In the third estimate of the season, Chile’s ASOEX’s Table Grape Committee has further reduced the export forecast.
The Committee now expects volumes to reach 66.9 million boxes, which is 10% lower than last season and 2.5% lower than the second estimate.
“The decrease is due to a varietal reconversion that the industry has been doing for some time and that is today beginning to see its fruits, since more than 50% of exports will be of new varieties,” said Ivan Marambio, president of ASOEX.
The executive added that it has been more than a decade since “the sector began with this effort, and this season will mark a milestone in terms of volumes in exports of our grapes”.
For the upcoming season, Chile will send 36.3 million boxes of new varieties and 19.5 million boxes of traditional varieties. In addition, 11.2 million boxes of Red Globe will also be shipped. This particular variety is increasingly losing ground in exports, dropping 25% this season compared to last year.
Among the new varieties, red varieties lead shipments with 17.6 million boxes, where Timco, Allison and Sweet Celebration stand out. White varieties follow with 14.1 million boxes, especially ARRA 15, Timpson and Sweet Globe.
Finally, the new black varieties with 4.5 million boxes, are led by Sweet Favours, Sable Seedless and Sweet Sapphire.
Regarding destinations, Ignacio Caballero, Coordinator of the Committee, said that “the U.S. will continue to be our main market. We are estimating that close to 40 million boxes will be destined for this market, 15 million will be delivered to Asia, while 9 million will go to Europe, followed by 6 million to other destinations such as Latin America and the Middle East.”
Caballero also indicated that “estimates fluctuate based on external variables that affect the volume, availability, dates and destinations of our grapes, such as weather conditions, freight, availability of workers and other global logistical variables external to the sector. According to the Committee’s plan, we will deliver a fourth estimate at the end of December”.
Prices of shipping containers have fallen by two-thirds this year after reaching figures tenfold on major trade routes during 2021, according to Investors’ Chronicle. Rates slowly began falling in the third quarter of 2022 and are expected to continue to drop, the outlet reports.
The estimated cost of shipping a 40 foot container from China to the U.S. West Coast has dropped by 84% since the start of April to $2,470, according to Freightos Baltic Index.
Although the rate is 86% lower year-on-year, it is still 80% higher than in October 2019, before the onset of the pandemic.
Shipping container prices for routes between China and northern Europe began their decline in January, Freightos’ head of research Judah Levine said.
The executive quoted the hit to disposable incomes from higher inflation and the shift in spending from goods to services as the two main factors for the decrease.
Consequently, as lower demand sets in, the congestion issues that have affected major ports around the world is also starting to ease. Prior to the pandemic, only around 3% of global container ships were held up due to this problem. Today, this affects 8% of vessels, a considerable drop from 14% in January 2022.On the other hand, contract rates are also in decline. Shipping data firm Xeneta’s index tracking contract rates from China to Europe recorded its biggest ever month-on-month drop of 8% in October. However, the figure is still 64% higher than in January 2022.
There will be less onion volume this year for shipping, which is expected to last throughout the winter.
Excellent quality is being reported on all sizes of storage onions.
Total U.S. onion shipments for the week of Oct. 23-29 totaled 2.52 million 40-pound carton equivalents, down 9% from 2.75 million cartons the same time last year.
Domestic truck shipments for the week of Oct. 23-29 accounted for about 1.79 million cartons, domestic rail shipments accounted for 97,000 cartons and domestic piggyback shipments accounted for 6,000 cartons.
Top domestic suppliers of onions in late October were Washington, Idaho, Oregon, New York, California, Utah, Michigan, Colorado and California.
Washington accounted for 837,000 cartons of onions the week of Oct. 23-29, or about 33% of total shipments in late October. Idaho accounted for 461,000 cartons or about 16% of total supply. Oregon accounted for 124,000 cartons or about 6% of total shipments.
New York accounted for 171,000 cartons or about 7% of total onion shipments in late October. Colorado accounted for about 97,000 cartons or about 4% of total shipments.
Snake River Produce, Nyssa, Ore., reports many Northwest U.S. onion growers saw shorter-than-expected crop volume this fall, which was even worse than last season.
