Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
If you are hauling are importing kiwifruit right now, it is coming from New Zealand.
Currently, kiwifruit sold in the United States is being supplied by New Zealand through October, after which the domestic California harvest enters the market, followed by imports from Italy. U.S. goods trade with New Zealand totaled an estimated $10.1 billion in 2024.
Zespri reports the improved outlook to increased yields, improved fruit sizing for Green and RubyRed varieties, and added volume from newly producing orchards, particularly for SunGold and RubyRed.
“We have another bumper crop of more than 200 million trays from New Zealand this season, and our sales programs have started well, particularly in Europe and North America, where we’ve seen strong demand,” according to Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake.
Zespri is also advancing key strategic initiatives, including efforts to increase grower ownership.
As part of a recent share alignment initiative, the proportion of growers who hold shares in Zespri has risen to more than 60%, up from 48%. The increase follows a 2024 grower vote in which 91% supported Zespri’s offshore expansion strategy.
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released the 2025 Acreage Report on June 30. The report showed a 2% overall decline in potatoes acres planted in 2025 (912,000 acres) compared to 2024 (930,000 acres).
Most states saw very modest planting changes this year compared to last year. Colorado (55,000 acres) and Wisconsin (68,000 acres) saw potato acreage gains of 1,000 acres each. North Dakota’s potato acres declined by 1,000 acres to 72,000 acres, while Maine (52,000 acres), and Minnesota (41,000 acres) saw 2,000-acre planting declines.
Washington saw the steepest single-state, year-to-year declines in 2025 at 145,000 acres compared to 160,000 acres last year.
The report notes that Washington potatoes “were emerging ahead of schedule with 95% of the crop emerged as of June 1.” Planting in Idaho, the largest potato-growing state with 315,000 acres planted (steady with 2024), was also noted as ahead of last year with 95% of the crop emerged as of June 15.
Even with the year-to-year changes in Washington, the report didn’t contain any significant surprises for Blair Richardson, CEO of Potatoes USA.
“The relatively minor adjustments to planted acreage estimates in the other states are likely a function of the regular ups and downs related to crop rotations, projected demand, contracted acreage with processing companies and other factors,” he says. “I did not see anything that seemed out of the ordinary.”
Aneberries, (the National Association of Berry Exporters in Mexico, are planning for a record-breaking season, forecasting a 25% increase in shipments to the U.S, rising from around 250,000 tons in 2024 to approximately 300,000 tons by the end of the 2024–2025 season.
Aneberries sees itself as a supplier of strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries to North America, thanks to its unmatched logistics. No other country rivals Mexico in delivering fresh berries to U.S. markets as quickly. Mexico already accounts for nearly 87.8% of all strawberries imported into the U.S., making up 14.8% of the total global export value in fresh berries Aneberries notes while the national berry cultivation area has shrunk, from over 148,000 acres in past years to an estimated 118,700–123,500 acres by November 2025, the industry is pivoting toward improved productivity and variety, rather than seeking increased land use. This strategic shift supports the strawberry export boom without expanding acreage.
Export trends vary across berry types: blueberry exports remain steady at about 63,000 tons despite reduced growing area in Jalisco and northern Sinaloa. Raspberry exports are expected to dip 3%–4%, down from 120,000 to approximately 115,000 tons. In contrast, blackberry exports are projected to rise by 8%, reaching between 80,000 and 85,000 tons, up from 77,000 tons.
Mexico’s berries aren’t just destined for the U.S, other key markets include Canada, Europe, Japan, and various Asian countries. Notably, blueberry shipments to Japan recently doubled, climbing from around 700–800 tons to approximately 1,600 tons.
Todd Greiner Farms Packing, LLC. (TGF) of Hart, MI, a leading grower/packer/shipper of Michigan produce, announces its 2025 sweet corn season. Shipment started the week of July 20th and peak volume expected the week of August 17th, just in time for Labor Day promotions.
This season, TGF will be offering premium bi-color sweet corn, commonly known as “butter and sugar” corn, celebrated for its vibrant color contrast and sweet, juicy flavor. With the company’s recent expansion into full-scale sales and marketing services, retail partners can expect enhanced support, consistent communication, and seamless order fulfillment.
“Todd Greiner Farms is excited to bring another season of high-quality Michigan sweet corn to our retail customers,” said Blake Hansen, National Sales Manager. “With our expanded sales team and marketing capabilities, we’re better positioned than ever to support retailers with a product that’s both a consumer favorite and a strong summer promotional driver.”
While TGF has long been recognized as a national leader in asparagus, Michigan’s reputation as an agricultural powerhouse extends well beyond. The state ranks second only to California in agricultural diversity, and is a top-10 producer of sweet corn, supporting strong seasonal supply programs for retailers nationwide.
According to Tastewise, sweet corn enjoys a long seasonal conversation with over 400,000 consumers engaging on the topic, peaking in both social media buzz and sales between May and October. Its versatility, nostalgic appeal, and summer-friendly preparation make it a reliable staple for produce departments throughout the season.
