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The initial apples remaining in storage report of the 2024-25 season shows fresh apple holdings are down 7% over November 2023, but still 8% more than the five-year average for the month of November, according to The U.S. Apple Association of Falls Church, VA.
USApple reports this includes over 95% of the country’s national storage capacity.
The report shows processing apples in storage are also down — about 9% — over last year, but equal to the November five-year average.
Washington leads the states with 31,187,651 bushels of apples in regular storage and 110,287,587 in controlled atmosphere storage. New York came in second with 4,969,991 bushels in regular storage and 8,764,168 bushels in controlled atmosphere. Michigan was third with 2,615,000 bushels of apples in regular storage and 8,637,000 bushels in controlled atmosphere storage. Pennsylvania was fourth with 1,711,783 bushels of apples in regular storage and 2,967,826 bushels in controlled atmosphere, and Virginia rounded out the top five with 683,091 bushels in regular storage and 1,040,853 bushels in controlled atmosphere.
While Washington’s holdings as of November are slightly lower than holdings in November 2023, it’s still slightly above the five-year average. The same is true for Michigan and New York. Pennsylvania’s holdings are down from 2023 and below the five-year average. Virginia’s holdings are down this year, but similar to the five-year average for the state.
As of this report, Cosmic Crisp led the varieties in regular storage with 5,182,685 bushels, Pink Lady/cripps pink was second spot with 4,698,124 bushels in regular storage, fuji was third with 4,176,483 bushels, Honeycrisp was fourth at 4,069,109 bushels in regular storage and granny smith was fifth with 3,981,225 bushels in regular storage.
For apples in controlled atmosphere storage, gala outpaces all other varieties with 26,107,068 bushels, followed by red delicious at 20,056,203 bushels, Honeycrisp with 16,910,664 bushels, granny smith with 16,486,909 bushels and fuji with 12,337,186 bushels.
Researchers at the University of Lleida (UdL) have discovered that red-fleshed apples improve endothelial function, which regulates blood flow, reduces inflammation, and modulates the immune system in people with high cholesterol.
Laura Rubió, one of the project’s lead researchers, highlighted that the benefits of red-fleshed apples are “superior” due to the significant improvement in inflammation markers. This variety is not grown in Spain, and now researchers are looking for ways to process and commercialize it so consumers can benefit.
The ‘AppleCOR’ project emerged from a collaboration with IRTA, which was testing a red-fleshed apple grown and sold in northern European countries but not in Spain.
This is because red-fleshed apples contain “anthocyanic phenolic” compounds, which are also found in fruits like blueberries and black grapes. These compounds had never been studied at such levels in apples before, and since they are known to have health benefits, the researchers decided to investigate if the same effects occurred in this apple variety.
By the middle of October Peruvian asparagus exports totaled 71,630 tons for a FOB value of $199 million, reflecting a drop of 8 percent compared to the same period last year, according to Agraria, citing a recent report by Fresh Cargo Peru.
The report says that in this period the primary destination for Peruvian asparagus was North America, which concentrated 74 percent of Peruvian shipments for a value of $133,476,273. In second place was Europe (24 percent) with $7,926,620; followed by Latin America (2 percent) with $5,028,451; Asia (0.5 percent) with $1,956,400; and the Middle East (0.1 percent) with $413,734.
60 percent of these shipments were made by boat, while 40 percent were shipped by air.
The report reveals among the largest exporting companies in the industry are Agroexportaciones Nathanael with a 10 percent share of total Peruvian shipments, which amounts to 6,827 tons. It is followed by Danper Trujillo with a 6 percent share and 4,398 tons; TA Export with 6 percent and 4,173 tons; Kimsa Fresh with 5 percent and 3,843 tons; Florida Blanca with 5 percent and 3,258 tons.
The USDA is reporting New Zealand apple exports in 2024-25 are projected at 380,000 metric tons, up 40,000 metric tons from 2023-24 exports.
