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Here’s a quick look at Western produce shipments, starting in British Columbia, extending down to California and wrapping up in West Texas and New Mexico.
While Washington state cherry shipments are in a seasonal decline, loadings from British Columbia are picking up.
British Columbia certainly is no Washington state when it comes to volume, but the Canadians do provide decent loadings for about a four to six-week period every year. Shipments from an area ranging from Kelowna to Creston are underway with about 100,000 cases already shipped. There is an estimated 500,000 additional boxes to be shipped. The season is expected to last through the third week of August.
California Produce Shipments
Stone fruit shipments continue steady from week to week out of the San Joaquin Valley, led by peaches….From the valley’s Westside district various melons are being loaded, led by cantaloupe, averaging about a 1000 loads per week….Moving to the Watsonville district movement continues steady with strawberries, averaging around 875 truck loads weekly. California produce rates continue to decline, some by as much 15 percent in the past week.
Watsonville berries and Salinas Valley vegetables – grossing about $6500 to New York City.
San Joaquin Valley stone fruit, melons and other items – grossing about $4300 Dallas.
Texas/New Mexico Produce Shipments
In West Texas, the Hereford High Plains area has light, but increasing volume with potatoes, with some shippers also in Eastern New Mexico. Southern New Mexico also continues to ship onions.
Most late summer and fall New York vegetable shipments are going to have substantially less volume, and loading opportunities are going to be a mess, because of unpredictable shipping gapes. Blame it all on Mother Nature and torrential rains in recent weeks.
The heavy rains resulted in flooded fields, disrupted plantings and are expected to produce supply gaps for many vegetables, including sweet corn, green beans, cabbage, squash, cucumbers, onions and potatoes.
For example the down pours delayed the planting of cabbage for 21 days at Hansen Farms LLC, Stanley, N.Y.. which will result in shipping gaps through out the season. Yields will be down, which means volume for shipping will be lower – probably significantly.
While there is little talk of quality issues at this point, and most talk is playing up less volume without quality being affected – don’t necessarily count on it. This should be a concern if you are hauling New York product and just be extra observant what is being put in the truck.
While no percentage losses for volume are available yet on most items, one number being thrown around is both New York potato and onion shipments are expected to be off by 30 percent.
Western New York vegetable shipments – grossing about $1200 to Boston.
A presentation on consumer trends by the Nielsen Perishables Group seems to contradict the widely held belief hat fresh produce consumption is just not increasing on a per-capita basis. The talk was presented recently at the annual United Fresh Produce Association Convention in Chicago.
Jonna Parker, a director for that organization, said over the past five years, dollar volume of fresh produce has increased about 25 percent while unit volume is up 10-13 percent.
Of the top 10 growth items in the grocery sector, six are fresh produce, including two value-added products, specialty fruit, avocados, pineapples and cooking greens, with that last category topped by kale, she said.
Statistics show that annually the average American household spends $338 on fresh produce, compared to only $299 on meat, which comes in second place in dollar sales.
While most customers claim produce is the most important department in picking a store, there are still many trips to the market that do not include a produce purchase. More than half of the times that a person goes to the supermarket they do not put a produce item in their basket.
Currently, the average shopper makes about 40 to 50 supermarket trips per year. Parker said higher-income households (in excess of an annual income of $100,000) are far more prolific produce buyers. They make 51 trips per year and purchase about $454 worth of fresh produce. The least affluent consumers make about 40 trips per year to the supermarket and spend just $221 on produce.
Bananas claim over 50 percent of the volume of fresh fruit imports,” said the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. Excluding bananas, fresh fruit imports rose from 12 percent of domestic consumption.
Bananas are sold the year around in the this country and rank number one in U.S. per capita fresh fruit consumption, followed by apples and oranges. To meet U.S. demand, bananas are imported, primarily from Guatemala, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia and Honduras. Excluding bananas, fruit imports increased an average 7 percent annually over the past two decades.