“We understand what sweet corn means to consumers in the summer months,” said Steve Rudat, Account and Supply Chain Manager. “It’s more than just produce—it’s tradition, backyard barbecues, and family memories. Our goal is to help retailers meet that demand with a high-quality product, shipped fresh and on time.”
Todd Greiner Farms Packing, LLC., located in Hart, MI, is a family-owned and operated fruit, vegetable, and evergreen grower/packer/shipper. Since its founding in 1994, TGF has maintained a reputation for quality and integrity, operating two packing/shipping facilities and holding a Primus Labs – Superior food safety rating. TGF’s diverse product offerings include asparagus, cherries, zucchini, sweet corn, peaches, hard squash, pumpkins, apples, and evergreens.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Because of oversupply and tariffs, the U.S. lemon industry experienced devastating price drops., but is now back to a more normal situation.
Interfresh of Orange, CA, reports prices have increased due to the tariffs issues being settled calming and fewer shippers. Interfresh noted at one point lemon f.o.b. prices were the lowest in 30 years.
With less competition there are fewer people selling lemons which is leading to higher prices. There also have been fewer lemon imports.
Imports from Argentina are now arriving, but more focus is being placed on markets such as Europe.
In March 2025, the U.S. implemented several rounds of tariffs, primarily targeting imports from Canada, Mexico and China. This had an impact on lemon exports.
The oversupply from California’s District 1 affected pricing, and the tariffs’ effect on exports exacerbated the issue. Plus, the decrease in U.S. lemon exports at the beginning of the year meant that the domestic market had to absorb a good amount of the supply.
Lemon supplies are now much tighter than in January and February. In the next three to four months, the greater demand and lower supply will lead to an increase in pricing.
KEYSTONE MARKETING
Keystone Fruit Marketing of Greencastle, PA has announced the launch of its inaugural Mexican lemon season.
As the exclusive marketer for this new program, Keystone is excited to offer high-quality lemons under its KFM Citrus label.
“This is a new and exciting chapter for us,” said Matthew Gideon, Sales and Commodity Manager at Keystone. “Our Mexico onion grower planted oranges and lemons a couple of years ago, and this season marks the first time our lemons are commercially viable. It’s a natural extension of our existing relationship, and we’re eager to build on our partnership moving forward.”
The program began in July and will run for approximately three months, with consistent weekly volumes expected throughout the season. Lemons will cross through South Texas and be distributed across the United States and Canada.
Initial production will start with 40-50 acres, with plans to expand to 100 acres by the 2026 summer season. Bulk cartons will be packed in Mexico, while a full lineup of consumer pack options will be available through Keystone’s third-party warehouse in South Texas.
Keystone Fruit Marketing is a division of Progressive Produce. Progressive Produce is a year-round grower/packer/shipper of fresh produce. We grow thousands of acres throughout North and South America of potatoes, onions, asparagus, citrus, and other fruits and vegetables and provide outstanding service 365 days a year.
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Peruvian asparagus exports are showing a significant recovery due to better weather conditions boosting plant productivity and the implementation of corrective agronomic management, such as recovery fertilization and harvest rescheduling, according to Agraria.
The recovery of Peruvian asparagus has led to exports of 39,436 tons, a 42 percent increase over the previous year in May . This large Peruvian production has allowed it to cover destinations primarily in the United States and Europe.
While the year is looking favorable, 2025 could be even better for asparagus due to the Spanish season, which has been shortened by persistent rains, practically ending in May. This opened a window for Peru to obtain stronger prices that started in June.
Projections indicate that the Peruvian campaign could exceed previous year’s volumes by more than 30 percent.
The top destination for Peruvian asparagus is the U.S. and its high demand for this vegetable. In that country, annual consumption exceeds 300,000 tons, and local production barely covers between 10-15 percent of demand.
The United States’ main supplier is Mexico, which has managed to position itself in the conventional section and is developing the premium variety segment. In fact, the U.S. market shows a growing trend toward preference for the latter, which represents a challenge for Peru, whose supply remains concentrated in conventional varieties.
In Europe, the competition is different: major producing countries such as Spain, Italy, and Greece supply their domestic markets. However, consumer preference for asparagus year-round allows Peru to take advantage of being able to supply the market during the months when those countries are off production.
Even so, the margin for growth is more limited in this market, as the gap between production and demand is not as wide as in the United States, with only 15-20 percent of what they have to import from outside Europe. Peru’s strategy on this continent is to take advantage of periods of shortage in the European calendar.
As California pear farmers prepare to begin harvest of the nation’s first pears of the year, shippers expect a return to normal volume following last year’s short crop.
The California Pear Advisory Board met last week and established a pre-season crop estimate of 2.4 million 36-pound box equivalents for all pear varieties grown in the state. Last year’s 1.7 million package crop was the smallest crop in the past five years.
“We are excited to be able to offer retailers a full crop of pears in the coming season,” said Chris Zanobini, Executive Director of the California Pear Advisory Board. “Weather conditions have been optimal for producing excellent quality pears.”
The first pears from California are expected to begin harvest the last week of June in the River pear growing district with Sunsprite and Starkcrimson varieties.
