Author Archive
BOISE, Idaho — The Big Idaho® Potato Truck is back on America’s highways promoting Idaho’s most famous agricultural product, the Idaho® potato. In just six months, the Truck will log 23,000 miles, stop in more than 60 cities both large and small and be photographed millions of times by spud lovers across the country. The Truck’s popular “A Big Helping” charitable program will continue to support local non-profits across the country.”When we launched the Truck six years ago, it was intended to be a one year campaign. Instead, the Truck became an overnight sensation – reminding consumers at every turn to look for the ‘Grown in Idaho®’ seal, which is prominently featured on the side of cab,” explained Frank Muir, President & CEO, Idaho Potato Commission (IPC). “We placed several other graphics on the Truck to communicate important key messages such as the Idaho® potato’s certification by the American Heart Association as a heart-healthy food; the Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl logo, the premier cold-weather college football bowl game; Spuddy Buddy, the Idaho® potato mascot; and important nutrition facts.”
The Tour
The Truck’s first national appearance is the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, GA. Other stops throughout the summer include the Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC., the Potato Chip Festival in Saratoga Springs, NY and the NASCAR Pocono Raceway Cup Series. To view the entire calendar visit www.bigidahopotato.com
The Truck
The Big Idaho® potato weighs more than 6 tons (the equivalent of 32,346 medium-sized Idaho® potatoes).
To date, the Truck has visited 48 states (all but Hawaii and Alaska), traveled through 5,000+ towns/cities and traveled more than 100,000 miles since its 2012 launch celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the IPC. The Big Idaho® Potato Truck was built by Chris and Sharolyn Schofield of Weiser, Idaho with the help of a few specialized contractors. The Truck took a full year to design and build.
Big volume Mexican grape shipments are underway and volume and is more than double that of California’s Coachella Valley, which also has is shipping. Meanwhile, here’s a peak at Hood River pear shipments coming this summer.
Mexican grape shipments should hit nearly 20 million cases this year, exceeding 2016 volume by 3.3 million cases.
Nearly all Mexican grapes are grown in the state of Sonora.
Export volume this season is estimated at 19.4 million cartons compared to last year’s total exports of 16.1 million.
As usual, 2017’s biggest increase will come from the red Flame variety, which is up 1.3 million cases over a year ago. Flames this year should total of 10.5 million cases from Sonora. A year ago, that production was 9.2 million, or an increase of 12.5 percent.
With 3.9 million cases, Sugraone again exceeds the green grape category with the Sugraone volume up by 22.9 percent. This is 892,000 cases more thane 2016, totaling 3 million cases. The third-largest Sonoran grape category this year are green grapes, which includes Perlettes, Primes and early green varieties. T hat total volume is expected to be up 17.2 percent this year to 3 million cases, up 515,000 from last year.
The biggest increase for 2017, is the black grape volume at 35.3 percent. Black grapes this year should total 900,000 cartons compared to 582,000 in 2016.
Red Globe production in 2017 is up 26.1 percent to 700,000 and other varieties are up 25.6 percent to 400,000 this season.
Sonoran volume was building in early May, and peaked in mid-May with heavy shipments seen forfor Memorial Day (May 29) and well into June. Mexican grape shipments continue until late June.
Oregon Pear Shipments
Oregon’s Hood River pear shipments will start later this season due to winter growing conditions. A year ago, the regional harvest and packing got under way the last week of July The 2017 season is running seven to 10 days later than normal, and three weeks behind a year ago. This means shipments of bartletts and starkrimson won’t start until later in August. Pear loading will continue through October. Green anjou, red anjou, bosc, comice, forelle and seckel are usually about three weeks behind bartletts and should start shipping by mid-September.
by Bee Sweet Citrus
FOWLER, Calif., – Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Manager Joe Berberian welcomes the start of Bee Sweet’s 2017 summer import program.
“Bee Sweet Citrus is grower, packer and shipper of premium California citrus,” said Berberian. “While our domestic season has come to an end, we can continue to provide exceptional citrus to our consumers through our summer import program.”
For over 15 years, Bee Sweet Citrus has been developing close ties with both Chilean and Peruvian citrus growers. In order to ensure that all imported products are safe, fresh and of high quality, the Bee Sweet Citrus Food Safety and Quality Control team ensure that all products are certified and audited in food safety, social accountability and sustainability.
“All imported citrus is sent straight to our facility where it’s re-graded to ensure the high quality,” said Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Representative Jason Sadoian. “Additionally, we offer our customers the ability to repack and reconfigure the fruit to any specific pack style that they may want during the program.”
Between May and October, Bee Sweet Citrus receives imported Clementines, Navel Oranges, Cara Caras, Minneolas and lemons. In addition, the Bee Sweet Citrus sales team handles all import clearance, logistics, inventory and conducts weekly market analysis calls with their international partners.
About Bee Sweet Citrus
A grower, packer and shipper of California citrus, the company was founded in 1987> It is a family owned and operated company, and ships over 20 different varieties of citrus.
Apple Shipments
Thanks to a large amount of red delicious and gala apples, May 1 fresh market apples remaining to be shipped to at 38.7 million cartons, up 16% from a year ago and 7% more than the five-year average of 36 million cartons.
The U.S. Apple Association reported fresh market holdings on May 1 were 38.7 million cartons, up from 33.4 million cartons in 2016 but down from 44.9 million cartons to 2015.
Washington fresh apples in storage stood at 35.9 million cartons, which accounted for 93% of total U.S. fresh supplies.
By The Hass Avocado Board
MISSION VIEJO, CA – Avocados are appearing more often on menus when family and friends gather for holiday celebrations. The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) recently released a study that shows the growing popularity of avocados as measured by retail sales trends during thirteen key holidays and events. Overall in 2016, shoppers purchased +10% more avocados than in the prior year, with nearly 1.9 billion avocados sold at retailers across the country. Holidays have historically been a large contributor to annual sales, and 2016 was no exception. The thirteen holiday and event weeks tracked in the study contributed 502 million avocados (27%) to annual volume, up +11% vs prior year.