“If realized, this would be the highest exports since 2019-20, and the third-most volume of apple exports in a year,” the report said.
The harvest season in New Zealand starts in January and finishes in June, with peak harvest for apples from March to May.
The USDA said New Zealand’s export priorities will likely focus on Vietnam, China, the U.S. and the United Kingdom in the foreseeable future. India also is projected to be a growing market for New Zealand exporters, the report said.
U.S. imports of New Zealand apples in 2024 were valued at $44.9 million, down from $69.2 million in 2023, according to USDA trade numbers.
Royal gala was the most significant variety for export from New Zealand in 2023-24, however, the USDA said increased export demand for varieties such as Envy, Dazzle, and the new variety Rockit has resulted in increased unit pricing per metric ton.
“Commentary from growers is that with the current replacement of damaged orchards and increasing interest rates, farm gate returns will be a substantial factor in the selection of future varieties,” the report said. “As a result, the industry already sees diminishing hectares for varieties such as Braeburn, which in 2011-12 accounted for 22% of national hectares and in 2023-24 was just 6%.”
Growers in New Zealand are replacing apple trees lost to Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023.
“The cyclone caused considerable damage due to large-scale floodwaters, silt, debris, wind, and surface flooding in the primary apple-growing regions of Hawkes Bay and Gisborne,” the USDA said.
New Zealand’s apple planted area in the 2024-25 market year is forecast to increase substantially to 27,181 acres, up from 22,700 acres last season. Apple area expected to be harvested is estimated at 25,833 acres, up from about 22,000 acres in 2022-23.
“Although the recovery from the Cyclone damage is underway, on-farm inflation and debt servicing continue to put cost pressure on the growth of the industry,” the report said.
As the nation adjusts to the results of the 2024 election, agricultural leaders and third-party logistics (3PL) providers are positioned to play pivotal roles in addressing challenges and opportunities within the produce supply chain. Decisions made in the coming months will directly influence how agricultural products move efficiently from farms to consumers.
With President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team preparing key appointments in the Department of Agriculture (USDA), early decisions on leadership will set the tone for the administration’s approach to pressing agricultural issues. For 3PL providers, leadership developments highlight the importance of collaboration with ag leaders to ensure reliable and efficient transportation solutions based on evolving policies. These appointments will likely shape trade policies, domestic farm support, and regulatory practices, potentially mirroring the significant shifts seen during Trump’s previous term, focusing on strengthening U.S. agricultural competitiveness globally.
The trucking industry’s strong endorsement of Sean Duffy’s nomination as Secretary of Transportation highlights the potential for alignment between industry needs and DOT goals. American Trucking Association’s President Chris Spear commended Duffy’s understanding of transportation issues, emphasizing his support for “pro-trucking policies to strengthen the supply chain.” This alignment could accelerate critical projects, such as reducing bottlenecks in transportation corridors, modernizing storage facilities, and improving logistics networks in rural areas. Ag leaders, working closely with the DOT, can advocate for targeted investments that address the unique demands of agriculture. One area of focus, infrastructure improvements, presents a significant opportunity to enhance the agricultural supply chain. Combined with Trump’s focus on efficiency and safety, these developments could revolutionize the movement of agricultural products, bolstering the role of 3PLs in seamlessly connecting producers to markets both domestically and internationally.
Gold Bell and Morning Kiss Organic are spotlighting their full line of premium organic and conventional potatoes and onions as ideal ingredients for holiday meals, according to a news release.
Gold Bell said its pearl onions, boiler onions, shallots and cipollini onions enhance and elevate cooking. These holiday staples provide essential nutrients as potatoes are high in vitamin C and potassium and also offer vitamin B6, magnesium and antioxidants, and onions offer fiber and folic acid, the release said.
