Author Archive
Desert vegetable shipping gaps have been expected for several weeks, and recent freezes appears to be making it even more of a sure thing.
Light freezes started December 26th, but the heaviest frosts started hitting vegetable fields in the Imperial Valley of California and the Yuma, AZ area December 29th.
Frost conditions are tightening lettuce shipments in January. Growers are losing up to 40 percent of their harvests each day as long as they wait for the fields to thaw out.
In the Coachella Valley, temperatures ranged from 30 to 32 degrees at hillside operations, but plunged to 22 to 25 degrees on the valley floor. The Yuma area also had a temperature drop into the 20s.
The cold snap is affecting lettuce and leaf items including romaine and iceberg; green leaf and red leaf lettuce; butter lettuce; and spinach.
It is difficult to predict whether loadings will be available from one day to the next as shipping gaps have started.
Before the freezes, there was a broad consensus that desert vegetables were two to three weeks ahead of normal production due to the warm weather pattern that’s persisted in California throughout 2014.
Produce shipments can be unpredictable anytime of year, but never more so than in winter.
Desert vegetables – grossing about $4400 to Chicago.
(Note: Our 12/31 post was about possible damaging freezes hitting the citrus crop in the San Joaquin Valley. The crop dodged the proverbial bullet, so citrus shipments should be normal this season — unless Mother Nature decides to take another shot at it.)
by American Pistachio Growers
FRESNO, Calif.- Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, and another 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Diet and exercise changes can help to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and new research suggests that eating pistachios may help to lower blood sugar and insulin levels while reversing some indicators of prediabetes.
The study, published in Diabetes Care, a scientific journal of the American Diabetes Association, suggests that pistachios may have glucose- and insulin-lowering effects and promote a healthier metabolic profile in people with prediabetes. This is because the great nutrition in American-grown pistachios – protein, healthy fats and fiber – may all help lower blood glucose. The findings of this new study add to the literature on health benefits of nuts in general, and pistachios in particular.
If recognized early, prediabetes can be prevented and treated. It is estimated that more than 900 million people worldwide exhibit some risk factors and if left untreated, up to seven percent annually will progress to type 2 diabetes. “Something as simple as eating pistachios may help lower blood glucose, improve insulin sensitivity and lessen your risk of diabetes, heart disease or stroke. This is good news for the many people who may be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Arianna Carughi, nutrition consultant to American Pistachio Growers, “Additionally, pistachios are lower in calories than other nuts and have higher levels of bioactive compounds like lutein, beta-carotene, gamma tocopherol and phytosterols.”
This randomized, cross-over, controlled clinical study ran from 2011 to February 2013. The study consisted of 54 adults with prediabetes who were divided into two groups. One group ate two ounces of pistachios daily for four months, and then followed a control diet of olive oil and other fats instead of pistachios for four months. The second group began with the control diet followed by the pistachio diet. The diets were matched for protein, fiber and saturated fatty acids.
The researchers confirmed fasting blood sugar levels, insulin and hormonal markers decreased significantly during the pistachio diet compared to the control diet, where these levels and markers actually increased. Signs of inflammation were also reported to have decreased among the pistachio diet. In addition, neither group experienced weight gain.
This is the latest study in a growing body of research that indicates pistachios can play an important role in the diets of those who have or are at risk of developing diabetes. For more information on research related to pistachios and diabetes, visit www.AmericanPistachios.org/Nutrition-and-Health
Supported in part by American Pistachio Growers, the study was undertaken by researchers with the Universitat Rovira I Virguli, Reus and Instituto de Salud Carolos III, both in Spain. None of the funding sources played a role in the design, collection, analysis or interpretation of the data.
About American Pistachio Growers
American Pistachio Growers (APG) is a non-profit voluntary agricultural trade association representing more than 650 grower members in California, Arizona and New Mexico. APG is governed by a democratically-elected board of directors and is funded entirely by growers and independent processors with the shared goal of increasing global awareness of nutritious American-grown pistachios. APG pistachios are the “Official Snack” of USA Water Polo, professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones, British pro cyclist Mark Cavendish and the Miss California Organization. For more information, visit www.AmericanPistachios.org
In January HaulProduce.com marks it 4th anniversary. During this month we will have posted on the website 1,000 produce trucking reports and other news items and features.