“Bartletts are the main variety grown in California and they are the most popular with shoppers,” said
Zanobini.
California is expecting to harvest 1.6 million packages of Bartlett pears this season, which compares to 1.2 million packages that were harvested last season. Bartlett pears are also the preferred variety for processing and California growers expect to deliver 75,000 tons to the processing sector.
“The industry is expecting volume to be ideal for early-season retail promotions running from mid-July through October,” Zanobini emphasized. “As always, the California River pear growing district will be the first fresh pear of the year just as pears imported from South America are finishing. Retailers should plan to begin featuring fresh, new crop pears from California as soon as they are available in mid-July.”
Zanobini explained that Bartlett harvest in the River district started July 10, with harvest in the Lake and Mendocino counties beginning July 31.
Growers are also expecting good volume of Golden Russet Bosc pears this season as well along with a mix of other pear varieties including Bosc, Comice, Seckel, French Butter and red varieties.
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California Giant Berry Farms is gearing up for an auspicious Pacific Northwest blueberry season, with the company expecting increased volumes of both conventional and organic blueberries from the region. The firm plans to initiate harvests across Oregon, British Columbia, and Eastern Washington, aiming to maintain a steady supply through early September and throughout the summer.
Tim Youmans, Vice President of Sales, noted that the current season has shown promising volume projections from northern growing areas. To support quality standards, California Giant will ship directly from its growers and utilize its Santa Maria facility’s Unitec sorting line, which sorts berries based on various quality metrics.
“We’re very pleased with the current blueberry season and the anticipated strong volumes from our Northern growing regions,” said Youmans. “Our focus remains on providing a year-round supply of the highest quality blueberries. The upcoming harvests will allow us to maintain excellent availability for our retail and foodservice partners, and ultimately, for consumers.”
In a release, the company also highlighted the growth of jumbo blueberries within the market, driven by changing consumer preferences. Nielsen data indicated double-digit increases in both sales and volume, with jumbo berries gaining a larger share of the blueberry market.
The Association of Hass Avocado Producers and Exporters of Peru (ProHass) has revised its projections for the remainder of the 2025 season.
The estimated export volume is 655,000 tons, representing a 20 percent reduction compared to the March projection. Despite this, the total volume is expected to increase by 30 percent compared to the 2024 season, according to a press release.
The association indicated that, despite the trend toward lower volumes compared to previous reports, the sector maintains favorable prospects for its main international destinations.
For example, despite the increase in shipping rates and the application of a 10 percent tariff in the North American market, exports to the United States are projected to grow by 75 percent compared to the previous year, representing an 18 percent share of the total exported volume.
Europe, for its part, has consolidated its position as the top destination market, with a projected growth of 24 percent compared to the previous year. It is worth noting that Peru is the leader in this market, with a 42 percent share. Meanwhile, other strategic markets such as Chile, China, and Japan continue to strengthen their position as key destinations for Peruvian Hass avocados.
ProHass noted that this positive performance occurs in a challenging context, marked by rising logistics costs and the downward revision of initial estimates, but despite these factors, the sector maintains a solid foundation, supported by operational efficiency, market diversification, and compliance with high quality standards.
“These figures confirm that, even in an adverse environment, the joint effort between producers, exporters, and authorities allows the pace of growth to be maintained,” said José Antonio Castro, president of the association.
ProHass reported that the sector will continue monitoring the performance of international markets to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of Peruvian exports.
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Tomato shipments are slowly increasing on the East Coast as smaller regional harvests begin; overall prices are slightly higher due to the impact of past poor weather, according to a press release by Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA. The company is currently shipping Markon First Crop (MFC) Tomatoes.
Rounds
- East Coast volume is low in Tennessee and Virginia, but starting to climb; local summer harvests will help supplement orders in mid-July
- Western North Carolina is shipping sufficient quantities of vine-ripe supplies
- California’s San Joaquin Valley is in full production; large sizes are most prevalent
- Mexico’s Baja crop is dominated by small sizes (6×6 and 6×7) as the season progresses
- Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas) is shipping consistent supplies; quality is merely average due to past inclement weather
- The United States government abolished the Tomato Suspension Agreement and instituted a 17.09% duty on Mexican fresh tomatoes that began July 14
- Markets have not reacted as the domestic U.S. season is well underway
- The main Mexican growing season will begin in October; expect more of an impact at that time
- Expect slightly higher prices due to East Coast delays caused by poor weather
Romas
- East Coast volume is low due to recent poor weather
- The Tennessee and North Carolina seasons have begun; supplies are limited
- California’s San Joaquin Valley is in full production; quality is good
- Central Mexico yields are steady; quality is fair
- Baja growers are shipping limited quantities of small-sized fruit
- Expect steady prices until East Coast stocks increase over the next week
- Grape & Cherry Varieties
- Overall supply levels are low; yields should increase next week when the Virginia season begins
- Smaller local harvests are starting in Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina, adding to overall volume
- The Baja and Central Mexico regions are shipping adequate supplies
- Expect slightly lower markets next week
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- ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.