Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Broccoli and lettuce items from the Arizona/California desert growing regions have shown much improvement after a tumultuous start to the winter growing season, but weather-related quality challenges persist, according to Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Size, weights, and overall plant maturity have improved following a warm spell in mid-December, which is helping harvesting crews to manage some of the outer leaf defects in lettuce items.
Below are some of the defects being observed in key commodity items:
Broccoli
- Mildew pressure in some lots (variety and region-specific)
- Occasional pin rot
- Uneven sizing
Iceberg/Leaf Lettuce
- Bottom rot
- Mildew pressure
- Premature pinking
- Rib blight
- Shortened shelf-life
- Weak tip
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Tropical fruit grower and importer Tierra Suelta of Miami, FL reports plentiful volumes of premium Dragon Fruit are now available for shipping.
“We’ve entered peak Dragon Fruit season with 40,000 boxes arriving weekly,” said Steve Stutz, VP of
Sales. “For the next two months, our state-of-the-art packing facility in Ecuador will operate at capacity
to support promotable volumes of our highest quality Dragon Fruit. Tierra Suelta has the production,
logistics and infrastructure to meet the needs of major retailers throughout the holiday season and
beyond.”
Earlier this year, Tierra Suelta invested significantly in developing and building a state-of-the-art packing
facility dedicated to Dragon Fruit. The new facility is Global GAP and Primus certified. Through a
combination of automated processing and hand packing, Dragon Fruit shipments maintain cold chain
integrity and arrive to customers in North America in pristine condition.
Once considered an exotic novelty, Dragon Fruit continues to be a consumer favorite. According to
industry research, the US Dragon Fruit market is projected to reach $160 million by 2034. Tierra Suelta
is fully committed to helping retailers succeed with this popular fruit by providing an abundant supply of
fresh, sweet Dragon Fruit, along with in-store and online support to generate additional consumer
demand.
“In the winter months, the fruit’s vibrant color and festive appearance naturally enhances fruit platters
and decorative tablescapes,” said Adrian Abreu, CEO. “We have four varieties of Dragon Fruit—white,
red, yellow, and golden—all of which boast antioxidant-rich nutritional profiles. The fruit’s immunity boosting qualities also make it an ideal snack choice during cold-and-flu season.”
Dragon Fruit’s peak season will continue into February, with more limited quantities available for the
remainder of the year. In addition to Dragon Fruit, Tierra Suelta offers a wide variety of tropicals yearround. Other key items favored by consumers include Star Fruit, Thai Guava, Mamey, Tropical
Avocados, Malangas and more. Tierra Suelta’s customized packaging, merchandising support, shopper
information, and private label programs help retailers succeed in these verticals as well.
Tierra Suelta, which translates to “loose soil,” is a woman- and minority-owned, vertically-integrated
farming business that grows and ships tropical fruits, roots and specialty produce from its headquarters
in Miami.
About Tierra Suelta
Tierra Suelta, Inc. is a third-generation, Primus-certified, woman- and minority-owned grower, packer, shipper of tropical fruits. With a state-of-the-art packing and cooling facility located on their South Florida farm, and full-time agronomist on staff, Tierra Suelta provides premium fruit with exceptional flavor and quality. Tierra Suelta ships throughout North America and has a consistent, reliable year-round dragon fruit program.
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Harvesting was been canceled for Friday, December 26 due to persistent rain in California’s Santa Maria and Oxnard growing regions. Expect tight supplies and strong markets through the week of January 5-9, according to Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA
Santa Maria/ Oxnard
- These regions received over 2.5 inches of rain in 48 hours; most growers cancelled harvests for at least two days
- During this period, packer label will be substituted as needed
- Expect a demand-exceeds-supply market for the next week
- Quality is average; early signs of decay and bruising have been reported
- Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
- Expect strong demand and elevated markets through next week
Mexico/South Texas
- Volume will increase through December and reach its peak in mid-January
- Quality concerns include over-ripening and light bruising
- Size is small-medium (19 to 25 berries per one-pound clamshell)
- Expect elevated pricing and tight stocks as Mexico helps fill orders from California
Florida
- MFC Strawberries are available
- Volume is rising
- Quality is improving; concerns include white shoulders and green tips
- Size is small-medium (17 to 25 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
- Expect pricing to inch up as Florida supplements California shortages
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The Chilean Table Grape Committee, part of the country brand Frutas de Chile, updated its export projection for the 2025-26 season, forecasting a total volume of over 63,6 million 18-pound boxes. This represents a slight 6.4 percent decrease compared to the previous year, but is very much in line with the first projection, standing only 0.5 percent above that previous forecast.