Consumers are showing increasing interest in serving avocado dishes during the holidays, and retailers are reaping the benefits. Retail sales grew for twelve of thirteen holiday weeks in 2016. The Big Game continues to be a popular avocado eating occasion, turning in the top holiday volume week at +54MM units (+16% vs 2015). The Big Game was also the second highest holiday dollar week, behind Independence Day, which ranked number one in holiday dollar sales, at $44.9MM. Valentine’s Day is growing in popularity with avocado shoppers, surpassing 2015 volume by +29%.
“This study showcases the importance of these holidays and events to the avocado category,” says Emiliano Escobedo, executive director of the Hass Avocado Board. “It is our goal to provide the industry with actionable insights into the avocado category, and the Holiday and Events study is a valuable source for seasonal sales information.”
In addition to the national trends, the report also details holiday and event performance for eight geographic regions. Nearly all holidays and events performed well in each region. The Big Game was the star volume sales event in all regions, except the Northeast, where Cinco de Mayo ranked first in holiday volume.
To read about holidays and events in each region and to get more in-depth information about avocado sales for each holiday, visit hassavocadoboard.com/retail. Sign up here for the Hass Avocado Board’s Hass Insights Newsletters to receive updates on current retail avocado trends delivered straight to your inbox.
About The Hass Avocado Board
The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) was established in 2002 to promote the consumption of Hass avocados in the United States. The Hass Avocado Board is committed to increasing awareness and providing industry leaders with fresh insights into this vibrant category. A 12-member board representing domestic producers and importers of Hass avocados directs HAB’s promotion, research and information programs under supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Hass avocados are grown in California and imported into the U.S. from Mexico, Chile, Peru, Dominican Republic and New Zealand.
Jimmy DeMatteis, CTB, President & CEO of Des Moines Truck Brokers was honored by the national Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) with the 2017 Heritage Award presented at their 39th annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 18.
The Heritage Award is the most respected honor in the logistics industry. It recognizes exceptional industry leadership and long standing support of the TIA, the premier organization for third-party logistics professionals in North America and over 1,600 members.
In reflecting on his career, Jimmy wrote the following:
30 years ago, in April of 1987, I attended my very first trade association conference. We had joined the TBCA (Transportation Brokers Conference of America). I was curious to see what others in our industry were doing and determine if this would be a fit for DMTB. I spent two days at the Adams Mark Hotel in Houston, TX exchanging business cards with other brokers (Logistics and 3PL were tags we didn’t use then) and learning everything I could about how these other brokers ran
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James R. DeMatteis, (l-r) CTB accepts Heritage Award from Jason Beardall, chair,and Robert Voltman, president and CEO, Transportation Intermediaries Association.
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their businesses. I returned to our office in Norwalk, IA with a few ideas I could try and found some were good for us. I met some people at that conference that have long since become friends.
I was excited to return to the next conference the following year in Las Vegas. My Dad was very much in charge those days and he pulled rank and took along Rick Demory one of our retired colleagues who is also a very good friend and golfing buddy of my Dad. When they returned home I was excited to hear if their experience was as good as mine. Who did they meet? What were the hot topics? Anything new we needed to be on top of? To my chagrin Dad said, “Oh we went to one meeting, but the weather was great so we played golf for three straight days!” I decided then I would be attending the future conferences.
Since that meeting in Las Vegas I have only missed two conferences, one with the passing of my son in law and the other due to a severe case of pneumonia. The industry has changed drastically and so has DMTB. We worked from a Roladex and yes I do still have mine. No CTBs (Certified Truck Brokers), no computer, no website, no electronic invoices or payments, no real time electronic tracking and tracing, no portals that allow our customers to enter an order or check its status, no apps that allow our carriers to send a proof of delivery or receive a load confirmation instantly; shoot we didn’t even have cell phones… Contracts? Nope. Just our word and a promise to do things ethically with no excuses.
20 years ago the TBCA became TIA (Transportation Intermediaries Association). By then we had a computer, fax machine, email, contracts, and a documented Code of Ethics. All of this and more due to our involvement with TIA. All of these tools allowed us to grow. We built our business on relationships by exceeding expectations, paying our carriers very fast, and we still followed Dad’s lead to keep our word and make no excuses.
11 years ago I became President of DMTB and was honored to be elected to the TIA board of Directors. Permitting me to work side by side with some of Logistics best minds, many of whom have become dear friends. While serving on the board, we started the TIAPAC and I was asked to be our first PAC Chairman, a role I played for six years. This allowed us to create a voice in Washington. We started Legislative fly-ins to allow our members to walk the halls of DC and meet face to face with transportation and infrastructure members of Congress. We went from obscurity to a respected voice for transportation and supply chain. Today nearly 17,000 companies are licensed property brokers. TIA membership represents the top 10% of the industry and accounting for over 60% of our $166 Billion commerce. That’s four times the candy industry and one and a half times the beer industry!
In April of this year Ben Batten, CTB became a partner at DMTB. Ben, Jim Walstrom, CTB (our Operations Manager), and I traveled to Las Vegas for the 2017 TIA Conference. Prior to leaving we found out DMTB made Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Broker list! I attended my final board meeting at TIA and reflected on what we have accomplished as an industry. There is still more to accomplish and we have great leadership in place.
General George Patton once said, “Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way”. At DMTB our entire operations staff has earned their CTB from TIA. We currently have six new members of our team either testing or studying to test for their CTB. We have individuals that have taken leadership roles in UFPA, IMTA, and IGIA. We have a culture built on participation with each member of our team taking their turn leading our monthly company team meetings. There is a sign posted in our Ops room that says 100/0. 100% effort 0 excuses. We will celebrate our 48th year in business this June. We continue to experience double digit growth in staff, load count, revenue and more importantly benevolence. For this we are humbled and grateful to all of you.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way…No excuses.
