead.
Coastline Family Farms of Salinas, CA has wrapped up desert vegetable shipments such as broccoli, cauliflower, lettuces and herbs from Brawley, CA. Now the company is focusing on spring loadings from the Central Coast.
Salinas broccoli and cauliflower shipments are underway and moving into good volume.
Salad Savoy Corp., of Salinas, had nearly a week of planting delays in December. The company grows kale, chard and cauliflower in Yuma, AZ during the winter and in Soledad, CA in the spring.
Berry Shipments
Naturipe Berry Growers of Salinas grows mostly strawberries on 1,300 around Salinas, plus other places in California and Mexico.
Rains in California resulted in virtually nothing being harvested early in the season for strawberries, but more favorable weather has harvest and shipments back on track. Volume has been good leading up to Mother’s Day set for May 12th.
Recent seasons has seen record setting California strawberry shipments, but this year volume is expected to be down a little.
Naturipe is expecting more normal shipments this season averaging around 8,000 to 10,000 trays an acre.
Salina Valley vegetables and Watsonville berries – grossing about $4800 to Chicago.
La Cañada Flintridge Calif. –Allen Lund Company has announced the promotion to vice president of three current office managers. These promotions include Bob Rose (in photo), manager ALC San Francisco promoted to vice president produce sales, who will report to ALC President, Eddie Lund; Tracey Lewin, manager ALC Los Angeles now vice president brokerage operations and Lenny Sciarappa, manager ALC Boston also promoted to vice president brokerage operations. Lewin and Sciarappa will both report to Executive Vice President, Jim McGuire.
“The Allen Lund Company
has made changes to the organization, elevating current vice presidents to
executive vice president status,” stated Eddie Lund, president of the
company, adding “this gave us the ability to promote three very successful
managers to vice president positions. Both Tracey and Lenny will oversee
brokerage operations which will enable them to mentor offices and provide
additional leadership. Bob will work with specific ALC produce customers and
continue to focus on the development of larger accounts.”
“I look forward to working
with even more ALC people along with some of the best customers in the produce
industry,” stated Bob Rose, “In my 33 years with the company, I’ve
had the good fortune to work with and witness many market changes, technology
innovations, and forward thinkers. I thank the leadership team for giving me
this opportunity.”
“Joining the Allen Lund
Company 23 years ago was one of the best decisions in my career. After meeting
Allen, it was clear that this was a high integrity company, and that people
that worked within the organization were a true extension of his family,”
Lenny Sciarappa stated. “I am honored and thankful to the executive team
who gave me this opportunity.”
Tracey Lewin added, “The
day I landed at the Allen Lund Company over 30 years ago, was the beginning of
some of the most rewarding parts of my life, to date, both personally and
professionally. I discovered not only a second family at ALC but a sense of
purpose and drive that was consistently met with trust and opportunity.”
About Allen Lund Company:
Specializing as a national third-party transportation broker with
nationwide offices and over 500 employees, the Allen Lund Company works
with shippers and carriers across the nation to arrange dry, refrigerated
(specializing in produce), and flatbed freight; additionally, the Allen Lund
Company has a logistics and software division, ALC Logistics, and an
International Division licensed by the FMC as an OTI-NVOCC #019872NF. If
you are interested in joining the Allen Lund Company team, please click here.
Established in 1976, the Allen Lund Company was recognized by
Logistics Tech Outlook for our software division ALC Logistics as a 2018 Top 10
Freight Management Solution Providers, 2018 Food Logistics’ Top 3PL & Cold
Storage Providers list, 2017 Supply & Demand Chain Executive Top 100, 2017
Food Logistics 100+ Top Software and Tech Provider, a 2016 Top IT Provider by
Inbound Logistics, 2015 Coca-Cola Challenger Carrier of the Year, 2015 Top
Private Company in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal, 2015 Top
100+ Software and Technology Providers, 2015 Top 100 Logistics IT Provider by
Inbound Logistics, a 2014 Great Supply Chain Partner, and was placed in
Transport Topics’ “2014 Top 25 Freight Brokerage Firms.” The company
manages over 365,000 loads annually, and received the 2013 “Best in Cargo
Security Award.” In 2011, the company received the TIA 3PL Samaritan
Award, and NASTC (National Association of Small Trucking Companies) named Allen
Lund Company the 2010 Best Broker of the Year. More information is
available at www.allenlund.com.