This sojourn began in September 1974 as I began learning all I could about the produce and trucking industries and combining those two interests with what eventually led to creating the Produce Truckers Network. During its 20-years on the air it was broadcast on over 60 radio stations across the U.S. and Canada, before becoming a part of satellite radio for four years.
The essence of those radio reports continues to be viable to this day, as it re-emerged as HaulProduce.com.
It is very encouraging receiving the regular phone calls and e-mails saying the website is providing informative, useful information, whether it comes from owner operators, small fleet owners, carriers, or third parties.
Ironically, when I entered this industry it was a period leading up t0 the deregulation of the trucking industry. Unfortunately, this “deregulated” industry has to deal with more stifling regulations than ever.
After four decades of relationships established in both the trucking and produce industries, and collecting a wealth of information scattered throughout the internet, providing information you can use in your business continues to be a priority.
A special thank you goes to TransFresh Corp. that provides the Techtrol CO2 process that extends shelf live of berries and other items in-transit, thus reducing the chances for claims or rejected loads at destination.
Another special thank you to truck brokerage Cool Runnings.
I have known Rich Macleod of TransFresh and Fred Plotsky at Cool Runnings for decades and deeply appreciate their sponsorship since day one of this venture. Both companies represent the finest in business ethics and practices.
We are looking forward to more companies are coming aboard in the New Year.
However, without you, our readers and subscribers, none of this would be possible. Thank you so much for your continued support.
As we embark on 2015, this is wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year filled with safe travels.
— Bill Martin
There’s a possible California freeze damaging cold front barreling in from Canada that will hit the citrus shipping region of California’s San Joaquin Valley the nights of New Years Eve and New Years night….Additionally, here’s an update on loading opportunities for imported Chilean fruit.
A winter storm racing into the central San Joaquin Valley from Canada could bring temperatures of 26-27 degrees F. the nights of December 31st and January 1st, although forecasters are saying this could change as the storm nears. If the forecast holds, growers will likely begin irrigating on Wednesday to help warm the ground and protect trees. Wind machines will be turned on at night to mix the air and prevent cold pockets from forming.
Approximately 75 percent of the orange and mandarin crops have yet to be harvested. Navel oranges can withstand about four hours of 28-degree temperatures with little or no damage. However, mandarins are more sensitive, and even 32 degrees can be damaging to them.
If damage does occur, it typically takes days, if not weeks to assess how serious it was.
Chilean Fruit Imports
Apart from some recent rains that affected cherry volumes, weather conditions have been favorable for this season. Volume increases are predicted for Chilean fruit commodities, even cherries. This would be in stark contrast to the large volume decreases in 2013-14 due to severe frosts in the South American country. Exports of Chilean blueberries are expected to show a huge increase of 30 percent over last season, with volume exceeding 200 million pounds. An estimated 70 percent of exports come to North America. In the overall grape category, increases are seen for all varieties. Chilean grape imports will increase significantly in January, February and March.
As we rapidly approach the New Year, vegetable volume will be increasing from Mexico through Nogales, as well as the California desert. Here also is a summary of what recent rains in drought stricken California will mean for produce haulers in the future.
Mexican vine-ripe tomato shipments will be moving into volume shipments around January 1st.
Mexican strawberry volume is increasing along with strawberries from the Plant City, FL area as well as fruit from Ventura County, CA.
Southern California strawberry shipments started the week of December 15th with very light volume. However, increasing the volume has been hampered due to rainy, cool weather. Mexican strawberry shipments have been steadily increasing, but decent volume won’t be available until the first or second week of January.
California Drought Update
A week of storms that swept through California in mid-December came nowhere close to ending the state’s drought. But with continued warm weather in the forecast, conditions are good for rapid crop growth — and possible winter shipping gaps. Celery out of Oxnard and iceberg lettuce out of Yuma, Ariz. are both coming on fast — where less rain fell but warm weather prevailed.
