BEAVERTON, Ore.–Demand for trucks on the spot market rose in December, suggesting solid retail and grocery sales ahead of the holidays, said DAT Freight & Analytics, which operates the DAT One freight marketplace and DAT iQ data analytics service.
The van and refrigerated Truckload Volume Index (TVI) increased modestly compared to November:
Van TVI: 260, up 2.4%
Refrigerated TVI: 220, up 3%
Flatbed TVI: 237, down 5%
Year over year, the van and reefer TVI were up 12% and 20%, respectively, and the flatbed TVI was 7% higher.
“December freight volumes were strong despite the quirks of the calendar,” said Ken Adamo, DAT Chief of Analytics, noting that Christmas fell on a Wednesday and there were only three non-holiday weeks between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. “The combination of seasonal volumes, fewer shipping days, and truckers taking time off for the holidays led to higher spot prices compared to November. Net fuel, the van rate was the highest monthly average since January 2023.”
Truckload rates shifted higher
The national average spot rates increased for all three equipment types:
Spot van: $2.11 per mile ($1.74 net fuel), up 9 cents compared to November
Spot reefer: $2.47 ($2.06 net fuel), up 2 cents
Spot flatbed: $2.39 ($1.94 net fuel), up 2 cents
National average contract van and flatbed rates edged higher last month:
Contract van rate: $2.42 per mile, up 2 cents
Contract reefer rate: $2.74 a mile, unchanged
Contract flatbed rate: $3.06 a mile, up 3 cents
“The difference between van and reefer spot and contract rates narrowed for the fourth straight month and was the smallest since March 2022, when spot rates entered a severe deflationary period,” Adamo said. “When the gap between spot and long-term contract rates is trending lower, it’s a signal that capacity is tightening and negotiating power is shifting toward truckload carriers.”
About the DAT Truckload Volume Index
The DAT Truckload Volume Index reflects the change in the number of loads with a pickup date during that month. A baseline of 100 equals the number of loads moved in January 2015, as recorded in DAT RateView, a truckload pricing database and analysis tool with rates paid on an average of 3 million monthly loads.
DAT benchmark spot rates are derived from invoice data for hauls of 250 miles or more with a pickup date during the month reported. Linehaul rates subtract an amount equal to an average fuel surcharge.
About DAT Freight & Analytics
DAT Freight & Analytics operates both the largest truckload freight marketplace and truckload freight data analytics service in North America. Shippers, transportation brokers, carriers, news organizations, and industry analysts rely on DAT for market trends and data insights based on more than 400 million annual freight matches, and a database of $150 billion in annual freight market transactions.
Founded in 1978, DAT is a business unit of Roper Technologies (Nasdaq: ROP), a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000. DAT is headquartered in Beaverton, Ore. Visit dat.com for more information
During the second week of January, avocado shipments to different markets showed important variations not only in volume but also in prices, according to Avobook’s week 3 report for 2025.
In the U.S. market, shipments were 1,607, which is 76% higher than in the previous week. This is mainly due to the increase in avocado shipments from Mexico.
After doubling shipments in time for the Super Bowl, the United States accounted for 94% of this volume.
Colombia reduced its share to 4%. Prices continued to rise, with significant increases in medium and small sizes, reaching historic values for January.
In Europe, the 600 containers received represented a 17% increase over the previous week. In the second week of January, Israel led with 30% of the market, followed by Colombia and Spain with 20% each.
In China, shipments from Chile continued their decline, reflecting a weekly decrease in the volume exported. Meanwhile, Colombia experienced a 72% increase in exports, reaching 174 shipments, mainly to Europe and the United States.
Since its founding in 1986, Agristo has been supplying customers across Europe andbeyond. The company continues to expand within Europe to meet growing demand in the European markets, while also strengthening its European export position through investments in Belgium (Wielsbeke) and France (Escaudoeuvres). The European market for frozen potato products has seen steady growth, but this increase requires a significant boost in production capacity. Given the large consumption volumes in Europe, even small growth percentages in the market demand substantial expansion in production capacities.
The same growth trends are evident in the North American markets of frozen potato products, where demand is rising faster than in Europe, and consumption volumes are higher. In selecting production locations, Agristo has consistently focused on two key criteria: availability of raw materials (potatoes) and sufficient market scale for its private label segment. Seeing strong potential in both potato supply and market growth in North America, Agristo is now ready to invest in its first production facility in the United States, focusing on high-quality products, innovation, and state-of-the-art technology.