Gold Bell said it is fully equipped to ready to meet retail demands with high-quality potatoes, onions and specialty items available in customizable packaging options alongside bulk products. The company sources its potatoes and onions from East Coast farms in Massachusetts and Maine as well as from Prince Edward Island in Canada.
“Now is the perfect time to indulge in savory soups, stews and elevate your Thanksgiving sides,” Michael Guptill of Gold Bell said in the release. “By selecting Gold Bell and Morning Kiss Organic potatoes and onions, consumers are not only enhancing their meals but also making a positive environmental choice. We’re excited to partner with retailers to bring our exceptional crops to family tables across New England and beyond during the holiday season.”
A 17 percent increase in Peruvian grape exports for 2024-25 are forecast to reach a record of 620,000 metric tons, compared with the previous year.
The U.S. was Peru’s top export destination in 2023-24 with exports reaching 244,000 metric tons (up 3% from the previous season), followed by the Netherlands with 70,000 metric tons (up 7%) and Mexico with 45,000 metric tons (up 21%).
An annual deciduous fruit report on Peru from the USDA estimates that grape production will total 790,000 metric tons in 2024-25, up 2% from the previous season.
In early November 2023, Peru’s newly refurbished Port in Pisco started to serve both Ica and Arequipa regions with weekly express services, the USDA said. The Pisco Port connects Ica with the U.S. via a trans-shipment hub in Panama (to Savannah, Philadelphia and Los Angeles), Manzanillo (Mexico), Vancouver (Canada) and northern Europe (Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Amberes, France).
Transit days on average will be 12 days to Philadelphia, 18 days to Mexico, 22 days to Los Angeles, 20 days to Rotterdam and 30 days to Vancouver, the report said.
The 2023-24 growing season was seriously affected by unusual weather conditions — such as heavy rains and high temperatures — that resulted in a lower harvest. Production in the north of the country (Piura, Lambayeque and La Libertas) was severely affected, the report said.
This year, the USDA said the expected increase in grape production is due to better yields in northern Peru (Piura), which was severely hit by an extremely hot winter and heavy rains last season.
Peru’s table grape production area stretches from north to south along the Pacific Ocean, the report said. Peru’s five most popular grape varieties for export are Sweet Globe (22%), red globe (16%), Autumn Crisp (14%), Allison (7%) and Sweet Celebration (5%). Currently, 75% of table grapes are licensed, and 25% are traditional non-licensed varieties.
Grape production is mainly located in Ica (49%) and Piura (37%), the report said. Other relevant areas are Lambayeque (6%), La Libertad (5%) and Arequipa (3%). The total area under cultivation is estimated at 87,522 acres, and the harvesting season in Peru begins in October and ends in April with a north-to-south harvest pattern. With innovative technological advances, table grape production in Piura can harvest twice a year, once in March/April and again in November/December, the report said.
Walmart has officially launched its holiday meal to bring customers “incredible savings on mealtime favorites” earlier and at an even lower price than last year, according to a news release.
Headquartered in Bentonville, Ark., the grocer is offering savings — based on the price of certain items during the same time period last year — on a number of holiday meal ingredients, including produce such as 3-pound bags of fresh yellow onions, one fresh celery stalk, 5-pound bags of fresh whole russet potatoes, Great Value Canned Green Beans, whole sweetpotatoes and 15-ounce packages of Great Value Golden Sweet Whole Kernel Corn.
As food prices remain top of mind, more customers want to begin saving earlier and throughout the holiday season. Now through Dec. 24, Walmart is bringing back its inflation-free Thanksgiving meal at a lower price than last year to help customers save without compromising quality, the release said.
Customers can shop the meal now in stores and with one click on Walmart.com/thanksgiving. With a traditional holiday meal at the grocer’s consistently low prices, Walmart says customers can trust that no matter what the meal occasion this holiday season — from Thanksgiving to Christmas or even Sunday dinner — it’s more affordable.
Walmart is also offering customers the opportunity to gift a meal directly to loved ones anywhere in the country and, new this year, donate an entire meal to their local Salvation Army unit.
