Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Watermelon volume across the U.S. has improved significantly throughout the first two weeks of July, following tight to short supplies for most of June. This was due primarily to a major shortfall in production from the Southern Arizona and California crops, and a much earlier end to spring production from Mexico, according to Stella Farms of Scottsdale, AZ.
The company reports production continues at above average levels from the Southeastern U.S. and new growing areas start in Missouri, North Carolina, and Central California, watermelon supply levels are now average, to above average, for this time of year.
However, overall supply is lower compared to this time last year when volumes were very, very high. Overall, supply is still about average from Western U.S. growing regions, and a bit above average from the Eastern U.S. growing regions.
In the East, production has transitioned from Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama to the next growing regions in North Carolina, Missouri, and Arkansas, and that transition is going smoothly with all new regions starting on time, as expected. There also is production which started recently from Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, and Delaware, which is on time, if not a little early.
Shipments of finger limes from California got underway in late May, which is an early start, according to Shanley Farms of Morro Bay, CA as the company is sending produce to both domestic and international markets.
This year’s production looks similar to a year ago. Steady volumes of finger limes are expected through December barring any extreme weather conditions. Peak loadings typically occur in the fall.
Shanley Farms this season has formed a partnership with Fruition Sales of Orange Cove, CA which is now handling sales. This allows Shanley to focus on the growing side of the business.
California’s San Joaquin Central Valley hit peak shipments about three weeks ago with good supply on field bell peppers.
Baloian Farms of Fresno, CA reports an early start from Fresno, which was about two weeks earlier than normal.
Coastal bell pepper supplies also underway with an earlier than usual start.
Overall, the vegetable grower/shipper has similar volume to last year. How long the season will run is up in the air. If there is cooler weather in the fall, the season show go longer. However, it could be an early end to the season because of the early start.
Bell pepper shipments also have started in the in the Carolinas, while Georgia has finished up production. Other regions such as Tennessee and New Jersey also have starting and Canadian field production is also underway.
New York cabbage shipments got underway the second week of July, pretty much on time, relates Hansen Farms of Stanley, NY.
New York started after the main growing regions of North Carolina and Georgia finished up. Michigan may have started a little earlier than New York, plus there is Canadian production. All of this is leaving supply average though it is developing.
A significant part of Hansen Farms’ business is with contract customers. The company notes high fuel rates are difficult for growers and shippers. However, those costs also are hurting everyone from the consumer back to the farm. Processors and receivers are having to pay extra money for trucks, noting that the company is currently installing a new packing line for retail packs which should help with efficiency.
Greg Paul Produce Sales of Stockton, CA began shipping potatoes about two weeks earlier than usual this season and expects to continue until September 5.
The strategy was for some of the shipper’s proprietary varieties to get into an earlier window than they have in the past and it it successfully worked out.
The company has a minor increase in acreage because of some field rotation ability. However overall in Northern California, there was a significant acreage decrease following the departure of a major grower/shipper/packer in the region with approximately 1,000 acres going out of business last year.
n turn, demand is expected to be strong for red, white and gold potatoes for a number of reasons, including the closure of that business.
The current Russet potato situation is also factoring into that demand. While Russets are not a type of potato the company grows/ships, what happens with this variety impacts the category given its dominance in the category.
The lightest volume in Mexican mango shipments to the U.S. in recent years is occurring as production continues to fall well below historical levels. While mangos remain available, reduced production has limited promotional opportunities and pushed prices sharply higher, according to Continental Fresh of Miami, FL.
Volumes from Mexico are down substantially compared to a normal year. Recent production in one week ran about 44 percent below the same week last year. Shortages are being felt throughout the supply chain.
The smaller crop is primarily the result of poor flowering and unfavorable weather conditions earlier in the season, particularly across western Mexico, where several key production regions have harvested significantly fewer boxes than expected.