Onion imports accounted for 624,000 cartons during the week of Oct. 23-29, down from 676,000 cartons the same week last year. Imports accounted for about 25% of the total U.S. onion supply in late October.
Peru alone accounted for 518,000 cartons or about 21% of total U.S. onion shipments in late October. Other countries sending onions to the U.S in late October include Canada, Mexico and Spain.
By Makenna Christensen, Software Sales Coordinator, TMS
I graduated this past May from Marquette University and, shortly after, started working at the Allen Lund Company. I have had the opportunity to jump feet-first into one of the country’s most vital industries under immense pressure since the pandemic. To say I’m a newbie would be an understatement, but the best part about being a newbie is that I offer a fresh perspective on the industry. So, here are a few takeaways from my first five months.
The most important insight I have gained is that I need to learn more. My first few months merely scratched the surface of the industry’s processes, needs, and limitations. My training has been a team effort that has exposed me to opportunities to expand my knowledge every day, and I look forward to learning more with you.
*****
Makenna Christensen graduated from Marquette University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Human Resources. She started working at the Allen Lund Company in July 2022, as a Software Sales Coordinator for ALC Logistics, the software division of ALC.
The North American market remains crucial for the blueberry industry, according to Dutch multinational banking and financial services company Rabobank. Because of the U.S. is one of the main destination markets, it is focusing on availability as demand for year-round conventional and organic blueberries remains steady.
Rabobank noted in a report on the global blueberry industry, while fresh blueberry production in the U.S. has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3% over the past 10 years and at a rate of 7% over the past 20 years, availability in the U.S. market has expanded at CAGRs of 9% and 11%, respectively.
“Since 2016, U.S. imports have consistently outpaced US domestic production as the industry has focused on providing reliable year-round availability to U.S. consumers,” the report said.
On the other hand, the appraisal states U.S. exports have remained flat or declining. Going forward, U.S. blueberry imports “will continue to grow during the U.S. offseason, potentially setting new records every year for the next few seasons.”
In 2021, exports of non-organic fresh highbush blueberries from the US were 14% higher than in 2012, showing an increasing concentration of shipments with Canada as their market destination.
Over the past decade, other markets importing U.S. produce included Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
During the January-July period of 2022, U.S. imports increased 10% year-on-year as the Peruvian season has been starting earlier every year. Also, 2021 marked the first calendar year Mexico displaced Chile as the second largest supplier of non-organic blueberries to the U.S. market .
U.S. imports from Argentina and Uruguay have dropped significantly in recent years as these countries face increased competition in the international market. The average annual unit value of U.S. imports appears to have stabilized as supplies have increased during the shoulders of the season, when prices were the highest.
Harvested acreage in selected U.S. states has almost doubled over the past 15 years, Rabobank notes. According to USDA figures, harvested area in Washington and Georgia has grown fivefold and fourfold, respectively, to over 20,000 acres in both states. Moreover, most states show a positive trend in harvested acreage.
The report states average yields of tame blueberries vary significantly by state. Volumes go from 5,000 to 6,000 pounds per acre to 10,000 to 11,000 pounds per acre, according to government statistics.
A drop of about 7% in Chilean table grape production and exports may occur this season, according to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service annual report on Chilean deciduous fruit.
In the marketing year 2022-23, USDA’s FAS Santiago office estimates table grape production will decrease by 7.1%, totaling 732,000 metric tons.
The decrease in production is a result of a decrease in table grape area planted. Planted table grape area decreased from 133,068 acres in 2011-12 to 106,500 acres in 2021-22.
For the marketing year 2022-23, the report said planted table grape area is expected at 105,000 acres, a 1.4% decrease from 2021-22.
“According to industry contacts, production of new varieties is taking the place of traditional varieties such as red globe,” the report said. “While new varieties like Allison, Arra-15, Timco, and Sweet Celebration are growing in area, more traditional varieties are decreasing at a faster rate.”
Table grape production is trending downwards because of drought and competition from more profitable crops.
Drought has caused a decline in table grape production in recent years, the report said, and the lack of water is considered a structural problem that will persist in the upcoming marketing years.
“Notably, rainfall in marketing year 2022-23 was abundant and may have mitigated more serious declines in grape production; however, those gains are not expected to be long-term,” the report said.