“Some of the holiday’s most special moments take place around the dinner table. At Walmart, we are committed to offering customers even deeper savings on top of our Every Day Low Prices for all their mealtime needs,” said John Laney, executive vice president of food for Walmart U.S. “And with more opportunities to gift a meal and give back to those in need, we’re helping customers spread holiday cheer to their loved ones and their local communities.”
An affordable Thanksgiving spread
This year, Walmart’s Thanksgiving meal features 29 items and serves eight people for less than $7 per person, the release said. Shoppers can fill their baskets at Walmart.com/thanksgiving.
- Whole frozen turkey 10-16 pounds ($0.88 per pound).
- Great Value Sweet Hawaiian Rolls (one unit, 12 ounces).
- Great Value Golden Sweet Whole Kkernel Corn (three units,15 ounces).
- Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce (one unit,14 ounces).
- Great Value Canned Green Beans (two units, 14.5 ounces).
- French’s Crispy Fried Onions (one unit, 6 ounces).
- Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (two units, 10.5 ounces).
- Great Value Brown Gravy Mix (two units, 0.87 ounces).
- Marie Callender’s Southern Pecan Pie (one unit, 32 ounces).
- Great Value Frozen Whipped Topping (one unit, 8 ounces).
- Great Value Frozen Deep Dish Pie Crusts (one unit, 16 ounces).
- Great Value 100% Pure Pumpkin (one unit,15 ounces).
- Great Value Evaporated Milk (one unit, 12 ounces).
- Jet-Puffed Mini Marshmallows (one unit,10 ounces).
- Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix (two units, 8.5 ounces).
- Great Value Poultry Seasoning (one unit, 1.5 ounces).
- Swanson Chicken Broth (one unit, 32 ounces).
- Fresh whole russet potatoes (one unit, 5 pounds).
- Fresh whole sweetpotatoes (three units).
- Fresh yellow onions (one unit, 3 pounds).
- Fresh celery stalks (one unit).
- Walmart customers can take advantage of this inflation-free Thanksgiving meal both in-store and online for easy, fast and convenient pickup and delivery no matter when they need it, with early morning delivery starting at 6 a.m. and express delivery in as soon as 30 minutes, the company says.
ldaho’s potato harvest is winding down about on schedule and although good volume is expected in the coming year, a small drop in acreage is reported by the USDA.
Overall U.S. potato acreage in 2024 is down slightly from 2023, according to the USDA. This year, the U.S. is forecast to plant 2% fewer acres than in 2023.
At 941,000 acres, the 2024 U.S. potato planted acreage forecast is a 24,000-acre reduction from 2023 but is 18,000 acres more than the 2020-22 average.
The USDA said decreases in acreage were most pronounced in the Pacific Northwest, which typically accounts for 60% of the domestic crop. Washington (down 10,000 acres), Idaho (down 5,000 acres) and Oregon (down 3,000 acres) are expected to have the largest downward year-over-year adjustments as processors reduce contracted acreage, the USDA said.
In 2023, the USDA reported Idaho planted 330,000 acres of potatoes.
Potato acreage reductions are also expected in seven of the 10 other USDA-surveyed states, likely reflecting higher late-season storage volumes and softer open-market prices during the September 2023 to August 2024 potato marketing year.
The USDA estimates that 934,200 acres of the 941,000 planted U.S. acres will be harvested based on average abandonment rates.
“If this estimate is realized and the U.S. average yield is close to the trendline (458 [hundredweight] per acre), total potato production would be 3% lower (12.9 million [hundredweight]) than last season, but 4% higher than the 2020-22 production average,” the USDA said.
Average yields in 2020-22 fell below trend largely due to weather-related issues in Idaho and Washington. USDA will release its preliminary 2024 U.S. and state-level potato yield and production volume in the November Crop Production report, which will include updated acreage estimates.