At present, Mexico is the only significant origin supplying fresh mangos to the U.S. market, leaving buyers with few alternatives. As a result, growers and shippers are carefully managing inventories to fulfill existing retail and foodservice commitments rather than pursuing additional spot market opportunities.
A prolonged heat event is expected to impact the Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys this week, with temperatures climbing into the upper 90s and low 100s in inland growing areas. Persistent heat stress is expected to accelerate crop maturity and create additional quality and shelf-life challenges across several commodities, according to a July 28 press release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Markon inspectors are monitoring commodity and value-added items closely for heat-related challenges such as:
Strawberries
- Increase in soft fruit and bruising susceptibility
- Reduced shelf-life potential
- Lower yields
- Smaller berry size
Broccoli
- Increased hollow core and/or pin rot
- Higher Diamondback Moth pressure
Lettuce (Iceberg, Romaine, Green Leaf)
- Dehydration
- Increased long core/seeder, and internal burn pressure
- Stronger insect pressure (aphid, gnats, lygus, thrip)
- Greater variability in case weights due to additional trimming
- Premature pinking in value-added salads
- Reduced shelf-life potential
Tender Leaf Items
- Accelerated growth leading to weaker cell structure
- Increased yellowing, dehydration, and seeder development (arugula, cilantro)
- Reduced shelf-life potential
Impacts from the heat wave could last for over two weeks. Ordering for quick turns is highly recommended and as always, strict cold-chain management is critical for maximizing quality and shelf-life.
Mexico continues to be the main supplier of limes to the U.S. and Canada on a year around basis, but Columbia and Peruare are seen playing bigger roles in the future.
Go Fresh Produce of Toronto, Ontario reports weather factors in Mexico has disrupted Mexican lime shipments for much of the first five months of the year, but supplies and quality have become more consistent since June.
In addition to Mexico, Colombia also exports limes to North America. The country continues to increase volume and providing more consistent, and reliable supplies. Lime volume from Colombia during the first quarter of 2026 was very stable and the country increased its export volume with 20 to 25 percent compared to the same period in 2025.
Peru shows a considerable increase in export volume to the U.S. market with a growth rate of 60 percent. Although the quality of arrivals as well as the size curve have been more stable this year, the country remains an origin that’s in a learning and improvement curve.
Both Honduras and Guatemala maintain stable volumes within a moderate range, and the North American market continues to absorb their fruit consistently.
Valencia supply from California is strong. “We’re seeing that the crop is heavier than last year. Depending on the growing district, some areas are seeing a lot more volume than others. Overall it’s a good, solid crop this year, and the market doesn’t seem to be straining to absorb it,” says C.J. Buxman of Sunny Cal Farms, Reedley, CA.
The industry as a whole is underway with Valencia production, with some starting as early as April. Production will continue through October for many. What is seen in the industry right now is similar to historical trends in that harvest tends to come down during the beginning summer months with some customer programs on pause. At the end of July and onward, both harvest and volume start to pick up to match demand.
Meanwhile, while Valencia demand is good, prices are indicative of the greater supply meeting that steady demand. “Prices aren’t as high as last year—nothing astronomical out of the gate, but they’re holding steady,” says Buxman, noting the demand for smaller fruit is stronger than larger fruit, which is typical in most years on Valencias.
With Mexico wound down, the crop is a key one in the state. “California Valencias hold a very important place in the juice market, especially given how much volatility there’s been in the global orange juice supply,” Buxman adds.
Argentine citrus exports experienced significant growth in the first quarter of 2026, according to the country’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries. Lemons spearheaded the surge, with volumes rising 76 percent and export value soaring 129 percent to $26 million.
Total citrus shipments reached 50,085 tons—a 50 percent increase in volume. Total export value hit $108 million, marking a 36 percent year-on-year rise, according to data from the Undersecretariats of Agri-Food Markets and Regional Economies of Argentina.
Lemons are currently in peak season, whereas the orange harvest is not expected to start until late July.
Despite adverse weather, the season is benefiting from strong demand in the Northern Hemisphere.