It has taken a crop that was well ahead of schedule and made it even more so,. The combination of rain, with mild conditions has created accelerated growth that is unprecedented. This is expected to result in shipping gaps during the next several weeks.
A NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory study released Dec. 16 found the water storage in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River basins was 11 trillion gallons below normal seasonal levels. It could take years to replenish that. The study was based on satellite data from earlier in 2014.
Mexican vegetables crossing at Nogales – grossing about $1000 to Los Angeles.
Imperial Valley/Yuma district vegetables – grossing about $5300 to Atlanta.
Here are some of the better loading opportunities occurring in the Eastern United States, although volume from most areas is modest at best.
Florida produce shipments and truck rates tend to get a little funky during the holidays as there is a rush to deliver product for Christmas, then reorder between Christmas and New Year’s. Rates tend to fluctuate more than normal during this time.
Tomato shipments in Florida’s Homestead region should kick off in January, but overall Florida volume will likely fall off as Mexican tomato shipments ramp up. Many Florida tomato growers simply don’t grow as heavily for winter as they do for fall and spring. Shipments in the Ruskin/Palmetto growing region of Florida pretty much finished last week, with Immokalee taking over the lion’s share of the Sunshine State’s tomato volume.
Florida strawberry shipments were slow to pick up thanks to cool weather, but that began changing last week. Volume should hit, good, normal levels in early January.
Central and South Florida produce – grossing about $3200 to New York City.
Sweet Potato Shipments
Domestic shipments in the USA for sweet potatoes has risen by 40 percent since 2008, with exports rising exponentially during the same period. North Carolina is the leading state in sweet potato shipments.
North Carolina sweet potatoes – grossing about $3000 to Chicago.
New York Produce Shipments
Apple shipments are originating out of Western and Central New York, as well as the Champlain Valley, but the biggest volume is from the Hudson Valley. Cabbage loadings continue from Central and western areas, while most onion shipments are coming out of Orange County.
Hudson Valley apples – grossing about $2000 to Atlanta.
The Q3 2014 edition of the FreshFacts on Retail report, which examines overall retail trends in produce, has been released by The United Fresh Produce Association.
The study shows that during this quarter, fruit and vegetable volume remained steady compared to the previous year, while dollar sales increased slightly due to a small increase in average retail price. The report, produced in partnership with the Nielsen Perishables Group and sponsored by Del Monte Fresh Produce, measures retail price and sales trends for the top 10 fruit and vegetable commodities, as well as value-added, organic and other produce categories.
It also features a more detailed look at the berries, citrus and packaged salad categories, as well as produce in the deli. Highlights of this quarter’s report include the following:
•Cherries posted the highest growth in the fruit category, with dollar sales increasing 16.9 percent and volume increasing 36.7 percent
•Packaged salad posted the highest growth in the vegetable category, with increased dollar sales 9.1 percent and volume increasing 6.8 percent
•Value-added fruits posted average weekly dollar and volume sales growth of 10.5 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively
•Average weekly dollar and volume sales for snacking vegetables both increased by double digits compared to Q3 2013
•Shoppers continued to seek out organic produce, resulting in significant dollar and volume sales increases for organic fruits and vegetables.
This quarter’s FreshFacts report also features a spotlight on consumer demand of value-added convenience produce items. Multiple convenience items experienced double-digit growth, including fresh-cut fruits, mixed melons, snacking vegetables and value-added vegetable side dishes.
One of my favorite Christmas gifts as a kid was an electric football game. It was simply a metal (not plastic) green colored field with all the stripes, yard markers etc. Each team had its plastic players with the down linemen, receivers, backs, etc. One team was red, the other was white. You lined the defense and offense up and flipped the switch, which vibrated the field making the players move.
Today, I suppose my old football game would be like comparing a 78 rpm vinyl record to an ipod, or a trailer with block ice for refrigeration versus today’s computerized reefers units.