The increasing volume of new varieties has driven growth this year.
This season’s challenge for Chilean exporters lies in managing exit logistics. There’s more fruit between mid February and mid March compared to last year, and less volume in from mid April into May.
New varieties are expected to reach 72 percent of the total shipments, which is higher than the 67 percent of last season and the 71 percent expected in the first estimate.
This updated forecast takes into account data from more growers, accounting for 86 percent of last season’s total export volume.
Frutas de Chile projects that by the end of the country’s export window, new varieties will total over 45 million boxes.
Taking the lead among the newcomers is Sweet Globe, with just over 7 million boxes, representing more than a 30 percent increase over last season and a 17 percent uptick versus the committee’s first estimate.
Runner-up Autumncrisp is totaling over six million boxes, showing 33 percent growth from last year and a 19 percent increase compared to the first forecast.
Traditional varieties will reach over 8 million boxes, with many deflating significantly in volume. This is the case of Thompson Seedless, which is projected to experience a decline in its volumes by over 20 percent compared to 2024, totaling slightly 1.5 million boxes. This represents a dramatic 37 percent decrease compared to the committee’s first projection.
Red Globe, another traditional variety in the Chilean market, is holding steady. Frutas de Chile projects over 9 million boxes for the grape, but the number still falls below the brand’s first estimate, showing a nearly 5 percent drop.
Challenges and market reshuffling
Compared to last season, Chilean table grape volumes are shifting, and while the Latin American market is expected to expand by 20 percent, Asia and North America will decline by 21 percent and 9 percent, respectively.
Florida Classic Growers of Dundee, FL has announced an outstanding start to the 2025–26 Florida citrus season, marked by exceptional fruit quality, and stronger yields.
“We are extremely pleased with the fruit quality this season,” said Derek Rodgers, Director of Sales and Marketing for Florida Classic Growers. “We’re seeing improved size, higher brix levels, and some of the best external appearance we’ve had in recent years. Our enhanced production practices are paying off in a big way.”
With the state avoiding major hurricane impacts so far this year, Florida Classic Growers is reporting a year-over-year increase in volume—an encouraging trend for both the company and the broader citrus industry.
“This is a very exciting time for Florida citrus and for Florida Classic Growers,” Rodgers added. “The combination of strong quality and increased availability is creating real momentum, and we’re eager to share that with our retail, wholesale, and foodservice partners.”
Florida Classic Growers is now entering peak season for grapefruit, navel oranges, and juice oranges.
About Florida Classic Growers
Florida Classic Growers, a division of Dundee Citrus Growers Association, is a leading marketer of premium Florida citrus, offering a full range of fresh grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, and specialty citrus to retail, wholesale and foodservice customers across the U.S. and abroad.
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Peruvian mango exports flooded export markets during the first ten months of 2025, with significantly higher volumes.
Fresh Fruit Peru reports between January and October, the country exported $399.5 million worth of mangoes, a staggering 52 percent year-on-year increase in export value.
In volume terms, exports reached 310,900 short tons, up a whopping 179 percent from the about 111,600 short tons shipped during the same period in 2024. While volume surged, export prices crashed 46 percent, a direct consequence of heavy availability in global markets and a rapid increase in Peru’s own seasonal supply.
Mango prices had already been under pressure through 2024, sliding steadily from about $1.27 per pound in January to roughly $0.54 per pound by year-end as oversupply—particularly from northern production regions—flooded the market. Although early 2025 brought a modest recovery, with prices climbing to around $0.86 per pound in May, they remain well below levels seen at the start of 2024.
The United States strengthened its role as Peru’s most important market, receiving $145.1 million in mango shipments—36 percent of Peru’s total export value—and about 113,400 short tons. This represents roughly double the value shipped in 2014, underscoring sustained growth over the past decade. The Netherlands followed as the second-largest market, importing $78.3 million (20 percent) and around 80,200 short tons, while Spain ranked third with $27.5 million (7 percent). Other notable destinations included Canada, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, all of which posted gains in both value and volume.
