Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
The 2026 Chilean kiwifruit season is underway with significant growth prospects. According to Carlos Cruzat, president of the Chilean Kiwi Committee, the country expects between 175,000 and 180,000 tons thanks to the start of production in new plantations and good fruit setting. “We believe that we are going to grow by 20% this year compared to the previous one,” he says, highlighting that production in 2025 stood at 147,000 tons.
The growth in production volumes doesn’t seem to be a cause for concern for the sector. Cruzat says that “the global kiwifruit market is very buoyant,” with demand “easily outstripping supply” for several seasons. Even demanding markets such as the United States or Europe have been absorbing a lot of fruit. “New Zealand shipped almost 15% more fruit to Europe, and it was nicely absorbed with very good prices,” he says.
“Factors such as the exchange rate or logistical costs are seen as more important than the increase in production, as these can have a greater impact on prices,” he says.
Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA) announces its 2026 season is underway, with the first arrivals expected at U.S. ports in late June.
Approximately 170 containers, primarily Easy Peelers and some Navel Oranges, are scheduled to arrive during the early part of the season. The MSC Carmen will be the first direct vessel into Philadelphia, followed by weekly arrivals through both containerized shipments and dedicated conventional vessels.
“The port of Philadelphia is a critical point of entry for our fruit as many of our importers and repacking facilities are located in New York and Pennsylvania,” said Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus from South Africa. “Ensuring reliable shipping partnerships remains a top priority for the program, helping us maintain a steady supply throughout the season.”
Since October 2025, MSC has operated a standalone service between South Africa and the U.S., including a seasonal Philadelphia stop to support distribution throughout the Northeast. New this year, MSC vessels will add weekly stops into Savannah, Georgia, creating an additional entry point for fruit destined for the Southern U.S. market.
“The addition of Savannah expands our ability to serve customers in the south while providing greater flexibility across our supply chain,” Conradie said. “Our focus is on meeting the needs of importers and customers through efficient, reliable logistics solutions.”
Alongside its partnership with MSC, SCSA has renewed its agreement with Seatrade. The first conventional vessel under that program is expected to arrive in Philadelphia shortly after the Fourth of July holiday weekend, further supporting continuity of supply during the summer citrus season.
From a production perspective, the group expects lower volumes this year, especially with Navel Oranges, following the record-volume season in 2025 while continuing to match the available supply with the demand of the market. SCSA continues to follow its long-standing business model of aligning available supply with market demand to help support a balanced and sustainable program.
“It is important to acknowledge the amount of planning and coordination required to execute a program like this. Negotiations and planning workshops with shipping providers begin months before the season starts,” noted Conradie. “By March, retailers are typically ready to discuss imported citrus programs, and from that point forward we build our shipping plan and align all logistics partners to ensure consistent weekly shipments and arrivals throughout the season.”
Fruit quality also remains a primary focus. Only premium-quality citrus is selected for shipment to the U.S. market to help ensure a positive eating experience for consumers and continued confidence in the category.
While parts of South Africa experienced heavy rainfall during May, the impact on the Western Cape, the primary growing region supplying citrus to the U.S., has been manageable with lower volumes predicted for the 2026 season.
Although weather-related conditions caused some minor supply chain delays, the group has maintained its planned volume projections for the season and made only limited adjustments to vessel schedules to keep shipments on track.
About Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA)
Summer Citrus from South Africa represents a group of South African citrus growers who consolidate their logistics, marketing, and sales efforts to bring the finest citrus fruit to market during the U.S. summer season. Established in 1999, the group provides Navels, Midknights, East Peelers, Star Ruby Grapefruit, and Cara-Cara oranges to the U.S. market.
The California Walnut Board of Folsom, CA has released its April 2026 shipment report showing continued growth in walnut shipments during both the month and the 2025/26 marketing season.
Total April shipments reached 142.0 million pounds in-shell equivalent, up 25.1 per cent from 113.6 million pounds in April 2025. Kernel shipments are converted to in-shell equivalent using a 42.5 per cent crackout ratio.
Compared with March 2026, total April shipments declined 14.6 per cent from 166.4 million pounds. In-shell shipments decreased from 30.5 million pounds in March to 26.6 million pounds in April, while kernel shipments declined from 57.8 million pounds to 49.0 million pounds.