(The son of a truck driver, I’ve known Jimmy DeMatteis for nearly 30 years. My congratulations on a well deserved award! When I think of Jimmy and DMTB, I think of honesty, integrity and someone who does things the right way. — Bill Martin)
by Chelan Fresh
Chelan, Wash. – Chelan Fresh of Chelan, Wash., already one of the largest and most versatile apple, cherry and pear suppliers in the world, is merging with Borton Fruit of Yakima, Washington. The merger brings together two industry leading companies and 5 generations of farmers. Borton Fruit’s diverse production and innovative style joins the dynamic supplier base of Gebbers Farms, Crane & Crane and Chelan Fruit Cooperative in the marketing group. The addition of Borton Fruit brings an immediate 47 percent volume expansion to Chelan Fresh’s sales and marketing portfolio, including organic offerings, early-season cherries, innovative plantings and new proprietary apple varieties.
The partners in Chelan Fresh boast new and efficient production facilities and orchards. Together, the group has recently invested more than $235 million dollars in state-of-the-art packing facilities and technologies, new storage facilities, and production efficiencies. These investments, combined with more than 13,000 acres planted in young, high-density orchards with modern trellis systems, will drive innovation on a large scale. In addition, the group will become an industry leading producer of Honeycrisp apples.
Chelan Fresh will market the majority of the new fruit under the globally-recognized Trout label, which has long been associated with high-quality apples, pears and cherries. This marks the label’s largest brand expansion since the Trout label was first marketed in 1923. Chelan Fresh also markets the Cascade Crest Organic and the Chelan Fresh labels.
The combined marketing company will retain the Chelan Fresh name and operate from both Chelan and Yakima, Washington. Although the venture will officially begin on September 1, the sales and marketing teams are already working closely to bring immediate benefits to buyers.
Imported Koru Apples
Container shipments of New Zealand-grown Koru apples have started arriving at U.S. ports.
The Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative expects to receive 115,000-130,000 40-pound bushel equivalents of Koru throughout the import season — an increase of about 50% from 2016 — with shipments arriving weekly through the month of June.
The first shipments have already sold, but retailers can inquire with Glenmont, N.Y.-based New York Apple Sales, Wenatchee, Wash.-based Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers and Yakima, Wash.-based Borton Fruit about future shipments. Those suppliers comprise the cooperative.
There’s been some adjustments in the shipping forecast for some Georgia produce shipments since a March freeze. Also, Port Manatee in Florida is looking to expand business with South America.
An update on Georgia produce shipments has been made after the USDA declare nearly two dozen counties a disaster as a result of a March freeze.
Georgia blueberry shipments will be 75 percent less this season. Loading are taking place and will continue through June. Georgia had originally estimated a total of 80 million pounds for the fresh and processed markets. 2016 blueberry shipments totaled a little over 70 million pounds, with about 45 million pounds going to the fresh market. Georgia’s record year of blueberry production was 96 million pounds total volume in 2014, 58 million pounds of which went to the fresh market.
Peaches
Georgia peach shipments are starting any day now. While the original estimate for losses from the freeze were in the 40 to 50 percent range, the losses have now improved. Recently some growers was talking peach shipments should be down about 25 to 35 percent. Last year, Georgia shipped 43,000 tons of peaches.
Vidalia Onions
There is good supply, quality and steady shipments of Vidalia onions occurring, averaging about 500 truck loads per week. Vidalia onions were the only Georgia produce crop not affected by that March freeze.
Vidalia onions – grossing about $2000 to Chicago.
Vegetable shipments
Georgia green bean shipments have been underway since the first week of May and should continue through mid-July. Sweet corn is just getting underway, but good volume won’t occur until June and continuing through July Fourth. Georgia squash and zucchini loadings started a couple weeks early this season and will run through June.
Port Manatee
Port Manatee, Palmetto, Fla., is planning to expand commercial ties with Colombia and Chile.
“We see significant opportunity for growing trade between our nation and Port Manatee,” Juan C. Barrera, general deputy director for the United States of ProColombia USA, said in a news release. “Both import and export opportunities exist for businesses in Manatee County and beyond, and we look forward to exploring these mutually beneficial possibilities,”
“We are enthused about fortifying the business relationship between Manatee County interests, including our port, and our counterparts in Colombia and are committed to growing such ties,” Carlos Buqueras, executive director of Port Manatee, said in the release.
“We have the largest dock side refrigerated facility in Florida,” Buqueras said. “We have such capacity, it’s a shame not to utilize it.”
A deal with Chile is still in negotiations, Buqueras said.
“It’ll start with test shipments,” he said. “That will give us the opportunity to make corrections or enhance speed to market,”
Produce currently represents 30% of Port Manatee’s import business, according to Buqueras. He said it is too early in negotiations to say how much produce imports would increase because of expanded ties.
By Potandon Produce LLC
Idaho Falls, ID – Potandon Produce LLC recently updated their Green Giant™ Vidalia Onion carton for the 2017 shipping season. Last season, Potandon updated their consumer bag, which had a visible impact on the retail shipping community, prompting the update to the master case.
Potandon’s main shipping point for Green Giant™ Vidalia onions is Ray Farms, owned and managed by Danny Ray, second-generation grower and previous winner of the Vidalia Grower of the Year (2012.) In a recent phone conversation, Danny Ray was very positive about the 2017 crop from an agronomic standpoint. His fields were healthy with 100% stand through the growing season and quality looked excellent. This season, in addition to the legendary Vidalia sweet onion, customers can load sweet red onions at Ray Farms.
Ralph Schwartz, Vice President of Sales for Potandon, also weighed in on this year’s crop. “We’re seeing yields increased over last season in the 15%-20% range and there are plenty of onions available from the Vidalia region. The increased yields are the direct result of an exceptionally mild growing season, with no major weather events”. Over the next three weeks, Potandon will ship onions from the field, afterwards moving to shipping from storage right around June 1st. The current crop profile is 30% Mediums and 70% Jumbo and larger sizes. Demand is expected to increase significantly over the next few weeks as Memorial Day nears.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Vidalia onion trademark. Vidalia onions are the state of Georgia’s number one vegetable commodity and are a major contributor to the state’s economy.