The initial apples remaining in storage report of the 2024-25 season shows fresh apple holdings are down 7% over November 2023, but still 8% more than the five-year average for the month of November, according to The U.S. Apple Association of Falls Church, VA.
USApple reports this includes over 95% of the country’s national storage capacity.
The report shows processing apples in storage are also down — about 9% — over last year, but equal to the November five-year average.
Washington leads the states with 31,187,651 bushels of apples in regular storage and 110,287,587 in controlled atmosphere storage. New York came in second with 4,969,991 bushels in regular storage and 8,764,168 bushels in controlled atmosphere. Michigan was third with 2,615,000 bushels of apples in regular storage and 8,637,000 bushels in controlled atmosphere storage. Pennsylvania was fourth with 1,711,783 bushels of apples in regular storage and 2,967,826 bushels in controlled atmosphere, and Virginia rounded out the top five with 683,091 bushels in regular storage and 1,040,853 bushels in controlled atmosphere.
While Washington’s holdings as of November are slightly lower than holdings in November 2023, it’s still slightly above the five-year average. The same is true for Michigan and New York. Pennsylvania’s holdings are down from 2023 and below the five-year average. Virginia’s holdings are down this year, but similar to the five-year average for the state.
As of this report, Cosmic Crisp led the varieties in regular storage with 5,182,685 bushels, Pink Lady/cripps pink was second spot with 4,698,124 bushels in regular storage, fuji was third with 4,176,483 bushels, Honeycrisp was fourth at 4,069,109 bushels in regular storage and granny smith was fifth with 3,981,225 bushels in regular storage.
For apples in controlled atmosphere storage, gala outpaces all other varieties with 26,107,068 bushels, followed by red delicious at 20,056,203 bushels, Honeycrisp with 16,910,664 bushels, granny smith with 16,486,909 bushels and fuji with 12,337,186 bushels.
Researchers at the University of Lleida (UdL) have discovered that red-fleshed apples improve endothelial function, which regulates blood flow, reduces inflammation, and modulates the immune system in people with high cholesterol.
Laura Rubió, one of the project’s lead researchers, highlighted that the benefits of red-fleshed apples are “superior” due to the significant improvement in inflammation markers. This variety is not grown in Spain, and now researchers are looking for ways to process and commercialize it so consumers can benefit.
The ‘AppleCOR’ project emerged from a collaboration with IRTA, which was testing a red-fleshed apple grown and sold in northern European countries but not in Spain.
This is because red-fleshed apples contain “anthocyanic phenolic” compounds, which are also found in fruits like blueberries and black grapes. These compounds had never been studied at such levels in apples before, and since they are known to have health benefits, the researchers decided to investigate if the same effects occurred in this apple variety.
By the middle of October Peruvian asparagus exports totaled 71,630 tons for a FOB value of $199 million, reflecting a drop of 8 percent compared to the same period last year, according to Agraria, citing a recent report by Fresh Cargo Peru.
The report says that in this period the primary destination for Peruvian asparagus was North America, which concentrated 74 percent of Peruvian shipments for a value of $133,476,273. In second place was Europe (24 percent) with $7,926,620; followed by Latin America (2 percent) with $5,028,451; Asia (0.5 percent) with $1,956,400; and the Middle East (0.1 percent) with $413,734.
60 percent of these shipments were made by boat, while 40 percent were shipped by air.
The report reveals among the largest exporting companies in the industry are Agroexportaciones Nathanael with a 10 percent share of total Peruvian shipments, which amounts to 6,827 tons. It is followed by Danper Trujillo with a 6 percent share and 4,398 tons; TA Export with 6 percent and 4,173 tons; Kimsa Fresh with 5 percent and 3,843 tons; Florida Blanca with 5 percent and 3,258 tons.
The USDA is reporting New Zealand apple exports in 2024-25 are projected at 380,000 metric tons, up 40,000 metric tons from 2023-24 exports.