Many fond memories remain of my youth; the holidays with Mom and Dad, and other relatives, who are no longer with us. Then you become the Dad, and the grandpa.
There is so much to be thankful for anytime of the year, but at Christmas, reminders are so prevelent.
The only gifts I really want anymore, I already have – a loving family – and some close friends. There will be a donation to the John 3:16 Mission, and a helping hand to a family is less fortunate.
I remain so thankful for the men and women who serve and have served our nation – and their scarifices. I still consider America the greatest place on earth to live and am thankful for freedom we have here.
To those in trucking, no private industry provides a more important service to our country. It requires experise, professionalism and hard work, delivering to Americans virutally everything found in our homes.
I’ll close by providing you with part of the lyrics to a wonderful Christmas song you probably never heard by musician Don White from Tulsa, OK. I have also posted the video of Don performing the song below . God Bless, and wishing you a very Merry Christmas. — Bill Martin
IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME, I’M COMING HOME – by Don White
Far away, I’m feeling so lonely
Hi Mom, just calling to say
This year I’m coming home
I know I won’t forget
the reason we celebrate the season
But it’s Christmas
I’m coming home
Mid December rains on the West Coast will benefit produce truckers hauling California citrus next year, plus will be helpful long term with produce shipments throughout much of the state.
The rain storm hit the main citrus shipping regions, but more importantly provided more water for storage, as an initial start to climbing out of a three-year-long drought. The rains are helping to reinvigorate citrus trees, which helps with fruit sizing.
California citrus is about seven weeks into the season with another 25 weeks of shipping ahead.
California Navel loadings began in mid-October, but a lack of rainfall over the summer had led to a smaller-than-usual fruit sizing.
The California Department of Water Resources says the state needs about five or six of these storms this winter and spring to have an above-average water year and to begin to make up the deficits racked up over the past three years. Because of the mid December storms, three of California’s largest reservoirs – Oroville, Shasta and Folsom – rose for the first time since last spring. But each of those reservoirs, which provide much of agriculture with the summer irrigation water it needs, still stand at only about one-third of capacity.
For the drought to be declared over, several cold weather storms that drop snow in the higher elevations are needed. Currently, the snow pack remains below normal. Each year’s snowpack and spring runoff provides California with the vast majority of its reservoir water.
But there is no doubt that the rains have helped.
Southern California citrus – grossing about $4200 to Chicago.
With the USDA forecasting imports into the United States will exceed exports, that is good news for produce haulers. Imported produce continues to grow, especially during the winter months. U.S. ports, particularly in the Southeastern USA are handling more imported fresh perishables than ever.
The USDA is projecting stronger growth for U.S. imports of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruit imports in FY 2015 will total $10.3 billion, 8.9 percent higher than 2014 and 23 percent above fiscal year 2013. Fresh vegetable imports are forecast at $7.1 billion in 2015, 7 percent above FY 2014 and 8 percent above fiscal year 2013. The top imported fresh commodity in 2014 was Mexican tomatoes at $1.6 billion, 1 percent above 2013. U.S. imports of Mexican avocados surged in value in 2014, rising from $920 million to $1.23 billion.
U.S. imports of fruits and vegetables will continue to outpace exports. U.S. fresh fruit and vegetable exports will reach $7.9 billion in fiscal year 2015. Strong exports of fresh fruits and vegetables will help total U.S. horticultural exports reach record levels. At $7.9 billion, fresh fruit and vegetable exports for fiscal year 2015 (October 2014 through September 2015) are forecast 6.4 percent ahead of fiscal year 2014’s total of $7.42 billion.
The U.S. exported $600 million in fresh berries to Canada in FY 2014, representing the biggest commodity export value to any country. U.S. berry exports to Canada were 2 percent down from 2013, but 5 percent above 2012. U.S. exports of lettuce to Canada topped $400 million, and both grapes and apples tallied more than $200 million in export sales to Canada. The top export to Mexico was apples at $257 million, down about 25 percent compared with 2013.
Imports from distribution centers near South Florida ports – grossing about $2300 to Chicago.