Michigan asparagus shipments are just getting underway as Applewood Fresh Growers LLC of Sparta, MI launches its season.
The company’s grower-supplier, New Era’s American Asparagus, New Era, MI., uses a hydrocooler after harvest, and places the spears in a cooler before they are packed in a refrigerated packing room, according to a news release from Applewood Fresh.
The Michigan asparagus season lasts approximately from May 10th to June 25th.
New Era’s American Asparagus grows more than 300 acres of asparagus, and manages another 600-plus acres, according to the company’s website, for a total grower base of 1,600 acres of Michigan asparagus.
“We keep this process as short as possible to increase our customer’s shelf life and quality of the product,” Caleb Coulter, owner of New Era’s American Asparagus, said in the news release.
“We are excited to partner with New Era’s American Asparagus to bring our customers the best asparagus Michigan has to offer,” Nick Mascari, Applewood Fresh president said. “This partnership is the next iteration in our strategic plan to diversify.”
Albany, New York: Raisins are formed by the drying of grapes. Raisins are considered to be the second-most important product of grapes after wine production. When the water content of grapes is reduced to 15%, they are considered as raisins. Raisins are mostly solar/air dried in fields. Raisins are used in many regional dishes, cuisines, desserts, and bakery products. In the global raisins market, Turkey and the U.S. hold prominent market shares as far as the production of dried grapes is concerned. Turkey is the world’s largest producer of raisins, and their production was 429,000 tons in 2014, a remarkable growth of 27% since 2000. Followed by Turkey, major producers of raisins are the U.S., Iran, China, and Chile. In the global raisins market, majorly consumed raisins are natural seedless raisins, which also have many applications in food and beverages. In addition, raisins are used in the garnishing of food dishes to enhance their texture, aroma, and taste.
The health consciousness
wave has inundated the global market with nutrition-rich foods and beverages,
with an authentic brand commitment to quality, taste, and flavor. In the global
market, raisins have gained significant applications in households, food
processing industry, and baking industry, Raisins are also very popular among
food service providers, owing to their multiple health benefits and good taste,
which is helping them in attaining customer attraction. With the frequent
launching of food products, the dried fruit market has become more competitive,
and manufacturers are following the customer-centric approach to become leaders
in the raisins market. Many food manufacturers are very keen on incorporating
raisins in their products to enhance the organoleptic properties of their
products. Consumers are increasingly moving towards food products that are made
from natural ingredients without any chemical or artificial additives. There is
also a noticeable shift towards the consumption of dried fruits such as
raisins. Manufacturers are developing products with natural ingredient
compositions and reduced processing to cater to the burgeoning consumer demand
for nutritional and sustainable foods. They are also offering convenience and
on-the-go foods with a healthy twist to satiate the millennial palates of
consumers.
Many food companies are
using raisins in their products, and introducing different types of snacks and
bakery products consisting raisins; they can be used as toppings in various
bakery products, which add the essence and good flavor of the raisins to the
particular food product. Dried raisins is the most common dried fruit, and are
widely used in various bakery products to increase their flavor and nutritional
value. With the increasing flavor inspiration and demand for healthy food
ingredients in food products, food manufacturers are emphasizing on
incorporating healthy foods in their final products to cater to the demand from
their broad range of customers. In the bakery industry, raisins are used in
baked goods to enhance their texture and flavor. Incorporating raisins in
bakery food products imparts a tangy flavor to these products, and also add to
their nutritional value.
Over the last few
decades, there has been a noteworthy boom in the bakery industry, which
directly results in the increased demand for raisins among manufacturers in
this industry. Innovation in the product line and frequent product launches
have made the raisins marketplace more competitive than earlier, which compels
manufacturers incorporate natural and healthy food ingredients into their
product lines to become leaders in the market.