“If realized, this would be the highest exports since 2019-20, and the third-most volume of apple exports in a year,” the report said.
The harvest season in New Zealand starts in January and finishes in June, with peak harvest for apples from March to May.
The USDA said New Zealand’s export priorities will likely focus on Vietnam, China, the U.S. and the United Kingdom in the foreseeable future. India also is projected to be a growing market for New Zealand exporters, the report said.
U.S. imports of New Zealand apples in 2024 were valued at $44.9 million, down from $69.2 million in 2023, according to USDA trade numbers.
Royal gala was the most significant variety for export from New Zealand in 2023-24, however, the USDA said increased export demand for varieties such as Envy, Dazzle, and the new variety Rockit has resulted in increased unit pricing per metric ton.
“Commentary from growers is that with the current replacement of damaged orchards and increasing interest rates, farm gate returns will be a substantial factor in the selection of future varieties,” the report said. “As a result, the industry already sees diminishing hectares for varieties such as Braeburn, which in 2011-12 accounted for 22% of national hectares and in 2023-24 was just 6%.”
Growers in New Zealand are replacing apple trees lost to Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023.
“The cyclone caused considerable damage due to large-scale floodwaters, silt, debris, wind, and surface flooding in the primary apple-growing regions of Hawkes Bay and Gisborne,” the USDA said.
New Zealand’s apple planted area in the 2024-25 market year is forecast to increase substantially to 27,181 acres, up from 22,700 acres last season. Apple area expected to be harvested is estimated at 25,833 acres, up from about 22,000 acres in 2022-23.
“Although the recovery from the Cyclone damage is underway, on-farm inflation and debt servicing continue to put cost pressure on the growth of the industry,” the report said.
As the nation adjusts to the results of the 2024 election, agricultural leaders and third-party logistics (3PL) providers are positioned to play pivotal roles in addressing challenges and opportunities within the produce supply chain. Decisions made in the coming months will directly influence how agricultural products move efficiently from farms to consumers.
With President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team preparing key appointments in the Department of Agriculture (USDA), early decisions on leadership will set the tone for the administration’s approach to pressing agricultural issues. For 3PL providers, leadership developments highlight the importance of collaboration with ag leaders to ensure reliable and efficient transportation solutions based on evolving policies. These appointments will likely shape trade policies, domestic farm support, and regulatory practices, potentially mirroring the significant shifts seen during Trump’s previous term, focusing on strengthening U.S. agricultural competitiveness globally.
The trucking industry’s strong endorsement of Sean Duffy’s nomination as Secretary of Transportation highlights the potential for alignment between industry needs and DOT goals. American Trucking Association’s President Chris Spear commended Duffy’s understanding of transportation issues, emphasizing his support for “pro-trucking policies to strengthen the supply chain.” This alignment could accelerate critical projects, such as reducing bottlenecks in transportation corridors, modernizing storage facilities, and improving logistics networks in rural areas. Ag leaders, working closely with the DOT, can advocate for targeted investments that address the unique demands of agriculture. One area of focus, infrastructure improvements, presents a significant opportunity to enhance the agricultural supply chain. Combined with Trump’s focus on efficiency and safety, these developments could revolutionize the movement of agricultural products, bolstering the role of 3PLs in seamlessly connecting producers to markets both domestically and internationally.
Gold Bell and Morning Kiss Organic are spotlighting their full line of premium organic and conventional potatoes and onions as ideal ingredients for holiday meals, according to a news release.
Gold Bell said its pearl onions, boiler onions, shallots and cipollini onions enhance and elevate cooking. These holiday staples provide essential nutrients as potatoes are high in vitamin C and potassium and also offer vitamin B6, magnesium and antioxidants, and onions offer fiber and folic acid, the release said.