About Potandon Produce L.L.C.
Headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Potandon Produce is the largest marketer of fresh potatoes and one of the largest marketers of fresh onions in North America. Potandon holds the exclusive licensing rights to the Green Giant™ brand for fresh potatoes and onions in North America, and is able to provide year-round supply to any size retail, foodservice, or wholesale customer. Potandon is also an industry leader in food safety and in bringing innovative products to the market. Visit www.potandon.com to learn more about Potandon, and go to Potandon’s consumer website, www.klondikebrands.com, to learn more about the company’s distinctive potato varieties. To learn more about the Green Giant® Fresh program visit www.greengiantfresh.com.
Green Giant, the Green Giant character, Sprout, and associated words and designs are trademarks of B&G Foods North America, Inc.-used under license. ©2016 B&G Foods North America, Inc.
By Larry Oscar
“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”, John 8:32. Amazing how words spoke and written over two thousand years ago apply today.
Maybe that’s because evil really hasn’t changed very much over the entire existence of mankind. Evil is ever present and it feeds on the poor and uneducated of mankind. One would think with all the instant communications we have today getting to know the truth would be easier than ever.
Well, that simply is not the case. The rise of “fake news” is now all the rage and it may be harder than ever to learn the truth. One thing for sure is that the deceivers are out in full force. Deceivers take advantage of the poor and uneducated among us. They count on people simply believing what they say and not making an effort to examine the truth. Those of us that are aware of evil in the world and watch out for the signs of evil can detect a deceiver more easily.
When politicians rely on one of the seven deadly sins such as envy to sway your opinion it can be a sure bet you have found one. For the past decade we have listened to politicians play the envy card. They have created a war on success. Being successful is now considered by many to be a bad thing. I guess these stupid folks think we should all live in poverty and starve to death. And to make matters worse the deceiver politicians have convinced many people violent demonstrations against long held American values are now the thing to do.
Let’s examine how their latest round of deception is working. The new tax cut plans issued by the President are a fine example of liberal deception. As soon as the tax cuts were announced the leader of deception Senator Chuck Schumer was touting the cuts as a giveaway to the rich and hurting the poor. What a load of deceit.
For one thing most people don’t know that businesses don’t pay taxes. That’s right. News flash. Businesses don’t pay taxes. All you have to do to find out about this is to read the consolidated balance sheet of any corporation. You will magically find that the taxes paid by the corporation come form their revenues. Yes folks guess what? You pay Wal Mart’s taxes when you buy a product
at Wal Mart. Business taxes are rolled up into the price you pay for their products.
So if we lower the business taxes from 35% to 15% we are in effect lowering the price we pay for the products that we all buy. And that includes a gallon of milk the poor purchase at Wal Mart. Business taxes are a hidden tax, and evil politicians like Chuck Schumer are counting on the poor and uneducated not knowing the truth about the hidden taxes they themselves prey on the poor with.
After all, these deceiver politicians need tax money so they can promise government handouts for votes. It is illegal to buy your vote with currency, but it is not illegal to buy your vote with a handout paid for with your own tax money.
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world”, Second John 7. Liberalism is evil. It hides behind a deception cloaked in righteousness, but the truth is you cannot claim to be righteous while promoting jealousy and envy. Goodness does not come from the promotion of evil. Our founding fathers new full well the evil in government taxation.
Remember the tea party in Boston harbor? All we have accomplished in the ever increasing taxation of the American people is a bloated government full of deceivers who have put our country in a financial peril of debt. Whatever these evil politicians have taken, or will take, from us it will never be enough. They will violently protest and demand more. It is time to call them out for who and what they are. Enough is enough.
Please take the time to study what the deceivers are doing with your money. It just may change your life for the better. And just maybe your grandchildren will thank you someday.
(Larry Oscar is a graduate from the University of Tulsa and holds a degree in electrical engineering. He is retired and lives with his wife on a lake in Oklahoma where he brews his own beer, sails, and is a member of numerous clubs and organizations.)
Heavy California strawberry shipments should continue for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, Michigan asparagus was clobbered by a hard freeze, but good volume is returning soon.
While fresh strawberry shipments from Oxnard are over with only berries for processing being picked, fresh loadings have moved northward to Santa Maria and Watsonville. A significant increase in volume took place last week and will the trend will continue. Watsonville will experience its heaviest strawberry shipments the last week of May through the first week of June. Santa Maria strawberry shipments are currently peaking.
Additionally, raspberry loadings are now coming out of Watsonville and are expected to have significant volume increases during the next weeks, which will continue through Summer and into the Fall.
Grower report that the four year drought in California resulted in a build up of salt in the soil, but this season’s heavy rains leeched most of that salt out of the ground. This is making for prime growing conditions, and crop quality.
California strawberry shipments have been heavy since right after Easter with good loading opportunities expected for upcoming holidays in the weeks ahead from the Northern districts.
Santa Maria strawberriy and vegetable shipments – grossing about $4300 to Chicago.
Salinas Valley strawberry and vegetable shipments – grossing about $6600 to New York City.
Michigan Asparagus Shipments
Asparagus is one of the most unusual produce crops I am familiar with. I was once visiting an asparagus farm in California and the owner told me that under excellent conditions the vegetable grew so fast at night you could literally hear it growing. It can grow as much as four to six inches a day!
I was reminded of this with the May 8th hard freeze in Michigan that severely hit the asparagus crop (see photo). Despite temperatures plunging to 23 degrees F. for two to three hours, resulting in a loss of an estimated 5 to 8 percent of the total crop, the season is far from lost. Decent volume will be returning this week, with peak volume shipments out of Michigan coming next week.
Typically, the heaviest asparagus shipments occur early in the season. That won’t happen in Michigan this year. Even though all the asparagus that was above ground froze, it will quickly rebound.
Michigan apple shipments – grossing about $2700 to Atlanta.