The most recent data from the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture’s Office of Policy and Studies shows a decrease in the planted area across all regions.
The USDA said the decrease in planted area is especially high in the Valparaiso region, where walnuts and citrus have replaced some of the planted table grape area, and in the O’Higgins region, where more profitable crops like cherries and walnuts are growing in planted area.
The USDA said Chilean grape exports will decrease by 7.1%, according to the report, totaling 565,000 metric tons.
Last season saw a 15.7% increase in Chilean table grape exports, the report said, totaling 608,110 metric tons.
Between March and May in 2022, table grape exports increased significantly over the same period in 2021.
Delays at both Chilean and international ports were longer from February to April. In March 2022, the Chilean Fruit Producers Association (FEDEFRUTA) requested priority at the Chilean port of Valparaiso for table grapes, due to the overwhelming demand for cargo and the perishable nature of their products.
During March and April of 2022, Chilean exporters reported delays in the port of Philadelphia, which was caused by the requirement for methyl bromide fumigation. The delays caused fines, demurrage, and decreased quality of some of the shipments that were delayed for long periods of time, the report said.
The U.S. is the main market for Chilean table grape exports and shipments, accounting for about half of Chilean grape exports. Shipments to the U.S. in 2021-22 increased by 21.7% to 310,033 metric tons.
China is the second largest market for Chilean table grapes, buying about 77,610 metric tons in 2020-21, or about 12.8% of total Chilean grape exports, the report said. Chilean exporters expect shipments of red globe and other red seedless varieties to China to remain strong in 2022-23, the report said.
APPLES AND PEARS
The USDA report estimates Chilean apple production at 1.03 million metric tons, a 0.6% decrease from last season based on lower planted area. Apple exports will total 605,000 metric tons in 2022-23, a 0.8% decrease from last season.
“Higher yields in the marketing year 2022-23 should offset some of the reduction in planted area and thus exports volume is expected to decrease very slightly,” he said.
The declining trend in planted pear area, will mean Chilean pear exports will decrease by 2.6% and total 112,000 metric tons.
“Pear producers face low margins compared to other crops and increasing costs have limited the planted pear area growth,” the report said. “However, existing pear producers are very efficient, and can export and obtain profits.”
Peruvian grape production and exports will have a significant increase this season, according to the USDA.
In the USDA’s annual report on Peruvian deciduous fruit estimated grape production in Peru will reach 766,000 metric tons in marketing year 2022-23, an increase of 7% compared with last season.
The USDA said Peruvian grape exports are forecast to reach a record 586,000 metric tons in 2022-23, 8% higher than a year ago. The U.S. will continue to be the lead export market, the USDA said.
In calendar year 2021, the U.S. imported 204,849 metric tons of Peruvian grapes, followed by the Netherlands with 86,846 metric tons and Hong Kong with 41,225 metric tons.
The country has a dry coast where daily temperatures consistently range between 57 degrees to 86 degrees Fahrenheit and over 12 hours of sunlight per day, year-round, the report said. That makes the region ideal for grape production.
“These conditions, combined with precision irrigation, enable Peru to mature vines 55% faster than in neighboring countries,” the report said. Grape production is mainly located in Ica (41%) and Piura (22%), with total area under cultivation is estimated at near 84,000 acres. The grape harvesting season in Peru begins in late October and ends in April.
The red globe variety continues to be the most produced (25%) grape due to consumer preference in the Chinese market, the USDA report said.
However, the report said the red globe variety has been losing ground to higher value varieties such as Sweet Globe (18%), Allison (7%), Autumn Crisp (6%), Sweet Celebration (5%), crimson seedless (5%), Jack’s Salute (4%) and Timpson (4%).
Fresh table grapes are one of the top produce exports by value for Peru, the USDA said, with 2021 export value of $1.25 billion up 23% compared with 2020.
The overall export market averaged $2,436 per metric ton for Peruvian grape exports, 4% higher than in 2020. Prices for the U.S. market averaged $2,540. Peruvian grape exports to the U.S. peak between December and January due to seasonally higher prices.
In the midst of the holiday season with numerous gatherings and celebrations centered around food, new data suggests Americans believe they understand nutrition but in reality they really don’t.