Gold Bell said it is fully equipped to ready to meet retail demands with high-quality potatoes, onions and specialty items available in customizable packaging options alongside bulk products. The company sources its potatoes and onions from East Coast farms in Massachusetts and Maine as well as from Prince Edward Island in Canada.
“Now is the perfect time to indulge in savory soups, stews and elevate your Thanksgiving sides,” Michael Guptill of Gold Bell said in the release. “By selecting Gold Bell and Morning Kiss Organic potatoes and onions, consumers are not only enhancing their meals but also making a positive environmental choice. We’re excited to partner with retailers to bring our exceptional crops to family tables across New England and beyond during the holiday season.”
A 17 percent increase in Peruvian grape exports for 2024-25 are forecast to reach a record of 620,000 metric tons, compared with the previous year.
The U.S. was Peru’s top export destination in 2023-24 with exports reaching 244,000 metric tons (up 3% from the previous season), followed by the Netherlands with 70,000 metric tons (up 7%) and Mexico with 45,000 metric tons (up 21%).
An annual deciduous fruit report on Peru from the USDA estimates that grape production will total 790,000 metric tons in 2024-25, up 2% from the previous season.
In early November 2023, Peru’s newly refurbished Port in Pisco started to serve both Ica and Arequipa regions with weekly express services, the USDA said. The Pisco Port connects Ica with the U.S. via a trans-shipment hub in Panama (to Savannah, Philadelphia and Los Angeles), Manzanillo (Mexico), Vancouver (Canada) and northern Europe (Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Amberes, France).
Transit days on average will be 12 days to Philadelphia, 18 days to Mexico, 22 days to Los Angeles, 20 days to Rotterdam and 30 days to Vancouver, the report said.
The 2023-24 growing season was seriously affected by unusual weather conditions — such as heavy rains and high temperatures — that resulted in a lower harvest. Production in the north of the country (Piura, Lambayeque and La Libertas) was severely affected, the report said.
This year, the USDA said the expected increase in grape production is due to better yields in northern Peru (Piura), which was severely hit by an extremely hot winter and heavy rains last season.
Peru’s table grape production area stretches from north to south along the Pacific Ocean, the report said. Peru’s five most popular grape varieties for export are Sweet Globe (22%), red globe (16%), Autumn Crisp (14%), Allison (7%) and Sweet Celebration (5%). Currently, 75% of table grapes are licensed, and 25% are traditional non-licensed varieties.
Grape production is mainly located in Ica (49%) and Piura (37%), the report said. Other relevant areas are Lambayeque (6%), La Libertad (5%) and Arequipa (3%). The total area under cultivation is estimated at 87,522 acres, and the harvesting season in Peru begins in October and ends in April with a north-to-south harvest pattern. With innovative technological advances, table grape production in Piura can harvest twice a year, once in March/April and again in November/December, the report said.
Walmart has officially launched its holiday meal to bring customers “incredible savings on mealtime favorites” earlier and at an even lower price than last year, according to a news release.
Headquartered in Bentonville, Ark., the grocer is offering savings — based on the price of certain items during the same time period last year — on a number of holiday meal ingredients, including produce such as 3-pound bags of fresh yellow onions, one fresh celery stalk, 5-pound bags of fresh whole russet potatoes, Great Value Canned Green Beans, whole sweetpotatoes and 15-ounce packages of Great Value Golden Sweet Whole Kernel Corn.
As food prices remain top of mind, more customers want to begin saving earlier and throughout the holiday season. Now through Dec. 24, Walmart is bringing back its inflation-free Thanksgiving meal at a lower price than last year to help customers save without compromising quality, the release said.
Customers can shop the meal now in stores and with one click on Walmart.com/thanksgiving. With a traditional holiday meal at the grocer’s consistently low prices, Walmart says customers can trust that no matter what the meal occasion this holiday season — from Thanksgiving to Christmas or even Sunday dinner — it’s more affordable.
Walmart is also offering customers the opportunity to gift a meal directly to loved ones anywhere in the country and, new this year, donate an entire meal to their local Salvation Army unit.