After years of extensive potato trials in various U.S. states, Agristo has identified Grand Forks, North Dakota, as the ideal location for its new facility. The company is confident in the region’s high-quality potato farming and is collaborating with local authorities to prepare an industrial plot and enhance logistical connections to reach Agristo’s U.S.-based clients. Once negotiations are finalized, Agristo plans to invest up to $450 million in a cutting-edge production facility. This investment is expected to create 300 to 350 direct jobs in North Dakota and will stimulate indirect investments in agriculture and supply chain, boosting local and regional economies.
Agristo wishes to express its sincere thanks to all those involved in this project, and the company is confident that this investment will positively impact local communities throughout the Midwest, while at the same time strengthening Agristo’s North American and global position.
Negotiations for the plant’s construction are ongoing, with the aim to finalize agreements by mid-2025.
Significant developments have taken place from leading exporting regions, particularly Ecuador and Peru, as the mango export market transitions into 2025. The National Mango Board’s latest crop report gives important insights into what is taking place.
Ecuador has concluded its mango season, a key component of its agricultural export industry. In contrast, Peru is actively engaged in the harvest and packing phases of its mango production.
Currently, the predominant mango variety being exported to the U.S. market is Kent, accounting for 99% of total mango shipments. Though the Kent variety dominates, there is also a limited supply of other types, including Tommy Atkins, Ataulfo, and Keitt.
This focus on the Kent variety highlights consumer preferences and the market’s responsiveness to demand.
For the week ending December 28, 2024, approximately 1,095,200 boxes of mangos were shipped:
Ecuador contributed around 34,200 boxes, resulting in a total seasonal volume of 14,702,282 boxes.
Peru shipped approximately 1,061,000 boxes, bringing its seasonal total to 11,153,072 boxes.
Looking ahead, projections for mango shipments from week 1 (January 4, 2025) to week 5 (February 1, 2025) indicate a significant anticipated increase of about 59% year-over-year. This growth is driven by expected arrivals from mid January though mid February.
Specifically, Ecuador’s agrarian output for 2024 is forecast to increase by approximately 127% compared to 2023, and by 7% relative to 2022. Meanwhile, Peru’s 2024 mango season is projected to rise by around 209% over 2023, though it is expected to be 16% lower than in 2022.
The recent devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area had not impacted the Oxnard growing region until yesterday January 22. The Hughes Fire, located approximately 50 miles from Oxnard in Castaic, kicked up at approximately 10:30 am on January 22, according to a press release by Markhon of Salinas, CA.
Strong winds pushed smoke and ash into the Oxnard region by early afternoon, significantly reducing air quality. Conditions have cleared up, and there is currently no detectable smoke in the region, but some growers have canceled harvests due to these Santa Ana winds and the potential for smoke/ash to become a concern again.
Oxnard crops that have been impacted and/or are subject to falling ash:
Celery
Cilantro
Kale
Parsley
Strawberries
As of this morning, the Hughes fire has burned over 10,000 acres and is only 14% contained. Markon inspectors are actively monitoring the situation and will continue to update with any new developments.
While fresh and processing apple in storage remaining to be shipped are off from the 2023-24 season, the figure of 151 million bushels is still 11% higher than the five-year average for January.
In a recent apple holdings report, Chris Gerlach, vice president of insights and analytics for the U.S. Apple Association said the total number of apples in storage as of Jan. 1, 2025, is 151 million bushels. That figure, Gerlach reported, is 4% lower than the previous year’s total of 156 million bushels but is still 11% higher than the five-year average for January.
Fresh apples totaled 107.8 million bushels, which is 4% less than inventories for last January but still 13% higher than the five-year January average.
USApple reports processing apples totaled 43 million bushels, which is down 2% from last year and 7% lower than the five-year average for January.
Washington state has 123,157,143 bushels of apples total in holdings. While that figure is up from the five-year average of 107,765,37, the state moved 2,782,174 bushels of apples in regular storage and 9,990,207 bushels of apples in controlled-atmosphere storage from December to January.
New York has 10,815,139 apples in holding, slightly up from the five-year average of 10,153,947. Between December and January, the state moved 417,080 apples in regular storage and 310,055 apples in controlled-atmosphere storage
Michigan has 9,217,433 bushels of apples in holding, which is slightly above the five-year average of 8,098,760. The state moved 167,885 bushels of apples in regular storage and 804,682 bushels of apples in controlled-atmosphere storage.
The report shows that gala tops the varieties in storage, with 18,672,260 bushels of apples total in holdings. Red delicious is second with 16,045,947 bushels in holdings, follwed by granny smith with 13,089,656 bushels in holdings.