U.S. fruit imports rose during the last three decades, partly owing to the growing minority ethnic populations in the United States and to an increased demand for new products. Not only have imports expanded for commodities already produced domestically and created competition for U.S. producers, but imports have also increased for nontraditional fruits, especially many tropical fruits.
- Eat at least one banana a day, they are said to contain everything a human needs and they contain all the 8 amino-acids our body cannot produce itself.
- Bananas are a good source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C;
- Red bananas are often dried and converted to meal which is used in many ways;
- Red bananas contain more vitamin C as yellow bananas (the redder a fruit, the more nutritious elements it contains).
Consumption of grapes helped glucose metabolism in an animal model of prediabetes, according to preliminary findings in a study by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
The results were presented at the Experimental Biology annual meeting in Boston earlier this spring, according to a news release.
Lead investigator Andrew Neilson and his fellow researchers looked at the impact of grapes on blood glucose when the activities of glucagon-like-peptide, or GLP-1, a hormone type known to improve insulin response after meals, is impaired.
A reduced insulin response is partly responsible for high blood sugar levels. Prediabetes is defined as impaired glucose tolerance and other symptoms approaching clinically diagnosed diabetes. An estimated 35% of U.S. adults are prediabetic.
In the study, the group that was administered freeze-dried whole grape powder was able to keep blood glucose levels stable, and counteract the negative effect of the inhibited activities of GLP-1. In the group that did not receive grapes, blood glucose levels rose when GLP-1 activities were impaired.
“These findings demonstrate the potential for grapes to help prevent impaired glucose tolerance in a prediabetic population,” Neilson said in the release. “This could have important implications for public health, in which the incidence of prediabetes is on the rise, and more study in this area is needed.”
Here’s a round up of some of the major Western produce shipping areas including volume and freight rates.
California Produce Shipments
Big volume produce shipments continue out of both the Salinas Valley and the San Joaquin Valley of California. We’re certainly not witnessing any record rates this year. This is believed due to several factors. For example the California drought most certainly has resulted in fewer plantings of fruits and vegetables. Taking up at least some of the lack is Mexico that continues to increase production. Mexico not only has cheaper labor and production costs, but fewer restrictive rules and regulations than California.
However, rates were generally stagnant or in many cases lower this week as there was a surplus in refrigerated equipment. Rates on Salinas veggies plunged by double digits in some cases, as vegetable shipments have been less than spectacular this season – in part due to numerous shipping gaps.
Salinas Valley Produce Shipments
The Watsonville district continues shipping strawberries and other berries in good volume. Strawberries are averaging about 950 truck loads per week. Meanwhile, dozens of vegetables continue out of Salinas ranging from various types to lettuces to broccoli, and cauliflower, among others.
Salinas Valley produce – grossing about $6800 to New York City.
San Joaquin Valley Produce Shipments
From the Westside District, cantaloupe, honeydew and other melons are increasing in volume….Watermelons are averaging about 300 truck loads weekly and increasing in volume….There also is good volume with stone fruit ranging from peaches to plums and nectarines….Another big crop of grapes continues to be shipped…Pear and apple shipments are just starting from Northern California and the San Joaquin Valley. Between 1.5 and 1.7 million boxes of apples are forecast and should continue until mid October.
Central San Joaquin Valley fruits and vegetables – grossing about $6100 to Atlanta.
Southern California Produce Shipments
Avocado loadings continue in good volume, although it is declining as we head into the latter part of the shipping season….Tomatoes are big item. Vine ripe tomato loadings continue from the Oceanside and San Diego areas, including produce crossing the border into San Diego from Baja California.
Southern California citrus, avocados and tomatoes – grossing about $4800 to Houston.
Here are some produce loading opportunities from the Central and Mountain time zones.
Texas Produce Shipments
Most Texas produce loadings are coming out of the Lower Rio Valley, much of which is Mexican product crossing the border at McAllen. Watermelon shipments continue from South Texas, and starting to come out Central areas of the Lone Star State. Caution is advised as there are reports of variable quality….Meanwhile tropical fruit items ranging from mangos to avocados among other are crossing the border from Mexico. There’s also light volume with a number Mexican vegetables ranging from broccoli to various kinds of peppers.