BOISE, Idaho — The Big Idaho® Potato Truck is back on America’s highways promoting Idaho’s most famous agricultural product, the Idaho® potato. In just six months, the Truck will log 23,000 miles, stop in more than 60 cities both large and small and be photographed millions of times by spud lovers across the country. The Truck’s popular “A Big Helping” charitable program will continue to support local non-profits across the country.”When we launched the Truck six years ago, it was intended to be a one year campaign. Instead, the Truck became an overnight sensation – reminding consumers at every turn to look for the ‘Grown in Idaho®’ seal, which is prominently featured on the side of cab,” explained Frank Muir, President & CEO, Idaho Potato Commission (IPC). “We placed several other graphics on the Truck to communicate important key messages such as the Idaho® potato’s certification by the American Heart Association as a heart-healthy food; the Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl logo, the premier cold-weather college football bowl game; Spuddy Buddy, the Idaho® potato mascot; and important nutrition facts.”
The Tour
The Truck’s first national appearance is the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, GA. Other stops throughout the summer include the Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC., the Potato Chip Festival in Saratoga Springs, NY and the NASCAR Pocono Raceway Cup Series. To view the entire calendar visit www.bigidahopotato.com
The Truck
The Big Idaho® potato weighs more than 6 tons (the equivalent of 32,346 medium-sized Idaho® potatoes).
To date, the Truck has visited 48 states (all but Hawaii and Alaska), traveled through 5,000+ towns/cities and traveled more than 100,000 miles since its 2012 launch celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the IPC. The Big Idaho® Potato Truck was built by Chris and Sharolyn Schofield of Weiser, Idaho with the help of a few specialized contractors. The Truck took a full year to design and build.
Big volume Mexican grape shipments are underway and volume and is more than double that of California’s Coachella Valley, which also has is shipping. Meanwhile, here’s a peak at Hood River pear shipments coming this summer.
Mexican grape shipments should hit nearly 20 million cases this year, exceeding 2016 volume by 3.3 million cases.
Nearly all Mexican grapes are grown in the state of Sonora.
Export volume this season is estimated at 19.4 million cartons compared to last year’s total exports of 16.1 million.
As usual, 2017’s biggest increase will come from the red Flame variety, which is up 1.3 million cases over a year ago. Flames this year should total of 10.5 million cases from Sonora. A year ago, that production was 9.2 million, or an increase of 12.5 percent.
With 3.9 million cases, Sugraone again exceeds the green grape category with the Sugraone volume up by 22.9 percent. This is 892,000 cases more thane 2016, totaling 3 million cases. The third-largest Sonoran grape category this year are green grapes, which includes Perlettes, Primes and early green varieties. T hat total volume is expected to be up 17.2 percent this year to 3 million cases, up 515,000 from last year.
The biggest increase for 2017, is the black grape volume at 35.3 percent. Black grapes this year should total 900,000 cartons compared to 582,000 in 2016.
Red Globe production in 2017 is up 26.1 percent to 700,000 and other varieties are up 25.6 percent to 400,000 this season.
Sonoran volume was building in early May, and peaked in mid-May with heavy shipments seen forfor Memorial Day (May 29) and well into June. Mexican grape shipments continue until late June.
Oregon Pear Shipments
Oregon’s Hood River pear shipments will start later this season due to winter growing conditions. A year ago, the regional harvest and packing got under way the last week of July The 2017 season is running seven to 10 days later than normal, and three weeks behind a year ago. This means shipments of bartletts and starkrimson won’t start until later in August. Pear loading will continue through October. Green anjou, red anjou, bosc, comice, forelle and seckel are usually about three weeks behind bartletts and should start shipping by mid-September.
by Bee Sweet Citrus
FOWLER, Calif., – Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Manager Joe Berberian welcomes the start of Bee Sweet’s 2017 summer import program.
“Bee Sweet Citrus is grower, packer and shipper of premium California citrus,” said Berberian. “While our domestic season has come to an end, we can continue to provide exceptional citrus to our consumers through our summer import program.”
For over 15 years, Bee Sweet Citrus has been developing close ties with both Chilean and Peruvian citrus growers. In order to ensure that all imported products are safe, fresh and of high quality, the Bee Sweet Citrus Food Safety and Quality Control team ensure that all products are certified and audited in food safety, social accountability and sustainability.
“All imported citrus is sent straight to our facility where it’s re-graded to ensure the high quality,” said Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Representative Jason Sadoian. “Additionally, we offer our customers the ability to repack and reconfigure the fruit to any specific pack style that they may want during the program.”
Between May and October, Bee Sweet Citrus receives imported Clementines, Navel Oranges, Cara Caras, Minneolas and lemons. In addition, the Bee Sweet Citrus sales team handles all import clearance, logistics, inventory and conducts weekly market analysis calls with their international partners.
About Bee Sweet Citrus
A grower, packer and shipper of California citrus, the company was founded in 1987> It is a family owned and operated company, and ships over 20 different varieties of citrus.
Apple Shipments
Thanks to a large amount of red delicious and gala apples, May 1 fresh market apples remaining to be shipped to at 38.7 million cartons, up 16% from a year ago and 7% more than the five-year average of 36 million cartons.
The U.S. Apple Association reported fresh market holdings on May 1 were 38.7 million cartons, up from 33.4 million cartons in 2016 but down from 44.9 million cartons to 2015.
Washington fresh apples in storage stood at 35.9 million cartons, which accounted for 93% of total U.S. fresh supplies.
By The Hass Avocado Board
MISSION VIEJO, CA – Avocados are appearing more often on menus when family and friends gather for holiday celebrations. The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) recently released a study that shows the growing popularity of avocados as measured by retail sales trends during thirteen key holidays and events. Overall in 2016, shoppers purchased +10% more avocados than in the prior year, with nearly 1.9 billion avocados sold at retailers across the country. Holidays have historically been a large contributor to annual sales, and 2016 was no exception. The thirteen holiday and event weeks tracked in the study contributed 502 million avocados (27%) to annual volume, up +11% vs prior year.