Rounding out the top seven are Cosmic Crisp with 11,447,619 bushels in holding, fuji with 11,094,929 bushels in holding, Pink Lady/cripps pink with 9,679,341 bushels in holding and Honeycrisp with 9,432,737 bushels in holding.
The first of four break bulk cargo ships from Peru’s Port of Paracas arrived in Philadelphia at the Port of Gloucester in New Jersey January 16. In a historic milestone, the boat transported shipments of Peruvian table grapes.
The accomplishment came due to SENASA of Peru and the USDA which is a breakthrough, resulting the Peruvian industry have a new alternative to ship fruit in containers.
SENSA pointed out this had never been done from Peru. It came about due to a long term coordinated effort with SENASA, PROVID (the table grape association), the shipping companies, and the ports to achieve this operation in break bulk ships.
This type of transportation is more efficient, when considering the global container shortage, where a demand that exceeds the inventory creates substantial congestion in container terminals.
Break bulk ships arrive at private terminals which are less congested, thus avoiding the congestion at other terminals. This results in fruit being unloaded faster.
A second ship is on its way from Peru to the U.S., a third is about to sail, and the fourth is ready to leave the week of January 20-24.
The first vessel arrived in Philadelphia carrying 3,876 pallets and 76 containers of grapes.
The second, third, and fourth vessels will deliver 4,500 pallets and 100 containers each. Break bulkHe favors Peruvian grape exports to the United States, especially during the winter in the northern hemisphere, when operations become longer and congestion at ports builds up.
This permits ships to bypass the line and avoid the 7 to 10-day congestion delays in the ports today.
Peruvian table grapes are among the fastest-growing industries, increasing from 400,000 metric tons (MT) in 2019-2020 to 622,000 MT in 2022-2023.
In this context, market research firm Fluctuante recently published a report on agro-exports, analyzing the current state of the industry in Peru.
The report indicates that in the 2023-2024 campaign, table grape exports slightly declined to 525,000 MT due to heavy rains and high temperatures affecting fruit quality. Despite the downturn, Peru remains the world’s largest exporter of table grapes.
Meanwhile, China significantly increased its exports, reaching 490,000 MT in 2023-2024. South Africa maintained a stable share, while Chile’s exports decreased from 496,000 MT to 480,000 MT over the same period.
The Peruvian Table Grape Producers Association (Provid) projects record exports for the 2024-2025 season, estimating more than 78 million boxes of 8.2 kg each, equivalent to approximately 640,000 MT.
Provid highlighted that this volume represents a 25.4% increase over the previous season, driven by production recovery along the north coast and the introduction of new, higher-yield varieties.
Peruvian grapes are primarily destined for the United States, Europe, Latin America, and China.
David Sandoval, general manager of Fluctuante, pointed out that Peru has transitioned from an emerging exporter to a global leader in the table grape market.
He explained that the industry’s growth began in the 1980s with initial Red Globe exports, but “it was in the last decade that the country solidified its position through crop expansion, varietal innovation, and strategic trade agreements.”
Sandoval noted that Peru achieved a milestone during the 2022-2023 season by exporting 585,000 tons, accounting for 16% of the global market and surpassing long-standing competitors.
“For the 2024-2025 campaign, we expect a new record of 640,000 tons, driven by production recovery and the introduction of seedless varieties like Sweet Globe and Autumn Crisp,” he said.
Peruvian table grape exports reach more than 50 international markets. The primary destinations include the United States, Europe, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Latin American markets, such as Mexico and Brazil, also play a significant role. In Asia, China is a growing market for Peruvian grapes.
Sandoval remarked that in December 2024, the industry successfully exported grapes cold-treated in shipholds for the first time in South America.
“The shipment, consisting of 4,000 pallets—nearly 200 containers—departed from the Port of Paracas bound for the United States. This logistical innovation aims to improve efficiency and quality in the supply chain,” he said.
Alico, Inc., of Fort Myers, FL has announced a strategic transformation to become a diversified land company with each of its properties now expected to create profitable agricultural revenue opportunities that are not citrus-related until the Highest and Best Use (“HBU”) for these acres can be realized, according to a press release.
Alico owns approximately 53,371 acres of land across eight counties in Florida, as well as approximately 48,700 acres of oil, gas and mineral rights in the state. Alico Citrus, which holds the Company’s citrus production operations, has faced increasing financial challenges from citrus greening disease and environmental factors for many seasons.
The Company has decided to not spend further capital on its citrus operations after the current crop is harvested in 2025. It will focus its resources on creating new opportunities for profitable growth while also acting prudently on behalf of shareholders.