South Texas/Mexican produce – grossing about $2700 to Chicago.
Colorado Produce Shipments
The old crop of russet potatoes continues to be shipped out the San Luis Valley, as growers and shippers gear up for the new season harvest. Colorado is still shipping nearly 600 truck loads of potatoes weekly….Western slope Colorado peach and pear loadings have just started within the past week, continuing through most of September….Sweet corn shipments get underway this week and lasting through September….Cantaloupe shipments start about August 1st.
Colorado potatoes – grossing about $2300 to Chicago.
Wisconsin Produce Shipments
Shipments of russet potatoes from Central Wisconsin remain light to moderate as the season gradually winds down. Diggings of the new crop of red potatoes is just getting underway.
Here we go with a round up a several produce shipping areas in the Eastern time zone.
New Jersey Produce Shipments
There is currently good volume with peach shipments, although peak loadings will occur as we approach late July. New Jersey peach shipments will continue through most of September. Jersey blueberries are still moving, but are in a seasonal decline. Steady shipments of vegetables continue from the southern part of the state.
Georgia Produce Shipments
Perhaps heaviest volumes is with Georgia watermelon shipments, averaging around 350 truck loads per week. Sweet corn volume is rapidly declining, as are Vidalia onions….Fort Valley peach shipments are moderate. There is higher volume with peaches and watermelons coming out of South Carolina.
South Carolina peaches – grossing about $1000 to Atlanta.
North Carolina Produce Shipments
Steady volume (about 250 loads weekly) continues from the Eastern part of the state with sweet potatoes, which are grossing about $2300 to Chicago.
Ohio Produce Shipments
Sweet corn shipments join a host of other mixed vegetables originating out of the Willard, OH area. Volume currently is very light, but should hit stride with the arrival of August.
Michigan Produce Shipments
Blueberry shipments are increasing. Movement started nearly three weeks ago and approximately 90 million pounds of blueberries are forecast to be shipped in 2015 for fresh and frozen markets….Concerning Michigan apples, shipments are expected to be similar to last season’s good volume….Mixed vegetables continue to move in good volume.
New York Produce Shipments
Orange County onion loadings will get underway in August. Meanwhile, Hudson Valley apple volume is light as the shipping season comes to an end. Otherwise, there are a number of vegetable shipments scattered throughout the state, particularly in the central and western areas.
Here’s more proof that some basic, fundamental changes are taking place in California regarding produce trucking. The two most cited reasons are excessive regulations – and the drought. This deals with the drought.
Many folks recalled not too many years ago when it was a rite of spring that truck rates would go crazy in California. In particular, the rates would be lowest the first part of the week, but might increase 30 to 50 percent by the end of the week as truck supplies were depleted. While some of the reasoning can be placed on long term negotiated rates (for a year, or at least a shipping season), it is suspected that less production or volume is coming out of California while Mexico and Canada are increasing. (Also, see the interview with Kenny Lund of the Allen Lund Company, from June 4th).
More California crop acreage is being removed from production in 2015, according to the California Department of Agriculture.
At 564,000 acres, fallowing will be up 33% over last year as growers cope with the state’s fourth year of drought, according to the preliminary estimate by University of California, Davis researchers.
They compared this year’s drought effects to years of average water supply. Surface water is even scarcer in 2015 than last year.
Growers are forecast to pump 6.2 million acre-feet of groundwater to partially make up for an 8.7 million shortage. The added pumping is projected to cost $595 million. When pumping costs, job losses, livestock, dairy and other factors are added in, the state’s agricultural industry anticipates drought losses of $2.7 billion.
The estimate pegs direct job losses at 8,560 full- and part-time jobs. But when spillover effects and increased pumping costs are factored in, total losses are closer to 18,600. The loss in irrigated crop revenues statewide for vegetables is estimated at $107.7 million, and for orchard and vines at $82.8 million.