MyFitnessPal, the leading global nutrition and food tracking app for achieving health and wellness goals, shares results from its recent Nutrition IQ survey[1], uncovering that while the majority of Americans (81%) claim to know nutrition basics, 91% of the general population says they don’t have any idea of how much protein, fiber, carbs, sugar and salt they consume daily.
Overall, results found that Americans’ nutritional knowledge is fairly elementary. While most people do know the basics of serving sizes, when it comes to actually identifying foods by nutritional value, they are far off. On average, Americans overestimate calories (by 57 calories) and protein (by 5 grams), while underestimating carbs (by 4 grams) and fats (by 4 grams).
In fact, the majority (77%) of respondents mistakenly believed that two fish tacos have less calories than a cheeseburger while they actually contain 110 calories more.
“With the constant barrage of information flooding TV screens and social media feeds along with conflicting recommendations from experts, it’s no wonder that many Americans are confused when it comes to their nutritional needs,” explains Tricia Han, CEO of MyFitnessPal.
“Remembering the basics while juggling a busy daily life is precisely what makes MyFitnessPal the perfect personal nutrition coach. With its robust food database, users have the power to learn about what they’re consuming and how it’s effecting their overall wellbeing and health, all in the palm of their hand.”
Brushing up on the basics
While 78% of respondents were able to accurately identify bowel movements as a primary benefit of fiber, they were unable to name additional benefits including cholesterol management, bone support or sugar management. This doesn’t just stop at a basic understanding of nutrition; Americans also had trouble identifying nutritional benefits of specific foods:
-Despite 71% of respondents being able to identify avocados as a healthy fat, a majority (93%) of Americans underestimate how many grams of fat are in an avocado, with 66% underestimating by at least half. -Americans were more likely to overestimate how many calories are in a cheeseburger (77%) compared to the 29% who overestimated the calories in a Caesar salad. -Most Americans also overestimate the amount of protein in common foods. For example, although a banana contains only one gram of protein, the average American believes it contains 10 grams of protein. -Unsurprisingly, Americans struggled to accurately identify carbs and fats in foods, often underestimating by about four grams. The majority of Americans underestimate how much fat is in both Caesar salads and
avocado by half, while also underestimating the total carbs in bananas and black bean burgers by half.
The lack of nutrition knowledge does not come as a total surprise based on other key findings. For instance, the survey showed that a majority of Americans don’t look up nutritional values before going to a restaurant or when cooking at home.
Additionally, when preparing meals at home Americans admitted that maintaining focus on their budget and serving size/meal planning outweigh nutritional value when deciding what to cook.
About MyFitnessPal MyFitnessPal is the No. 1 global nutrition and food tracking app for achieving health goals. Since 2005, MyFitnessPal has empowered over 200 million users in over 120 countries to log food intake, record exercise activity and weight, track wellness habits, and achieve their health and fitness goals. As one of the world’s most trusted and leading resources on nutrition, MyFitnessPal’s mission is to ignite powerful nutrition and wellness change in members by empowering them to succeed on their own terms through personalized data-led insights, guidance, and unwavering support. With one of the largest food databases in the world comprising over 14 million foods, access to over 500 recipes, over 150 workout routines, 200 exercise demos and over 35 connected fitness partners, MyFitnessPal provides users with tools for positive healthy change. The MyFitnessPal app is available on the App Store and Google Play store. To learn more, visit www.myfitnesspal.com or follow MyFitnessPal on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and Twitter.
1 Research was fielded by MyFitnessPal from July 2022 to August 2022. MyFitnessPal surveyed 1,450 nationally representative participants between the ages of 18-64 across the United States.
MAS Melons & Grapes, LLC of Rio Rico, AZ. had a great November shipping Mexican melons following a shaky start in October.
MAS will be shipping mini-watermelons from Hermosillo, Sonora, until around Dec. 20.
In January MAS Melons will be shipping a nice quality crop from the states of Colima and Nayarit in southern Mexico. This includes Orange Candy melons, Honeydew melons, mini- and seedless watermelons. These will be shipped until early April.
Last November was the most successful watermelon season the company had experienced in 35 years in the watermelon business. In fact, it was the best season ever.
MAS shipped Sonoran seedless watermelons for six weeks, ending in late November.