Year-on-year growth was led by in-shell shipments, which increased from 5.6 million pounds in April 2025 to 26.6 million pounds in April 2026, a rise of 378.0 per cent. Kernel shipments increased 6.9 per cent from 45.9 million pounds to 49.0 million pounds.
Kernel shipments accounted for 81.2 per cent of total volume on an in-shell-equivalent basis, compared with 95.1 per cent in April 2025.
According to market participants, the higher shipment pace reflects improved supply availability and efforts by sellers to move inventory in a lower price environment, rather than stronger consumer demand.
Through the first eight months of the 2025/26 marketing year from September to April, total shipments reached 1.19 billion pounds in-shell equivalent, up 22.9 per cent from 965.6 million pounds during the same period last season.
In-shell shipments more than doubled during the period, increasing 108.7 per cent from 133.8 million pounds to 279.1 million pounds. Kernel shipments rose 9.1 per cent to 385.8 million pounds.
The industry has sold 76.1 per cent of 2025/26 receipts through April, based on total receipts of 1.62 billion pounds, including both shipped volumes and outstanding commitments of 324.4 million pounds in-shell equivalent. Conventional walnuts represented 98 per cent of receipts, while organic walnuts accounted for 2 per cent.
When including carryover inventory from the previous season, the industry has sold 70.1 per cent of the total available supply.
According to industry sources, shipment activity continues to reflect efforts by handlers to move available inventory following last season’s lower production levels.
A brief, unexpected supply gap is emerging in the blueberry market as California heat disruptions, Mexico’s post-peak decline, and a slow Pacific Northwest start converge. We anticipate this to last into early next week and begin to slowly stabilize as the week progresses, relates Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA in a press release.
North Carolina
- Volume is falling rapidly; the season will be ending this next week
- Quality is good; some early breakdown has been reported
- Expect elevated prices for the rest of the season
New Jersey
- Abnormally low temperatures have delayed the season by three weeks
- Growers expect up to 50% damage caused by the freezing weather
- High markets are anticipated for the entire season; stocks are scarce
Mexico
- Supplies are tightening; production is light
- Quality is good; some early breakdown has been reported
- Prices are elevated
California
- California season has ended
Pacific Northwest
- New crop harvesting has begun in a small way this week
- Expect yields to increase as the season progresses
- Quality is good
- Prices will begin at high levels, then inch down as supplies increase
Seald Sweet is once again importing lemons from Argentina and volume is expected to be similar to a year ago.
The importer, based in Vero Beach, FL, reports Argentinian fruit is expected to ship through August, quality-pending, mixed in with Chilean fruit starting to arrive in July. Both early reports and early shipments indicate strong quality on lemons, even though rains in the Argentinian season had raised quality concerns.
It is characteristic of Argentinian fruit to peak on 95s, and 115s with less small fruit available. Meanwhile Chile is the opposite with more 140s, 165s.
Keystone Fruit Marketing of Greencastle, Pa, a division of Progressive Produce, got an early June start for the Walla Walla sweet onion season out of Washington state.
Grown in a unique region and cultivated by third-generation growers, Walla Walla sweet onions are known for their exceptional sweetness and consistent quality.
“One of the things that sets Walla Walla sweet onions apart is where and how they’re grown,” said Dan Borer, Keystone Sales and Commodity Manager. “From the region itself to the fact that growers produce their own seed, it all contributes to delivering one of the sweetest onions available.”
Market conditions are expected to remain steady, with key promotional opportunities around Independence Day and throughout July.
The California almond crop is projected to remain steady during the 2026 season, with a total volume of 2.7 billion pounds, down one percent from the previous year. Yield is forecasted to remain steady at 1,940 pounds per acre, unchanged from 2025.
The 2026 season forecast published by the US Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) was made based on subjective grower data compiled between April 24 and May 7 from around 500 participants selected at random.
“This is an early estimate, and we will see how the crop progresses over the coming months,” said Almond Board of California (ABC) President and CEO Clarice Turner.
In a press release published by ABC, the executive emphasized that even with a slightly tighter supply, the Golden State remains the world’s leading supplier of the fruit, a status California growers will defend despite higher costs, regulatory pressures, and supply chain challenges.
Bearing acreage in California decreased one percent by 15,227 acres from the previous year to 1,385,870 million bearing acres.