If the California drought continues, the consequences for produce trucking, consumers and agriculture will become even more severe.
Salinas Valley vegetables – grossing about $5100 to Chicago.
San Joaquin Valley fruit and vegetables – grossing about $7800 to New York City.
By Tozer Seeds America
Santa Maria, Calif. – Tozer Seeds America (Tozer), pioneer of the first F1 parsnip hybrid developed over three decades ago, gears up for the North American parsnip growing season as renewed consumer demand increases in 2015 for this sweet and succulent root vegetable.
Tozer is seeing new demand for parsnips in northern U.S. and southern Canada with Food Network claiming parsnips to be a new superfood on the rise and USA Today calling parsnips the next big thing in healthy snacking. Consumers are enjoying parsnips for their versatility – parsnips can be used in a variety of dishes or even be turned into wine – and health benefits – parsnip chips are a popular alternative to potato chips and were also featured on the hit TV series “The Biggest Loser.” Typically a winter vegetable, parsnips are now available year-round in supermarkets and farmers markets throughout the U.S.
“The introduction of F1 parsnip hybrids moved the market toward a washable, firm and narrower parsnip,” said Kraig Kuykendall, sales manager of Tozer Seeds America. “It enabled the production of a more consistently marketable and cost effective product.”
The development of new and improved parsnip varieties has been important in the history of Tozer. It continues to develop new hybrids with good vigor, canker resistance, shallow crowns, smooth skin, resistance to bruising and white roots of uniform shape and size. Growers interested in Tozer’s parsnips can learn more here.
About Tozer Seeds America
Tozer Seeds America is the U.S. branch of Tozer Seeds, the largest independent and family-owned vegetable breeding company in the U.K. Tozer Seeds specializes in breeding, production and distribution of quality vegetable seed. Tozer Seeds America opened in 2008 and is located in Santa Maria, California.
Here’s a quick look at Western produce shipments, starting in British Columbia, extending down to California and wrapping up in West Texas and New Mexico.
While Washington state cherry shipments are in a seasonal decline, loadings from British Columbia are picking up.
British Columbia certainly is no Washington state when it comes to volume, but the Canadians do provide decent loadings for about a four to six-week period every year. Shipments from an area ranging from Kelowna to Creston are underway with about 100,000 cases already shipped. There is an estimated 500,000 additional boxes to be shipped. The season is expected to last through the third week of August.
California Produce Shipments
Stone fruit shipments continue steady from week to week out of the San Joaquin Valley, led by peaches….From the valley’s Westside district various melons are being loaded, led by cantaloupe, averaging about a 1000 loads per week….Moving to the Watsonville district movement continues steady with strawberries, averaging around 875 truck loads weekly. California produce rates continue to decline, some by as much 15 percent in the past week.
Watsonville berries and Salinas Valley vegetables – grossing about $6500 to New York City.
San Joaquin Valley stone fruit, melons and other items – grossing about $4300 Dallas.
Texas/New Mexico Produce Shipments
In West Texas, the Hereford High Plains area has light, but increasing volume with potatoes, with some shippers also in Eastern New Mexico. Southern New Mexico also continues to ship onions.
Most late summer and fall New York vegetable shipments are going to have substantially less volume, and loading opportunities are going to be a mess, because of unpredictable shipping gapes. Blame it all on Mother Nature and torrential rains in recent weeks.
The heavy rains resulted in flooded fields, disrupted plantings and are expected to produce supply gaps for many vegetables, including sweet corn, green beans, cabbage, squash, cucumbers, onions and potatoes.
For example the down pours delayed the planting of cabbage for 21 days at Hansen Farms LLC, Stanley, N.Y.. which will result in shipping gaps through out the season. Yields will be down, which means volume for shipping will be lower – probably significantly.