Desert vegetable shipping gaps have been expected for several weeks, and recent freezes appears to be making it even more of a sure thing.
Light freezes started December 26th, but the heaviest frosts started hitting vegetable fields in the Imperial Valley of California and the Yuma, AZ area December 29th.
Frost conditions are tightening lettuce shipments in January. Growers are losing up to 40 percent of their harvests each day as long as they wait for the fields to thaw out.
In the Coachella Valley, temperatures ranged from 30 to 32 degrees at hillside operations, but plunged to 22 to 25 degrees on the valley floor. The Yuma area also had a temperature drop into the 20s.
The cold snap is affecting lettuce and leaf items including romaine and iceberg; green leaf and red leaf lettuce; butter lettuce; and spinach.
It is difficult to predict whether loadings will be available from one day to the next as shipping gaps have started.
Before the freezes, there was a broad consensus that desert vegetables were two to three weeks ahead of normal production due to the warm weather pattern that’s persisted in California throughout 2014.
Produce shipments can be unpredictable anytime of year, but never more so than in winter.
Desert vegetables – grossing about $4400 to Chicago.
(Note: Our 12/31 post was about possible damaging freezes hitting the citrus crop in the San Joaquin Valley. The crop dodged the proverbial bullet, so citrus shipments should be normal this season — unless Mother Nature decides to take another shot at it.)
by American Pistachio Growers
FRESNO, Calif.- Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, and another 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Diet and exercise changes can help to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and new research suggests that eating pistachios may help to lower blood sugar and insulin levels while reversing some indicators of prediabetes.
The study, published in Diabetes Care, a scientific journal of the American Diabetes Association, suggests that pistachios may have glucose- and insulin-lowering effects and promote a healthier metabolic profile in people with prediabetes. This is because the great nutrition in American-grown pistachios – protein, healthy fats and fiber – may all help lower blood glucose. The findings of this new study add to the literature on health benefits of nuts in general, and pistachios in particular.
If recognized early, prediabetes can be prevented and treated. It is estimated that more than 900 million people worldwide exhibit some risk factors and if left untreated, up to seven percent annually will progress to type 2 diabetes. “Something as simple as eating pistachios may help lower blood glucose, improve insulin sensitivity and lessen your risk of diabetes, heart disease or stroke. This is good news for the many people who may be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Arianna Carughi, nutrition consultant to American Pistachio Growers, “Additionally, pistachios are lower in calories than other nuts and have higher levels of bioactive compounds like lutein, beta-carotene, gamma tocopherol and phytosterols.”
This randomized, cross-over, controlled clinical study ran from 2011 to February 2013. The study consisted of 54 adults with prediabetes who were divided into two groups. One group ate two ounces of pistachios daily for four months, and then followed a control diet of olive oil and other fats instead of pistachios for four months. The second group began with the control diet followed by the pistachio diet. The diets were matched for protein, fiber and saturated fatty acids.
The researchers confirmed fasting blood sugar levels, insulin and hormonal markers decreased significantly during the pistachio diet compared to the control diet, where these levels and markers actually increased. Signs of inflammation were also reported to have decreased among the pistachio diet. In addition, neither group experienced weight gain.
This is the latest study in a growing body of research that indicates pistachios can play an important role in the diets of those who have or are at risk of developing diabetes. For more information on research related to pistachios and diabetes, visit www.AmericanPistachios.org/Nutrition-and-Health
Supported in part by American Pistachio Growers, the study was undertaken by researchers with the Universitat Rovira I Virguli, Reus and Instituto de Salud Carolos III, both in Spain. None of the funding sources played a role in the design, collection, analysis or interpretation of the data.
About American Pistachio Growers
American Pistachio Growers (APG) is a non-profit voluntary agricultural trade association representing more than 650 grower members in California, Arizona and New Mexico. APG is governed by a democratically-elected board of directors and is funded entirely by growers and independent processors with the shared goal of increasing global awareness of nutritious American-grown pistachios. APG pistachios are the “Official Snack” of USA Water Polo, professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones, British pro cyclist Mark Cavendish and the Miss California Organization. For more information, visit www.AmericanPistachios.org
In January HaulProduce.com marks it 4th anniversary. During this month we will have posted on the website 1,000 produce trucking reports and other news items and features.