Consumers are showing increasing interest in serving avocado dishes during the holidays, and retailers are reaping the benefits. Retail sales grew for twelve of thirteen holiday weeks in 2016. The Big Game continues to be a popular avocado eating occasion, turning in the top holiday volume week at +54MM units (+16% vs 2015). The Big Game was also the second highest holiday dollar week, behind Independence Day, which ranked number one in holiday dollar sales, at $44.9MM. Valentine’s Day is growing in popularity with avocado shoppers, surpassing 2015 volume by +29%.
“This study showcases the importance of these holidays and events to the avocado category,” says Emiliano Escobedo, executive director of the Hass Avocado Board. “It is our goal to provide the industry with actionable insights into the avocado category, and the Holiday and Events study is a valuable source for seasonal sales information.”
In addition to the national trends, the report also details holiday and event performance for eight geographic regions. Nearly all holidays and events performed well in each region. The Big Game was the star volume sales event in all regions, except the Northeast, where Cinco de Mayo ranked first in holiday volume.
To read about holidays and events in each region and to get more in-depth information about avocado sales for each holiday, visit hassavocadoboard.com/retail. Sign up here for the Hass Avocado Board’s Hass Insights Newsletters to receive updates on current retail avocado trends delivered straight to your inbox.
About The Hass Avocado Board
The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) was established in 2002 to promote the consumption of Hass avocados in the United States. The Hass Avocado Board is committed to increasing awareness and providing industry leaders with fresh insights into this vibrant category. A 12-member board representing domestic producers and importers of Hass avocados directs HAB’s promotion, research and information programs under supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Hass avocados are grown in California and imported into the U.S. from Mexico, Chile, Peru, Dominican Republic and New Zealand.
Jimmy DeMatteis, CTB, President & CEO of Des Moines Truck Brokers was honored by the national Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) with the 2017 Heritage Award presented at their 39th annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 18.
The Heritage Award is the most respected honor in the logistics industry. It recognizes exceptional industry leadership and long standing support of the TIA, the premier organization for third-party logistics professionals in North America and over 1,600 members.
In reflecting on his career, Jimmy wrote the following:
30 years ago, in April of 1987, I attended my very first trade association conference. We had joined the TBCA (Transportation Brokers Conference of America). I was curious to see what others in our industry were doing and determine if this would be a fit for DMTB. I spent two days at the Adams Mark Hotel in Houston, TX exchanging business cards with other brokers (Logistics and 3PL were tags we didn’t use then) and learning everything I could about how these other brokers ran
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James R. DeMatteis, (l-r) CTB accepts Heritage Award from Jason Beardall, chair,and Robert Voltman, president and CEO, Transportation Intermediaries Association.
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their businesses. I returned to our office in Norwalk, IA with a few ideas I could try and found some were good for us. I met some people at that conference that have long since become friends.
I was excited to return to the next conference the following year in Las Vegas. My Dad was very much in charge those days and he pulled rank and took along Rick Demory one of our retired colleagues who is also a very good friend and golfing buddy of my Dad. When they returned home I was excited to hear if their experience was as good as mine. Who did they meet? What were the hot topics? Anything new we needed to be on top of? To my chagrin Dad said, “Oh we went to one meeting, but the weather was great so we played golf for three straight days!” I decided then I would be attending the future conferences.
Since that meeting in Las Vegas I have only missed two conferences, one with the passing of my son in law and the other due to a severe case of pneumonia. The industry has changed drastically and so has DMTB. We worked from a Roladex and yes I do still have mine. No CTBs (Certified Truck Brokers), no computer, no website, no electronic invoices or payments, no real time electronic tracking and tracing, no portals that allow our customers to enter an order or check its status, no apps that allow our carriers to send a proof of delivery or receive a load confirmation instantly; shoot we didn’t even have cell phones… Contracts? Nope. Just our word and a promise to do things ethically with no excuses.
20 years ago the TBCA became TIA (Transportation Intermediaries Association). By then we had a computer, fax machine, email, contracts, and a documented Code of Ethics. All of this and more due to our involvement with TIA. All of these tools allowed us to grow. We built our business on relationships by exceeding expectations, paying our carriers very fast, and we still followed Dad’s lead to keep our word and make no excuses.
11 years ago I became President of DMTB and was honored to be elected to the TIA board of Directors. Permitting me to work side by side with some of Logistics best minds, many of whom have become dear friends. While serving on the board, we started the TIAPAC and I was asked to be our first PAC Chairman, a role I played for six years. This allowed us to create a voice in Washington. We started Legislative fly-ins to allow our members to walk the halls of DC and meet face to face with transportation and infrastructure members of Congress. We went from obscurity to a respected voice for transportation and supply chain. Today nearly 17,000 companies are licensed property brokers. TIA membership represents the top 10% of the industry and accounting for over 60% of our $166 Billion commerce. That’s four times the candy industry and one and a half times the beer industry!
In April of this year Ben Batten, CTB became a partner at DMTB. Ben, Jim Walstrom, CTB (our Operations Manager), and I traveled to Las Vegas for the 2017 TIA Conference. Prior to leaving we found out DMTB made Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Broker list! I attended my final board meeting at TIA and reflected on what we have accomplished as an industry. There is still more to accomplish and we have great leadership in place.
General George Patton once said, “Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way”. At DMTB our entire operations staff has earned their CTB from TIA. We currently have six new members of our team either testing or studying to test for their CTB. We have individuals that have taken leadership roles in UFPA, IMTA, and IGIA. We have a culture built on participation with each member of our team taking their turn leading our monthly company team meetings. There is a sign posted in our Ops room that says 100/0. 100% effort 0 excuses. We will celebrate our 48th year in business this June. We continue to experience double digit growth in staff, load count, revenue and more importantly benevolence. For this we are humbled and grateful to all of you.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way…No excuses.