While there is little talk of quality issues at this point, and most talk is playing up less volume without quality being affected – don’t necessarily count on it. This should be a concern if you are hauling New York product and just be extra observant what is being put in the truck.
While no percentage losses for volume are available yet on most items, one number being thrown around is both New York potato and onion shipments are expected to be off by 30 percent.
Western New York vegetable shipments – grossing about $1200 to Boston.
A presentation on consumer trends by the Nielsen Perishables Group seems to contradict the widely held belief hat fresh produce consumption is just not increasing on a per-capita basis. The talk was presented recently at the annual United Fresh Produce Association Convention in Chicago.
Jonna Parker, a director for that organization, said over the past five years, dollar volume of fresh produce has increased about 25 percent while unit volume is up 10-13 percent.
Of the top 10 growth items in the grocery sector, six are fresh produce, including two value-added products, specialty fruit, avocados, pineapples and cooking greens, with that last category topped by kale, she said.
Statistics show that annually the average American household spends $338 on fresh produce, compared to only $299 on meat, which comes in second place in dollar sales.
While most customers claim produce is the most important department in picking a store, there are still many trips to the market that do not include a produce purchase. More than half of the times that a person goes to the supermarket they do not put a produce item in their basket.
Currently, the average shopper makes about 40 to 50 supermarket trips per year. Parker said higher-income households (in excess of an annual income of $100,000) are far more prolific produce buyers. They make 51 trips per year and purchase about $454 worth of fresh produce. The least affluent consumers make about 40 trips per year to the supermarket and spend just $221 on produce.
Bananas claim over 50 percent of the volume of fresh fruit imports,” said the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. Excluding bananas, fresh fruit imports rose from 12 percent of domestic consumption.
Bananas are sold the year around in the this country and rank number one in U.S. per capita fresh fruit consumption, followed by apples and oranges. To meet U.S. demand, bananas are imported, primarily from Guatemala, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia and Honduras. Excluding bananas, fruit imports increased an average 7 percent annually over the past two decades.
U.S. fruit imports rose during the last three decades, partly owing to the growing minority ethnic populations in the United States and to an increased demand for new products. Not only have imports expanded for commodities already produced domestically and created competition for U.S. producers, but imports have also increased for nontraditional fruits, especially many tropical fruits.
- Eat at least one banana a day, they are said to contain everything a human needs and they contain all the 8 amino-acids our body cannot produce itself.
- Bananas are a good source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C;
- Red bananas are often dried and converted to meal which is used in many ways;
- Red bananas contain more vitamin C as yellow bananas (the redder a fruit, the more nutritious elements it contains).
Consumption of grapes helped glucose metabolism in an animal model of prediabetes, according to preliminary findings in a study by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
The results were presented at the Experimental Biology annual meeting in Boston earlier this spring, according to a news release.
Lead investigator Andrew Neilson and his fellow researchers looked at the impact of grapes on blood glucose when the activities of glucagon-like-peptide, or GLP-1, a hormone type known to improve insulin response after meals, is impaired.
A reduced insulin response is partly responsible for high blood sugar levels. Prediabetes is defined as impaired glucose tolerance and other symptoms approaching clinically diagnosed diabetes. An estimated 35% of U.S. adults are prediabetic.
In the study, the group that was administered freeze-dried whole grape powder was able to keep blood glucose levels stable, and counteract the negative effect of the inhibited activities of GLP-1. In the group that did not receive grapes, blood glucose levels rose when GLP-1 activities were impaired.
“These findings demonstrate the potential for grapes to help prevent impaired glucose tolerance in a prediabetic population,” Neilson said in the release. “This could have important implications for public health, in which the incidence of prediabetes is on the rise, and more study in this area is needed.”
Here’s a round up of some of the major Western produce shipping areas including volume and freight rates.
California Produce Shipments
Big volume produce shipments continue out of both the Salinas Valley and the San Joaquin Valley of California. We’re certainly not witnessing any record rates this year. This is believed due to several factors. For example the California drought most certainly has resulted in fewer plantings of fruits and vegetables. Taking up at least some of the lack is Mexico that continues to increase production. Mexico not only has cheaper labor and production costs, but fewer restrictive rules and regulations than California.