This sojourn began in September 1974 as I began learning all I could about the produce and trucking industries and combining those two interests with what eventually led to creating the Produce Truckers Network. During its 20-years on the air it was broadcast on over 60 radio stations across the U.S. and Canada, before becoming a part of satellite radio for four years.
The essence of those radio reports continues to be viable to this day, as it re-emerged as HaulProduce.com.
It is very encouraging receiving the regular phone calls and e-mails saying the website is providing informative, useful information, whether it comes from owner operators, small fleet owners, carriers, or third parties.
Ironically, when I entered this industry it was a period leading up t0 the deregulation of the trucking industry. Unfortunately, this “deregulated” industry has to deal with more stifling regulations than ever.
After four decades of relationships established in both the trucking and produce industries, and collecting a wealth of information scattered throughout the internet, providing information you can use in your business continues to be a priority.
A special thank you goes to TransFresh Corp. that provides the Techtrol CO2 process that extends shelf live of berries and other items in-transit, thus reducing the chances for claims or rejected loads at destination.
Another special thank you to truck brokerage Cool Runnings.
I have known Rich Macleod of TransFresh and Fred Plotsky at Cool Runnings for decades and deeply appreciate their sponsorship since day one of this venture. Both companies represent the finest in business ethics and practices.
We are looking forward to more companies are coming aboard in the New Year.
However, without you, our readers and subscribers, none of this would be possible. Thank you so much for your continued support.
As we embark on 2015, this is wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year filled with safe travels.
— Bill Martin
There’s a possible California freeze damaging cold front barreling in from Canada that will hit the citrus shipping region of California’s San Joaquin Valley the nights of New Years Eve and New Years night….Additionally, here’s an update on loading opportunities for imported Chilean fruit.
A winter storm racing into the central San Joaquin Valley from Canada could bring temperatures of 26-27 degrees F. the nights of December 31st and January 1st, although forecasters are saying this could change as the storm nears. If the forecast holds, growers will likely begin irrigating on Wednesday to help warm the ground and protect trees. Wind machines will be turned on at night to mix the air and prevent cold pockets from forming.
Approximately 75 percent of the orange and mandarin crops have yet to be harvested. Navel oranges can withstand about four hours of 28-degree temperatures with little or no damage. However, mandarins are more sensitive, and even 32 degrees can be damaging to them.
If damage does occur, it typically takes days, if not weeks to assess how serious it was.
Chilean Fruit Imports
Apart from some recent rains that affected cherry volumes, weather conditions have been favorable for this season. Volume increases are predicted for Chilean fruit commodities, even cherries. This would be in stark contrast to the large volume decreases in 2013-14 due to severe frosts in the South American country. Exports of Chilean blueberries are expected to show a huge increase of 30 percent over last season, with volume exceeding 200 million pounds. An estimated 70 percent of exports come to North America. In the overall grape category, increases are seen for all varieties. Chilean grape imports will increase significantly in January, February and March.
As we rapidly approach the New Year, vegetable volume will be increasing from Mexico through Nogales, as well as the California desert. Here also is a summary of what recent rains in drought stricken California will mean for produce haulers in the future.
Mexican vine-ripe tomato shipments will be moving into volume shipments around January 1st.
Mexican strawberry volume is increasing along with strawberries from the Plant City, FL area as well as fruit from Ventura County, CA.
Southern California strawberry shipments started the week of December 15th with very light volume. However, increasing the volume has been hampered due to rainy, cool weather. Mexican strawberry shipments have been steadily increasing, but decent volume won’t be available until the first or second week of January.
California Drought Update
A week of storms that swept through California in mid-December came nowhere close to ending the state’s drought. But with continued warm weather in the forecast, conditions are good for rapid crop growth — and possible winter shipping gaps. Celery out of Oxnard and iceberg lettuce out of Yuma, Ariz. are both coming on fast — where less rain fell but warm weather prevailed.