(The son of a truck driver, I’ve known Jimmy DeMatteis for nearly 30 years. My congratulations on a well deserved award! When I think of Jimmy and DMTB, I think of honesty, integrity and someone who does things the right way. — Bill Martin)
by Chelan Fresh
Chelan, Wash. – Chelan Fresh of Chelan, Wash., already one of the largest and most versatile apple, cherry and pear suppliers in the world, is merging with Borton Fruit of Yakima, Washington. The merger brings together two industry leading companies and 5 generations of farmers. Borton Fruit’s diverse production and innovative style joins the dynamic supplier base of Gebbers Farms, Crane & Crane and Chelan Fruit Cooperative in the marketing group. The addition of Borton Fruit brings an immediate 47 percent volume expansion to Chelan Fresh’s sales and marketing portfolio, including organic offerings, early-season cherries, innovative plantings and new proprietary apple varieties.
The partners in Chelan Fresh boast new and efficient production facilities and orchards. Together, the group has recently invested more than $235 million dollars in state-of-the-art packing facilities and technologies, new storage facilities, and production efficiencies. These investments, combined with more than 13,000 acres planted in young, high-density orchards with modern trellis systems, will drive innovation on a large scale. In addition, the group will become an industry leading producer of Honeycrisp apples.
Chelan Fresh will market the majority of the new fruit under the globally-recognized Trout label, which has long been associated with high-quality apples, pears and cherries. This marks the label’s largest brand expansion since the Trout label was first marketed in 1923. Chelan Fresh also markets the Cascade Crest Organic and the Chelan Fresh labels.
The combined marketing company will retain the Chelan Fresh name and operate from both Chelan and Yakima, Washington. Although the venture will officially begin on September 1, the sales and marketing teams are already working closely to bring immediate benefits to buyers.
Imported Koru Apples
Container shipments of New Zealand-grown Koru apples have started arriving at U.S. ports.
The Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative expects to receive 115,000-130,000 40-pound bushel equivalents of Koru throughout the import season — an increase of about 50% from 2016 — with shipments arriving weekly through the month of June.
The first shipments have already sold, but retailers can inquire with Glenmont, N.Y.-based New York Apple Sales, Wenatchee, Wash.-based Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers and Yakima, Wash.-based Borton Fruit about future shipments. Those suppliers comprise the cooperative.
There’s been some adjustments in the shipping forecast for some Georgia produce shipments since a March freeze. Also, Port Manatee in Florida is looking to expand business with South America.
An update on Georgia produce shipments has been made after the USDA declare nearly two dozen counties a disaster as a result of a March freeze.
Georgia blueberry shipments will be 75 percent less this season. Loading are taking place and will continue through June. Georgia had originally estimated a total of 80 million pounds for the fresh and processed markets. 2016 blueberry shipments totaled a little over 70 million pounds, with about 45 million pounds going to the fresh market. Georgia’s record year of blueberry production was 96 million pounds total volume in 2014, 58 million pounds of which went to the fresh market.
Peaches
Georgia peach shipments are starting any day now. While the original estimate for losses from the freeze were in the 40 to 50 percent range, the losses have now improved. Recently some growers was talking peach shipments should be down about 25 to 35 percent. Last year, Georgia shipped 43,000 tons of peaches.
Vidalia Onions
There is good supply, quality and steady shipments of Vidalia onions occurring, averaging about 500 truck loads per week. Vidalia onions were the only Georgia produce crop not affected by that March freeze.
Vidalia onions – grossing about $2000 to Chicago.
Vegetable shipments
Georgia green bean shipments have been underway since the first week of May and should continue through mid-July. Sweet corn is just getting underway, but good volume won’t occur until June and continuing through July Fourth. Georgia squash and zucchini loadings started a couple weeks early this season and will run through June.
Port Manatee
Port Manatee, Palmetto, Fla., is planning to expand commercial ties with Colombia and Chile.
“We see significant opportunity for growing trade between our nation and Port Manatee,” Juan C. Barrera, general deputy director for the United States of ProColombia USA, said in a news release. “Both import and export opportunities exist for businesses in Manatee County and beyond, and we look forward to exploring these mutually beneficial possibilities,”
“We are enthused about fortifying the business relationship between Manatee County interests, including our port, and our counterparts in Colombia and are committed to growing such ties,” Carlos Buqueras, executive director of Port Manatee, said in the release.
“We have the largest dock side refrigerated facility in Florida,” Buqueras said. “We have such capacity, it’s a shame not to utilize it.”
A deal with Chile is still in negotiations, Buqueras said.
“It’ll start with test shipments,” he said. “That will give us the opportunity to make corrections or enhance speed to market,”
Produce currently represents 30% of Port Manatee’s import business, according to Buqueras. He said it is too early in negotiations to say how much produce imports would increase because of expanded ties.
By Potandon Produce LLC
Idaho Falls, ID – Potandon Produce LLC recently updated their Green Giant™ Vidalia Onion carton for the 2017 shipping season. Last season, Potandon updated their consumer bag, which had a visible impact on the retail shipping community, prompting the update to the master case.
Potandon’s main shipping point for Green Giant™ Vidalia onions is Ray Farms, owned and managed by Danny Ray, second-generation grower and previous winner of the Vidalia Grower of the Year (2012.) In a recent phone conversation, Danny Ray was very positive about the 2017 crop from an agronomic standpoint. His fields were healthy with 100% stand through the growing season and quality looked excellent. This season, in addition to the legendary Vidalia sweet onion, customers can load sweet red onions at Ray Farms.
Ralph Schwartz, Vice President of Sales for Potandon, also weighed in on this year’s crop. “We’re seeing yields increased over last season in the 15%-20% range and there are plenty of onions available from the Vidalia region. The increased yields are the direct result of an exceptionally mild growing season, with no major weather events”. Over the next three weeks, Potandon will ship onions from the field, afterwards moving to shipping from storage right around June 1st. The current crop profile is 30% Mediums and 70% Jumbo and larger sizes. Demand is expected to increase significantly over the next few weeks as Memorial Day nears.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Vidalia onion trademark. Vidalia onions are the state of Georgia’s number one vegetable commodity and are a major contributor to the state’s economy.