However, rates were generally stagnant or in many cases lower this week as there was a surplus in refrigerated equipment. Rates on Salinas veggies plunged by double digits in some cases, as vegetable shipments have been less than spectacular this season – in part due to numerous shipping gaps.
Salinas Valley Produce Shipments
The Watsonville district continues shipping strawberries and other berries in good volume. Strawberries are averaging about 950 truck loads per week. Meanwhile, dozens of vegetables continue out of Salinas ranging from various types to lettuces to broccoli, and cauliflower, among others.
Salinas Valley produce – grossing about $6800 to New York City.
San Joaquin Valley Produce Shipments
From the Westside District, cantaloupe, honeydew and other melons are increasing in volume….Watermelons are averaging about 300 truck loads weekly and increasing in volume….There also is good volume with stone fruit ranging from peaches to plums and nectarines….Another big crop of grapes continues to be shipped…Pear and apple shipments are just starting from Northern California and the San Joaquin Valley. Between 1.5 and 1.7 million boxes of apples are forecast and should continue until mid October.
Central San Joaquin Valley fruits and vegetables – grossing about $6100 to Atlanta.
Southern California Produce Shipments
Avocado loadings continue in good volume, although it is declining as we head into the latter part of the shipping season….Tomatoes are big item. Vine ripe tomato loadings continue from the Oceanside and San Diego areas, including produce crossing the border into San Diego from Baja California.
Southern California citrus, avocados and tomatoes – grossing about $4800 to Houston.
Here are some produce loading opportunities from the Central and Mountain time zones.
Texas Produce Shipments
Most Texas produce loadings are coming out of the Lower Rio Valley, much of which is Mexican product crossing the border at McAllen. Watermelon shipments continue from South Texas, and starting to come out Central areas of the Lone Star State. Caution is advised as there are reports of variable quality….Meanwhile tropical fruit items ranging from mangos to avocados among other are crossing the border from Mexico. There’s also light volume with a number Mexican vegetables ranging from broccoli to various kinds of peppers.
South Texas/Mexican produce – grossing about $2700 to Chicago.
Colorado Produce Shipments
The old crop of russet potatoes continues to be shipped out the San Luis Valley, as growers and shippers gear up for the new season harvest. Colorado is still shipping nearly 600 truck loads of potatoes weekly….Western slope Colorado peach and pear loadings have just started within the past week, continuing through most of September….Sweet corn shipments get underway this week and lasting through September….Cantaloupe shipments start about August 1st.
Colorado potatoes – grossing about $2300 to Chicago.
Wisconsin Produce Shipments
Shipments of russet potatoes from Central Wisconsin remain light to moderate as the season gradually winds down. Diggings of the new crop of red potatoes is just getting underway.
Here we go with a round up a several produce shipping areas in the Eastern time zone.
New Jersey Produce Shipments
There is currently good volume with peach shipments, although peak loadings will occur as we approach late July. New Jersey peach shipments will continue through most of September. Jersey blueberries are still moving, but are in a seasonal decline. Steady shipments of vegetables continue from the southern part of the state.
Georgia Produce Shipments
Perhaps heaviest volumes is with Georgia watermelon shipments, averaging around 350 truck loads per week. Sweet corn volume is rapidly declining, as are Vidalia onions….Fort Valley peach shipments are moderate. There is higher volume with peaches and watermelons coming out of South Carolina.
South Carolina peaches – grossing about $1000 to Atlanta.
North Carolina Produce Shipments
Steady volume (about 250 loads weekly) continues from the Eastern part of the state with sweet potatoes, which are grossing about $2300 to Chicago.
Ohio Produce Shipments
Sweet corn shipments join a host of other mixed vegetables originating out of the Willard, OH area. Volume currently is very light, but should hit stride with the arrival of August.