It has taken a crop that was well ahead of schedule and made it even more so,. The combination of rain, with mild conditions has created accelerated growth that is unprecedented. This is expected to result in shipping gaps during the next several weeks.
A NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory study released Dec. 16 found the water storage in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River basins was 11 trillion gallons below normal seasonal levels. It could take years to replenish that. The study was based on satellite data from earlier in 2014.
Mexican vegetables crossing at Nogales – grossing about $1000 to Los Angeles.
Imperial Valley/Yuma district vegetables – grossing about $5300 to Atlanta.
Here are some of the better loading opportunities occurring in the Eastern United States, although volume from most areas is modest at best.
Florida produce shipments and truck rates tend to get a little funky during the holidays as there is a rush to deliver product for Christmas, then reorder between Christmas and New Year’s. Rates tend to fluctuate more than normal during this time.
Tomato shipments in Florida’s Homestead region should kick off in January, but overall Florida volume will likely fall off as Mexican tomato shipments ramp up. Many Florida tomato growers simply don’t grow as heavily for winter as they do for fall and spring. Shipments in the Ruskin/Palmetto growing region of Florida pretty much finished last week, with Immokalee taking over the lion’s share of the Sunshine State’s tomato volume.
Florida strawberry shipments were slow to pick up thanks to cool weather, but that began changing last week. Volume should hit, good, normal levels in early January.
Central and South Florida produce – grossing about $3200 to New York City.
Sweet Potato Shipments
Domestic shipments in the USA for sweet potatoes has risen by 40 percent since 2008, with exports rising exponentially during the same period. North Carolina is the leading state in sweet potato shipments.
North Carolina sweet potatoes – grossing about $3000 to Chicago.
New York Produce Shipments
Apple shipments are originating out of Western and Central New York, as well as the Champlain Valley, but the biggest volume is from the Hudson Valley. Cabbage loadings continue from Central and western areas, while most onion shipments are coming out of Orange County.
Hudson Valley apples – grossing about $2000 to Atlanta.
The Q3 2014 edition of the FreshFacts on Retail report, which examines overall retail trends in produce, has been released by The United Fresh Produce Association.
The study shows that during this quarter, fruit and vegetable volume remained steady compared to the previous year, while dollar sales increased slightly due to a small increase in average retail price. The report, produced in partnership with the Nielsen Perishables Group and sponsored by Del Monte Fresh Produce, measures retail price and sales trends for the top 10 fruit and vegetable commodities, as well as value-added, organic and other produce categories.
It also features a more detailed look at the berries, citrus and packaged salad categories, as well as produce in the deli. Highlights of this quarter’s report include the following:
•Cherries posted the highest growth in the fruit category, with dollar sales increasing 16.9 percent and volume increasing 36.7 percent
•Packaged salad posted the highest growth in the vegetable category, with increased dollar sales 9.1 percent and volume increasing 6.8 percent
•Value-added fruits posted average weekly dollar and volume sales growth of 10.5 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively
•Average weekly dollar and volume sales for snacking vegetables both increased by double digits compared to Q3 2013
•Shoppers continued to seek out organic produce, resulting in significant dollar and volume sales increases for organic fruits and vegetables.
This quarter’s FreshFacts report also features a spotlight on consumer demand of value-added convenience produce items. Multiple convenience items experienced double-digit growth, including fresh-cut fruits, mixed melons, snacking vegetables and value-added vegetable side dishes.
One of my favorite Christmas gifts as a kid was an electric football game. It was simply a metal (not plastic) green colored field with all the stripes, yard markers etc. Each team had its plastic players with the down linemen, receivers, backs, etc. One team was red, the other was white. You lined the defense and offense up and flipped the switch, which vibrated the field making the players move.
Today, I suppose my old football game would be like comparing a 78 rpm vinyl record to an ipod, or a trailer with block ice for refrigeration versus today’s computerized reefers units.