“Some of the holiday’s most special moments take place around the dinner table. At Walmart, we are committed to offering customers even deeper savings on top of our Every Day Low Prices for all their mealtime needs,” said John Laney, executive vice president of food for Walmart U.S. “And with more opportunities to gift a meal and give back to those in need, we’re helping customers spread holiday cheer to their loved ones and their local communities.”
An affordable Thanksgiving spread
This year, Walmart’s Thanksgiving meal features 29 items and serves eight people for less than $7 per person, the release said. Shoppers can fill their baskets at Walmart.com/thanksgiving.
- Whole frozen turkey 10-16 pounds ($0.88 per pound).
- Great Value Sweet Hawaiian Rolls (one unit, 12 ounces).
- Great Value Golden Sweet Whole Kkernel Corn (three units,15 ounces).
- Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce (one unit,14 ounces).
- Great Value Canned Green Beans (two units, 14.5 ounces).
- French’s Crispy Fried Onions (one unit, 6 ounces).
- Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (two units, 10.5 ounces).
- Great Value Brown Gravy Mix (two units, 0.87 ounces).
- Marie Callender’s Southern Pecan Pie (one unit, 32 ounces).
- Great Value Frozen Whipped Topping (one unit, 8 ounces).
- Great Value Frozen Deep Dish Pie Crusts (one unit, 16 ounces).
- Great Value 100% Pure Pumpkin (one unit,15 ounces).
- Great Value Evaporated Milk (one unit, 12 ounces).
- Jet-Puffed Mini Marshmallows (one unit,10 ounces).
- Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix (two units, 8.5 ounces).
- Great Value Poultry Seasoning (one unit, 1.5 ounces).
- Swanson Chicken Broth (one unit, 32 ounces).
- Fresh whole russet potatoes (one unit, 5 pounds).
- Fresh whole sweetpotatoes (three units).
- Fresh yellow onions (one unit, 3 pounds).
- Fresh celery stalks (one unit).
- Walmart customers can take advantage of this inflation-free Thanksgiving meal both in-store and online for easy, fast and convenient pickup and delivery no matter when they need it, with early morning delivery starting at 6 a.m. and express delivery in as soon as 30 minutes, the company says.
ldaho’s potato harvest is winding down about on schedule and although good volume is expected in the coming year, a small drop in acreage is reported by the USDA.
Overall U.S. potato acreage in 2024 is down slightly from 2023, according to the USDA. This year, the U.S. is forecast to plant 2% fewer acres than in 2023.
At 941,000 acres, the 2024 U.S. potato planted acreage forecast is a 24,000-acre reduction from 2023 but is 18,000 acres more than the 2020-22 average.
The USDA said decreases in acreage were most pronounced in the Pacific Northwest, which typically accounts for 60% of the domestic crop. Washington (down 10,000 acres), Idaho (down 5,000 acres) and Oregon (down 3,000 acres) are expected to have the largest downward year-over-year adjustments as processors reduce contracted acreage, the USDA said.
In 2023, the USDA reported Idaho planted 330,000 acres of potatoes.
Potato acreage reductions are also expected in seven of the 10 other USDA-surveyed states, likely reflecting higher late-season storage volumes and softer open-market prices during the September 2023 to August 2024 potato marketing year.
The USDA estimates that 934,200 acres of the 941,000 planted U.S. acres will be harvested based on average abandonment rates.
“If this estimate is realized and the U.S. average yield is close to the trendline (458 [hundredweight] per acre), total potato production would be 3% lower (12.9 million [hundredweight]) than last season, but 4% higher than the 2020-22 production average,” the USDA said.
Average yields in 2020-22 fell below trend largely due to weather-related issues in Idaho and Washington. USDA will release its preliminary 2024 U.S. and state-level potato yield and production volume in the November Crop Production report, which will include updated acreage estimates.