Growing economies have
increased the essence of customization in final products. Manufacturers are now
using mass customization as a strategy to fulfill the demand of their broad
range of customers. The same trend is also being followed in the breakfast
cereals market. According to data published in 2013, the varieties of morning
breakfast cereals have increased from 160 varieties in 1970 to 340 varieties in
2012. In order to increase the variety of breakfast cereals, manufacturers are
utilizing dried fruits as an ingredient in morning breakfast meals to fulfill
the nutritional demand. Raisins are one of the most commonly used dried fruits
that are incorporated in breakfast cereals.
Transparencey Market Research
Transparency Market Research
is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information
reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and
trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision
makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use
proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and
analyze information.
Our data repository is
continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it
always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and
analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and
secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research
material for business reports.
More favorable weather for growing crops has California fruit shipments looking better than at this time last year.
At Anthony Vineyards of Bakersfield, it should start grape shipments from the Coachella Valley within in the next week, which will continue through June. The grape loadings will be shifting to the San Joaquin Valley, where the vast amount of California grape shipments originate. Another big crop exceeding 110 million boxes is expected.
Citrus Shipments
The California citrus industry has been disappointed overall, mainly due to weather factors. However, summer citrus shipments are now looking more favorable with late season valencias replacing navel oranges. Valencias should be available until the Fourth of July.
Grower/shipper Limoneira Co. of Santa Paula, believes California lemon loadings will be off 10 to 15 percent this year as the season ends this month.
Trinity Fruit Sales Co. In of Fresno notes the California mandarin crop is one of the state’s largest. As a result, product which normally winds down in April will be shipped through May. As the company’s domestic season comes to a close it will be importing mandarins for the first time from Peru, Chile and Uruguay,
Melon Shipments
Domestic melon shipments should be plentiful this season. Five Crowns Marketing of Brawley, CA has just started loadings of Origami cantalouple and will continue in the desert through June. The company’s Mexican watermelons are now moving in good volume, and continuing through May, before shifting to Arizona.
Westside Produce of Firebaugh, CA is now shipping cantaloupes and honeydews and will continue in good volume into October.
Stone Fruit Shipments
San Joaquin Valley stone fruit shipments are underway and Trinity Fruit of Fresno anticipates one of its biggest crops. Simonia Fruit Co. of Fowler, CA is expressing optimism for its peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots.
Berry Shipments
California berry shipments were down heading into Easter, however volume is shaping up well for strawberries, blackberries and raspberries from Watsonville and Santa Maria through the summer and well into the fall.
California blueberry shipments should be good through late spring before transitioning to Oregon and British Columbia during the summer months.
Stemilt Growers LLC of Wenatchee, WA just started its California cherry harvest. Last year, California produce only 4 million boxes, but a substantial increase is expected this season.
Desert grapes from California’s Coachella Valley are expected
to hit nearly 5 million carton, up substantially from a year.
Still, Coachella grape shipments are a drop in the bucket
compared to California’s San Joaquin Valley which consistently ships over 110
million boxes, or even Mexico that loads over 20 million cartons a year.
Anthony Vineyards, headquartered in Bakersfield, but has an
operation in Coachella expresses optimism over coming shipments, with green
grapes looking especially good.
Silver Canyon Sales handles some sales for Tudor Ranch of
Mecca, CA that includes grapes, lemons and dates. The companies see higher
yields and quality this season.
Desert Fresh Inc. in Coachella is expecting good movement
kicking off the season in early May because a small shipping gap is expected
between the end of Chilean import grape season and the beginning of the Arvin
(Bakersfield) area crop. Mexican grapes, which are Coachella’s main
competition, starting a little later this season.
As usual, Coachella’s peak grape shipments will occur during
June. Loading could continue into the first half of July, depending upon when
the heat cranks up in the desert. Overall, Coachella shipments tend to last
about 8 weeks.
Although Prime Time International in Coachella doesn’t ship
grapes, it will be loading and excellent crop of watermelons, as well as
vegetables such as green, red and yellow peppers, green beans, and sweet corn.
Mexican grape shipments will account for nearly two-thirds of the product trucked to destinations across America during May and June.
Most Mexican grapes cross the border into the U.S. at Nogales, AZ and Pharr, TX.
About 22 million, 19-pound boxes are forecast to be exported, a whopping increase over the 16.37 million boxes last season.
Pandol Bros. Inc. of Delano, CA, which ships both domestic and Mexican grapes says Mexico will provide 65 percent of the table grapes shipped in the U.S. during May and June.