About Potandon Produce L.L.C.
Headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Potandon Produce is the largest marketer of fresh potatoes and one of the largest marketers of fresh onions in North America. Potandon holds the exclusive licensing rights to the Green Giant™ brand for fresh potatoes and onions in North America, and is able to provide year-round supply to any size retail, foodservice, or wholesale customer. Potandon is also an industry leader in food safety and in bringing innovative products to the market. Visit www.potandon.com to learn more about Potandon, and go to Potandon’s consumer website, www.klondikebrands.com, to learn more about the company’s distinctive potato varieties. To learn more about the Green Giant® Fresh program visit www.greengiantfresh.com.
Green Giant, the Green Giant character, Sprout, and associated words and designs are trademarks of B&G Foods North America, Inc.-used under license. ©2016 B&G Foods North America, Inc.
By Larry Oscar
“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”, John 8:32. Amazing how words spoke and written over two thousand years ago apply today.
Maybe that’s because evil really hasn’t changed very much over the entire existence of mankind. Evil is ever present and it feeds on the poor and uneducated of mankind. One would think with all the instant communications we have today getting to know the truth would be easier than ever.
Well, that simply is not the case. The rise of “fake news” is now all the rage and it may be harder than ever to learn the truth. One thing for sure is that the deceivers are out in full force. Deceivers take advantage of the poor and uneducated among us. They count on people simply believing what they say and not making an effort to examine the truth. Those of us that are aware of evil in the world and watch out for the signs of evil can detect a deceiver more easily.
When politicians rely on one of the seven deadly sins such as envy to sway your opinion it can be a sure bet you have found one. For the past decade we have listened to politicians play the envy card. They have created a war on success. Being successful is now considered by many to be a bad thing. I guess these stupid folks think we should all live in poverty and starve to death. And to make matters worse the deceiver politicians have convinced many people violent demonstrations against long held American values are now the thing to do.
Let’s examine how their latest round of deception is working. The new tax cut plans issued by the President are a fine example of liberal deception. As soon as the tax cuts were announced the leader of deception Senator Chuck Schumer was touting the cuts as a giveaway to the rich and hurting the poor. What a load of deceit.
For one thing most people don’t know that businesses don’t pay taxes. That’s right. News flash. Businesses don’t pay taxes. All you have to do to find out about this is to read the consolidated balance sheet of any corporation. You will magically find that the taxes paid by the corporation come form their revenues. Yes folks guess what? You pay Wal Mart’s taxes when you buy a product
at Wal Mart. Business taxes are rolled up into the price you pay for their products.
So if we lower the business taxes from 35% to 15% we are in effect lowering the price we pay for the products that we all buy. And that includes a gallon of milk the poor purchase at Wal Mart. Business taxes are a hidden tax, and evil politicians like Chuck Schumer are counting on the poor and uneducated not knowing the truth about the hidden taxes they themselves prey on the poor with.
After all, these deceiver politicians need tax money so they can promise government handouts for votes. It is illegal to buy your vote with currency, but it is not illegal to buy your vote with a handout paid for with your own tax money.
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world”, Second John 7. Liberalism is evil. It hides behind a deception cloaked in righteousness, but the truth is you cannot claim to be righteous while promoting jealousy and envy. Goodness does not come from the promotion of evil. Our founding fathers new full well the evil in government taxation.
Remember the tea party in Boston harbor? All we have accomplished in the ever increasing taxation of the American people is a bloated government full of deceivers who have put our country in a financial peril of debt. Whatever these evil politicians have taken, or will take, from us it will never be enough. They will violently protest and demand more. It is time to call them out for who and what they are. Enough is enough.
Please take the time to study what the deceivers are doing with your money. It just may change your life for the better. And just maybe your grandchildren will thank you someday.
(Larry Oscar is a graduate from the University of Tulsa and holds a degree in electrical engineering. He is retired and lives with his wife on a lake in Oklahoma where he brews his own beer, sails, and is a member of numerous clubs and organizations.)
Heavy California strawberry shipments should continue for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, Michigan asparagus was clobbered by a hard freeze, but good volume is returning soon.
While fresh strawberry shipments from Oxnard are over with only berries for processing being picked, fresh loadings have moved northward to Santa Maria and Watsonville. A significant increase in volume took place last week and will the trend will continue. Watsonville will experience its heaviest strawberry shipments the last week of May through the first week of June. Santa Maria strawberry shipments are currently peaking.
Additionally, raspberry loadings are now coming out of Watsonville and are expected to have significant volume increases during the next weeks, which will continue through Summer and into the Fall.
Grower report that the four year drought in California resulted in a build up of salt in the soil, but this season’s heavy rains leeched most of that salt out of the ground. This is making for prime growing conditions, and crop quality.
California strawberry shipments have been heavy since right after Easter with good loading opportunities expected for upcoming holidays in the weeks ahead from the Northern districts.
Santa Maria strawberriy and vegetable shipments – grossing about $4300 to Chicago.
Salinas Valley strawberry and vegetable shipments – grossing about $6600 to New York City.
Michigan Asparagus Shipments
Asparagus is one of the most unusual produce crops I am familiar with. I was once visiting an asparagus farm in California and the owner told me that under excellent conditions the vegetable grew so fast at night you could literally hear it growing. It can grow as much as four to six inches a day!
I was reminded of this with the May 8th hard freeze in Michigan that severely hit the asparagus crop (see photo). Despite temperatures plunging to 23 degrees F. for two to three hours, resulting in a loss of an estimated 5 to 8 percent of the total crop, the season is far from lost. Decent volume will be returning this week, with peak volume shipments out of Michigan coming next week.
Typically, the heaviest asparagus shipments occur early in the season. That won’t happen in Michigan this year. Even though all the asparagus that was above ground froze, it will quickly rebound.
Michigan apple shipments – grossing about $2700 to Atlanta.