Peru’s mango industry also continues to diversify beyond fresh fruit. During the period analyzed, 55 percent of export value came from fresh mango, 38 percent from frozen mango, and 7 percent from other processed items, including dried mango, pulp, and purée. This ongoing shift toward higher-value processed formats reflects strategic efforts by exporters to reduce price volatility and expand market reach.
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Chilean fruit shipments to the United States got underway on schedule in December. The first vessel with fruit was loaded at the Valparaíso Port Terminal. This event marks the beginning of the 2025–2026 Chilean horticultural export season to the US.
On December 1, port and export representatives gathered in front of the vessel handling the first shipment of stonefruit, including cherries, along with table grapes and berries, all set to reach the US by December 12.
The reefer uses advanced technology to preserve the fruit, helping Chilean products arrive in top condition.
The Blueberry Committee of the national brand Frutas de Chile, reports service comes at a crucial moment, as blueberry production reaches its seasonal peak. The United States is the main destination for the crop, and the Koru ensures short transit times—a key factor for quality.
Last season, Chile shipped 43% of its total blueberry volume to the United States.
Frutas de Chile’s Cherry Committee, notes last year the South American country sent just under four million boxes to the US, with a possible increase coming this season.
The first boat was carrying nearly 3,200 pallets of cherries which arrived in Philadelphia on December 16.
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Pacific Northwest growers are experiencing a rebound this season, with USA Pears putting 2025’s harvest at 19 million boxes. The 78 percent from a year ago, follow a sharply reduced 2024 crop.
Oregon and Washington producers, who account for about 88 percent of US fresh pear volume, wrapped the season with broad varietal gains and heightened marketing plans heading into December.
Bearing acreage also saw an increase, with an estimated 41,000 acres, up two percent from last year, according to a May summary by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
USA Pears, which distributes ten pear varieties year-round, reports higher yields across all categories. However, Bosc pears lead the resurgence, with production up more than 250 percent over last year.
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Peruvian blueberry exports were about 70 percent through its season in early November with shipments expected to continue at a steady pace until April 2026. The U.S. continues to the leading destination for exports.
Exports are on track to hit 360,000 tonnes, with shipments holding relatively consistent to ease logistical pressures, reduce market saturation, and provide a more stable supply to buyers across the globe.
The South American giant entered the blueberry market in 2015 and has since risen to the top of the export market with record sales that surpassed $2.27 billion last year. In 2019, Peru officially became the world’s top blueberry exporter.
As of early November over 250,000 tons had already been shipped, representing a 25 percent increase over the same period last year.
Initial projections put 2025’s volumes at 400,000 tons, but estimated volumes have been lowered approximately 7 percent to 360,000 tons due to weather factors.
The even distribution of volume supports smoother logistics and operational efficiency, particularly as the blueberry peak coincides with the table grape season, sharing port and operational resources.
Peru added roughly 8,648 new producing acres over the past year, with La Libertad continuing to account for about 48 percent of national output. Other key growing regions, such as Ica, show potential to reach 20 percent in the medium term.
Peru’s extended varietal portfolio, combining early and late varieties, has allowed shipments to remain steady at roughly 19,000–20,000 tonnes per week.
The United States remains the largest destination for Peruvian blueberries at 44 percent, though this share has declined due to the 10 percent tariff. Europe now accounts for approximately 32 percent, while China continues to grow to nearly 15 percent.
California produces about 99 percent of the persimmons consumed in the US, with imports from Chile and Israel supplementing the market during the spring months.
Giumarra Companies of Los Angeles reports strong persimmon volume and outstanding quality for the holiday season when consumer interest usually peaks.
Giumarra notes overall fruit quality across its product lines remains strong, with size and total volume tracking closely with last year.
As global persimmon shipments rebound and international suppliers prepare for stronger 2025 volumes, Giumarra maintains domestic and imported fruit play complementary roles rather than competing directly.
Giumarra is one of the largest shippers of persimmons in the United States. The company points out imported persimmons operate within a different shipping window and therefore do not compete directly with domestic volume.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIES: 1-800-404-5863.