Michigan Produce Shipments
Blueberry shipments are increasing. Movement started nearly three weeks ago and approximately 90 million pounds of blueberries are forecast to be shipped in 2015 for fresh and frozen markets….Concerning Michigan apples, shipments are expected to be similar to last season’s good volume….Mixed vegetables continue to move in good volume.
New York Produce Shipments
Orange County onion loadings will get underway in August. Meanwhile, Hudson Valley apple volume is light as the shipping season comes to an end. Otherwise, there are a number of vegetable shipments scattered throughout the state, particularly in the central and western areas.
Here’s more proof that some basic, fundamental changes are taking place in California regarding produce trucking. The two most cited reasons are excessive regulations – and the drought. This deals with the drought.
Many folks recalled not too many years ago when it was a rite of spring that truck rates would go crazy in California. In particular, the rates would be lowest the first part of the week, but might increase 30 to 50 percent by the end of the week as truck supplies were depleted. While some of the reasoning can be placed on long term negotiated rates (for a year, or at least a shipping season), it is suspected that less production or volume is coming out of California while Mexico and Canada are increasing. (Also, see the interview with Kenny Lund of the Allen Lund Company, from June 4th).
More California crop acreage is being removed from production in 2015, according to the California Department of Agriculture.
At 564,000 acres, fallowing will be up 33% over last year as growers cope with the state’s fourth year of drought, according to the preliminary estimate by University of California, Davis researchers.
They compared this year’s drought effects to years of average water supply. Surface water is even scarcer in 2015 than last year.
Growers are forecast to pump 6.2 million acre-feet of groundwater to partially make up for an 8.7 million shortage. The added pumping is projected to cost $595 million. When pumping costs, job losses, livestock, dairy and other factors are added in, the state’s agricultural industry anticipates drought losses of $2.7 billion.
The estimate pegs direct job losses at 8,560 full- and part-time jobs. But when spillover effects and increased pumping costs are factored in, total losses are closer to 18,600. The loss in irrigated crop revenues statewide for vegetables is estimated at $107.7 million, and for orchard and vines at $82.8 million.
If the California drought continues, the consequences for produce trucking, consumers and agriculture will become even more severe.
Salinas Valley vegetables – grossing about $5100 to Chicago.
San Joaquin Valley fruit and vegetables – grossing about $7800 to New York City.
By Tozer Seeds America
Santa Maria, Calif. – Tozer Seeds America (Tozer), pioneer of the first F1 parsnip hybrid developed over three decades ago, gears up for the North American parsnip growing season as renewed consumer demand increases in 2015 for this sweet and succulent root vegetable.
Tozer is seeing new demand for parsnips in northern U.S. and southern Canada with Food Network claiming parsnips to be a new superfood on the rise and USA Today calling parsnips the next big thing in healthy snacking. Consumers are enjoying parsnips for their versatility – parsnips can be used in a variety of dishes or even be turned into wine – and health benefits – parsnip chips are a popular alternative to potato chips and were also featured on the hit TV series “The Biggest Loser.” Typically a winter vegetable, parsnips are now available year-round in supermarkets and farmers markets throughout the U.S.
“The introduction of F1 parsnip hybrids moved the market toward a washable, firm and narrower parsnip,” said Kraig Kuykendall, sales manager of Tozer Seeds America. “It enabled the production of a more consistently marketable and cost effective product.”
The development of new and improved parsnip varieties has been important in the history of Tozer. It continues to develop new hybrids with good vigor, canker resistance, shallow crowns, smooth skin, resistance to bruising and white roots of uniform shape and size. Growers interested in Tozer’s parsnips can learn more here.
About Tozer Seeds America
Tozer Seeds America is the U.S. branch of Tozer Seeds, the largest independent and family-owned vegetable breeding company in the U.K. Tozer Seeds specializes in breeding, production and distribution of quality vegetable seed. Tozer Seeds America opened in 2008 and is located in Santa Maria, California.