Alico expects to maintain its commitment to the Florida agriculture industry through diversified farming operations on nearly all its land holdings following this citrus production transition. Alico also expects to entitle certain parcels of its land for commercial and residential development. The Company believes these strategic decisions improve its ability to provide investors with a greater return on capital that includes the benefits and stability of a conventional agriculture investment, with the optionality that comes with active land management.
“For over a century, Alico has been proud to be one of Florida’s leading citrus producers and a dedicated steward of its agricultural land, but we must now reluctantly adapt to changing environmental and economic realities. Our citrus production has declined approximately 73% over the last ten years, despite significant investments in land, trees and citrus disease treatments, and the current harvest will likely be lower in volume than the previous season.
“The impact of Hurricanes Irma in 2017, Ian in 2022 and Milton in 2024 on our trees, already weakened from years of citrus greening disease, has led Alico to conclude that growing citrus is no longer economically viable for us in Florida,” said John Kiernan, Alico’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
“This difficult decision is expected to provide Alico with a more stable future while maintaining our deep roots in agriculture by meaningfully reducing our working capital requirements for annual citrus production, reducing financial volatility and allowing the Company to focus on profitable non-citrus agricultural opportunities and entitlement work to achieve the HBU for all properties in our real estate portfolio.”
Alico plans to wind down Alico Citrus’ primary operations, which will include reducing most of its citrus production workforce effective immediately. The Company expects that approximately 3,460 citrus acres will be managed by third-party caretakers for another season through 2026.
Mr. Kiernan continued, “This strategic transformation is expected to provide Alico with a more stable future while maintaining our deep roots in agriculture. We recognize the personal impact this decision has on our valued employees and the Company is supporting them through this transition. Through these operational changes, Alico will remain a responsible corporate citizen and steward of both our land and communities, just as we have done for more than 125 years. For decades, while maintaining its agriculture leadership, Alico has opportunistically sold land in Florida for responsible purposes that benefit both the local communities and our shareholders, such as the approximately 40,000 acres of the Alico Ranch that were sold to the State of Florida since 2017 and the 760 acres of land donated in 1992 to establish Florida Gulf Coast University. We’ve explored all available options to restore our citrus operations to profitability, but the long term production trend and the cost needed to combat citrus greening disease no longer supports our expectations for a recovery. Alico thanks our entire Alico Citrus team for their unwavering dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Despite our collective efforts, Alico believes that this strategic decision is not only correct but essential. We remain committed to creating opportunities that will maintain our legacy of stewardship while also acting prudently on behalf of our shareholders, including working with local municipalities to develop plans that will benefit their Florida communities.”
Under this new strategy, Alico:
Expects to recognize positive cash flow for the remainder of the current fiscal year once land sales that have already been negotiated close, severance and restructuring costs are realized, and harvesting activities conclude.
Anticipates that cash reserves at the end of the 2025 fiscal year will be sufficient to meet future operating expenses for at least two additional years without any additional land sales being required.
Estimates that approximately 75% of its current land holdings are likely to remain agriculturally focused for the foreseeable future.
Expects that approximately 25% of its land holdings have near- and long-term potential for commercial and residential development, with approximately 10% of its acres targeted for development within the next five years.
Management estimates that the value of our current landholdings could be worth approximately $650 million to $750 million, with 75% of these acres valued for agriculture usage.
About Alico Alico, Inc. currently operates two divisions: Alico Citrus, currently one of the nation’s largest citrus producers, and Land Management and Other Operations, which include land leasing and related support operations. While Alico Citrus will cease operations after the 2024/2025 harvest due to environmental and financial challenges, Alico remains committed to Florida’s agriculture industry, and will focus on its long-term diversified land usage and real estate development strategy. Learn more about Alico (Nasdaq: “ALCO”) at www.alicoinc.com.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, two of the world’s leading shipping companies, announced recently they will not be returning to the Red Sea immediately following the ceasefire announcement between Hamas and Israel.
Hapag-Lloyd reports the company is closely monitoring the conflict in the Red Sea and wants to resume operations as soon as they are safe.
Maersk reports it is still too early to speculate about timing.
Hapag-Lloyd had already give notice in June a ceasefire would not mean an immediate resumption of passage through the Suez Canal, as attacks from Yemen-based Houthi militants, could still be possible.
Rearranging the schedule takes four and six weeks.
Disruptions in the Middle East have caused shipping companies to divert their vessels towards longer routes. These companies often force their container ships around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, pushing freight rates higher and disrupting global ocean shipping.