The Florida Thai guava season is underway at Tierra Suelta, the Homestead-based tropical fruit grower whose 250-acre, family-owned ranch supplies one of the produce category’s fastest-growing specialty items into North American retail.
“Our Thai guava is grown with a full-time agronomist overseeing every crop, which gives us a reliable harvest of crunchy, tart fruit that’s fresh and flavorful,” said Adrian Abreu, CEO of Tierra Suelta.
The executive explained that the fruit’s peak season is late summer, “when people are looking for a crisp, refreshing snack.”
Industry data support the CEO’s summer hunch. A March 2026 industry report from 360 Research Reports says US guava consumption grew by 19 percent from 2019 to 2024, mainly because of higher demand from Hispanic and Asian communities.
Another industry oversight report from Business Research Insights estimates the global guava market, worth about $2.69 billion in 2024, will grow to $4.84 billion by 2033, with a 7.5 percent annual growth rate.
Tierra Suelta grows, packs, and ships its Thai guava from an on-site 15,000-square-foot Primus-certified warehouse on the Homestead farm. Fruit is harvested six days per week and pre-cooled to extend shelf life, reduce shrinkage, and preserve flavor.
Most fresh Thai guava in America is imported, which means longer wait times and less predictable supply.
By offering Florida-grown fruit, Tierra Suelta can deliver faster, provide a steadier supply, and meet retailer demand for locally sourced specialty items.
Sunny Cal Farms of Reedley, CA expects a strong season for its organic Thomcord grapes, shipping in mid-July, according to a press release.
Conventional and organic Kyoho grapes are expected to begin shipping in early August, followed by Niabel grapes in mid-August. CJ will also be expanding his very popular text cards to the Organic Niabel Concord and Kyoho grape packs.
The grower of specialty heirloom and gourmet grapes, announces that organic Niabel Concord and Kyoho grapes will be available for the first time during the summer 2026 season, adding to its already popular Organic Thomcords, known for their flavor, as well as grower CJ Buxman’s personal texts to end customers who want to reach out directly to the farmer.
“When we first introduced our conventional Niabel Concord and Kyoho grapes, consumers responded extremely favorably to their fragrance and flavor,” said CJ Buxman, owner of Sunny Cal Farms and a third-generation San Joaquin Valley grower. “That demand encouraged us to plant for the organic market four years ago, and 2026 will mark our first organic harvest.”
Niabel Concord and Kyoho are heirloom seeded grape varieties known for their distinctive sweet flavor profiles balanced with pronounced tannins. Demand for the conventional versions has been driven by their intense aroma, rich flavor, and the growing consumer interest in polyphenol-rich foods.
“Every grape variety we grow is selected for flavor and fragrance,” Buxman said. “Many modern table grape varieties have been bred primarily for size, sweetness and shipping durability. Our Niabel Concord and Kyoho grapes deliver the full, classic ‘grapey’ flavor profile that many consumers remember and increasingly seek out.”
Niabel Concord grapes offer a rich sweetness balanced with bright acidity and a flavor reminiscent of fresh grape juice. Kyoho grapes are intensely aromatic and sweet with a subtle tart edge.
Both varieties are traditional slip-skin grapes, allowing consumers to pop the pulp from the skin for a sweeter taste or eat the whole grape for a more complex flavor experience. The varieties also contai
Mexico’s main avocado crop is tightening; growers are delaying harvests to prolong the season until the Loca season begins in July. California and Peruvian stocks will be shipped to help fill orders, according to a press release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Mexico
- Expect limited supplies of the main crop as the season winds down
- Dry matter in the main crop ranges from 35-38%, which is common towards the end of the season.
- This higher percentage of dry matter causes fruit to ripen at a faster pace than normal. Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
- New crop Loca crop supplies will not enter the market until July
- The Loca crop is known for its lower dry matter and smaller sizes
- Mexican avocados account for 83% of U.S. demand
- Size, grade, and Country of Origin substitutions may be requested to fill orders
- Expect elevated markets and tight supplies through June
California
- Expect lower volume as California helps fill the void from Mexico
- The California season is past its peak and will wind down in late July
- California avocados account for 10% of the U.S. demand
- Size and grade substitutions may be requested to fill orders
- Expect high prices and low yields through June
Peru
- Volume is low
- The Peruvian season will run through August
- Peruvian avocados account for 7% of the U.S. demand; most is program business