Many fond memories remain of my youth; the holidays with Mom and Dad, and other relatives, who are no longer with us. Then you become the Dad, and the grandpa.
There is so much to be thankful for anytime of the year, but at Christmas, reminders are so prevelent.
The only gifts I really want anymore, I already have – a loving family – and some close friends. There will be a donation to the John 3:16 Mission, and a helping hand to a family is less fortunate.
I remain so thankful for the men and women who serve and have served our nation – and their scarifices. I still consider America the greatest place on earth to live and am thankful for freedom we have here.
To those in trucking, no private industry provides a more important service to our country. It requires experise, professionalism and hard work, delivering to Americans virutally everything found in our homes.
I’ll close by providing you with part of the lyrics to a wonderful Christmas song you probably never heard by musician Don White from Tulsa, OK. I have also posted the video of Don performing the song below . God Bless, and wishing you a very Merry Christmas. — Bill Martin
IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME, I’M COMING HOME – by Don White
Far away, I’m feeling so lonely
Hi Mom, just calling to say
This year I’m coming home
I know I won’t forget
the reason we celebrate the season
But it’s Christmas
I’m coming home
Mid December rains on the West Coast will benefit produce truckers hauling California citrus next year, plus will be helpful long term with produce shipments throughout much of the state.
The rain storm hit the main citrus shipping regions, but more importantly provided more water for storage, as an initial start to climbing out of a three-year-long drought. The rains are helping to reinvigorate citrus trees, which helps with fruit sizing.
California citrus is about seven weeks into the season with another 25 weeks of shipping ahead.
California Navel loadings began in mid-October, but a lack of rainfall over the summer had led to a smaller-than-usual fruit sizing.
The California Department of Water Resources says the state needs about five or six of these storms this winter and spring to have an above-average water year and to begin to make up the deficits racked up over the past three years. Because of the mid December storms, three of California’s largest reservoirs – Oroville, Shasta and Folsom – rose for the first time since last spring. But each of those reservoirs, which provide much of agriculture with the summer irrigation water it needs, still stand at only about one-third of capacity.
For the drought to be declared over, several cold weather storms that drop snow in the higher elevations are needed. Currently, the snow pack remains below normal. Each year’s snowpack and spring runoff provides California with the vast majority of its reservoir water.
But there is no doubt that the rains have helped.
Southern California citrus – grossing about $4200 to Chicago.
With the USDA forecasting imports into the United States will exceed exports, that is good news for produce haulers. Imported produce continues to grow, especially during the winter months. U.S. ports, particularly in the Southeastern USA are handling more imported fresh perishables than ever.
The USDA is projecting stronger growth for U.S. imports of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruit imports in FY 2015 will total $10.3 billion, 8.9 percent higher than 2014 and 23 percent above fiscal year 2013. Fresh vegetable imports are forecast at $7.1 billion in 2015, 7 percent above FY 2014 and 8 percent above fiscal year 2013. The top imported fresh commodity in 2014 was Mexican tomatoes at $1.6 billion, 1 percent above 2013. U.S. imports of Mexican avocados surged in value in 2014, rising from $920 million to $1.23 billion.
U.S. imports of fruits and vegetables will continue to outpace exports. U.S. fresh fruit and vegetable exports will reach $7.9 billion in fiscal year 2015. Strong exports of fresh fruits and vegetables will help total U.S. horticultural exports reach record levels. At $7.9 billion, fresh fruit and vegetable exports for fiscal year 2015 (October 2014 through September 2015) are forecast 6.4 percent ahead of fiscal year 2014’s total of $7.42 billion.
The U.S. exported $600 million in fresh berries to Canada in FY 2014, representing the biggest commodity export value to any country. U.S. berry exports to Canada were 2 percent down from 2013, but 5 percent above 2012. U.S. exports of lettuce to Canada topped $400 million, and both grapes and apples tallied more than $200 million in export sales to Canada. The top export to Mexico was apples at $257 million, down about 25 percent compared with 2013.
Imports from distribution centers near South Florida ports – grossing about $2300 to Chicago.