California and Chile each will account for 15 percent of grapes distributed in the U.S.
Mexico will ship 4 million boxes of grapes to North American customers starting the week of Memorial Day, and continuing for the next month. Overall May volume will be relative light.
Grapeman Farms of Bakersfield, CA starts shipping Mexican grapes around May 7th this year, and is reporting great quality. The company expects to ship 15 percent more grapes this season.
MAS Melons & Grapes of Rio Rico, AZ expects higher volume this season after inclement weather factors reduced last year’s shipments, which would be similar to its output in 2017.
Both Sun World International of Bakersfield, CA and The Giumarra Cos. of Los Angeles are expressing optimism for increased shipments this season with better quality.
OXFORD, NC. – Due to positive consumer reception of its DulceFina peppers, Bailey Farms, the leading shipper of specialty peppers in the country, announces expanded acreage for its premium sweet pepper line.
Since 1989, Bailey Farms Incorporated has been growing peppers. Beginning as a father and son duo, Bailey Farms now has family farms in North Carolina, Florida and Mexico offering a wide variety of chile, BellaFina and mini-sweet peppers.
A crave-able mini-pepper, the new DulceFina is sweet-tasting, crispy and deliciously snackable. Additionally, DulceFina boasts an exceptional flavor and a distinctively crunchy texture.
Rolled out in 2018, DulceFina is brightly colored, filled with flavor and is crispier and sweeter than other peppers.
“Our research and retail partner feedback has revealed a growing trend within the pepper category of consumers looking for a premium tasting snacking pepper that stands apart on the shelf” said Randy Bailey, president of Bailey Farms, Inc. “Last year was our initial rollout pilot to validate this and 2019 will be the year where we expand acreage to meet the consumer demand.”
In consumer taste tests against current yellow and orange mini sweet peppers, DulceFina was preferred 3 to 1. It’s no surprise consumers most often used the word “sweet” to describe their flavor—DulceFina peppers have an average higher Brix than retail yellow and orange mini sweets. One sweet, crispy bite will have everyone coming back for more!
DulceFina is available year-round and is packed loose and in 12 oz bags.
Mexican avocado exports to American companies will hit 78,000 tons in preparation for Cinco de Mayo, the biggest Mexican celebration in the U.S.
The event is a commemoration of Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
The Mexican avocado imports this year is a 25 percent increase over this time in 2018 when 58,730 tons of the fruit was imported. The big boost is being attributed primarily to greater promotions by retailers.
Mexican exports over 80 percent of their avocados to the U.S. each year. The Mexican state of Michoacán exported 121,0908 tons of avocado to the U.S. for the Super Bowl LIII.
In the U.S., this celebration has become a time where Mexican people celebrate their heritage. It is so big and important that it gets confused with the celebration of Mexico’s Independence.
Mexican avocado, other produce through South Texas – grossing about $4900 to New York City.
Mexican producers are growing an increasing amount of product in greenhouses each year.
In 2017, there were 9,083 acres of greenhouse production in Mexico. In 2018, there were 57,454 acres of Mexican produce grown under protected agriculture, such as shade houses.
Greenhouses can increase yields and allow growers to control variables such as heating, cooling, humidity and irrigation as well as provide a barrier against pests.
At Chamberlain Distributing Inc. in Nogales, AZ, all of its cucumbers, vine-ripe tomatoes and bell peppers are grown under protected agriculture, while 80 percent of its roma tomatoes grown under protection. Overall, it is estimate 60 percent of the firm’s volume is grown under protected agriculture. This is up from about 10 percent a decade ago.
Greenhouses and shade houses are credited with allowing shippers to provide customers with consistent, high quality perishable items in a reliable manner. It also allows seasons to start earlier and for harvests to be extended.
At Ciruli Bros. LLC in Rio Rico, AZ, its Mexican grown cucumbers, bell peppers and other vegetable are all grown under protection. It is cited as being more cost effective and growing in open fields, allowing more control, better harvests and better crops.
In the U.S. the trend toward growing more profitable cannabis has contributed to the growth of greenhouses and shade houses in Mexico, where Mexican operations are replacing or complementing greenhouse vegetables in the U.S. and Canada.
