Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Volumes from California are ramping up, reaching 15.5 million pounds in week 20. In terms of imports, Colombia is second to Mexico, with 3.3 million pounds imported into the U.S. during week 20. Peru earned third place for imports with 2.4 million pounds.
The latest report from Avobook shows that in week 20, Mexican avocado exports to the U.S. dropped below 40 million pounds for the first time since 2023, reaching 33.4 million pounds.
Projections from the Hass Avocado Board show that volumes from Peru should peak between weeks 29 and 31, reaching 18 million pounds.
Colombia is currently at its peak season, and volumes are expected to remain above 1 million pounds per week until August.
In week 20, Mexican avocado exports to the U.S. were lower than in 2023, when the country exported around 45 million pounds.
California’s Avocado Commission report they expect good volumes through the July 4th holiday, after which shipments will decrease.
“Demand in April was quite strong and the percentage of the crop harvested this year is ahead of last year. In early May, about 25% of the California avocado crop has been picked,” said Terry Splane, vice president of marketing for the California Avocado Commission.
The report shows outside the U.S., Canada is the main destination of Mexican avocados. The state of Michoacan has sent 58% of its exports (excluding the U.S.) to Canada.
Jalisco exported over 60% of its avocados to the U.S. between weeks 1 and 15 of 2024, followed by Canada with just over 17%.
For Michoacan, Asia is its second-largest export market, with almost 25% of its exports (excluding the U.S.).
The total inventory of conventional and organic Hass avocados registered in the U.S. on week 20 was 67.7 million pounds of which 37 million pounds came from Mexico, 24 million from California, and 4.7 million from Colombia. The remainder came from the Dominican Republic and Peru.
Sales in week 20 rose to 53.2 million pounds.
The 2024 California Almond Forecast published May 10 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates the crop harvested in 2024 will come in at 3 billion pounds, 21% higher than last year’s 2.47 billion pounds.
The forecasted yield is 2,170 pounds per acre, up 380 pounds from the 2023 harvest.
“This larger crop estimate is what the industry expected after a productive bloom this spring, but it is also a testament to the hard work done by almond farmers throughout California during difficult times,” said Clarice Turner, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California. “Demand for California almonds around the globe continues to grow and our almond farmers constantly deliver on producing high-quality California almonds to meet that demand.”
The report said, “The 2024 almond crop experienced fluctuating, but mostly favorable weather for the first half of the growing season. The bloom began the second week in February for the early varieties. There were a handful of storms that brought rain, wind, and hail to some areas, but overall mild temperatures and excellent weather from the end of February into early March helped boost pollination. Bee hours were reported to be significantly higher than last year … There was minimal to no threat of frost damage and water allocation is not an issue for the second year in a row.
This Subjective Forecast is the first of two production reports from USDA-NASS for the coming crop year. It is an estimate based on opinions from a survey conducted from April 19 to May 5 of 500 randomly selected California almond growers. The sample of growers, which changes every year, is spread across regions and different-sized operations, and they had the option to report their data by mail, online, or phone.
On July 10, USDA-NASS will release its second production estimate, the 2024 California Almond Objective Report, which will be based on actual almond counts in approximately 1,000 orchards using a more statistically rigorous methodology to determine yield. If the 3.0 billion pounds holds, it would be the second largest crop on record.
This Subjective Forecast comes two weeks after Land IQ’s 2024 Standing Acreage Initial Estimate found that bearing almond acreage in California has decreased about 600 acres from the previous year to 1.373 million acres.
Stemilt Growers of Wenatchee, WA is completing its transition from California cherry shipments to Washington cherry loadings.
As one of the nation’s largest suppliers of sweet cherries and a leader in Washington cherries, Stemilt grows conventional and organic cherries and three main types of sweet cherries that include dark-sweet, rainiers and proprietary Skylar Rae cherries. The marketer also is a leader in organic cherries.
Washington began loading cherries in early June and have a good supply in June and July. Washington’s cherry volume will taper off significantly in August because of a reduced late-season crop.
Stemilt says it has the longest season in the industry, with continuous supply daily that starts with its California cherry crop in late April and goes all the way through high-elevation cherries in Washington in August.
Last year’s cherry crop was difficult because of an overlap between California and Washington and compressed harvest windows in Washington, but 2024 crop is different.
California had a strong crop last year and returned with another one. The crop is currently estimated at 10.2 million 18-pound equivalent boxes. The first-round industry estimate in the Northwest was 20.9 million 20-pound equivalent boxes, which is an increase over last year.
The main difference is that the two states should see less overlap and retailers will have more shipping weeks in the season.
July will see good supplies of cherries, but volume will taper off quickly by August.
This is because high altitude orchards experienced a freeze in January that led to winter damage and significantly reduced crops. Excellent fruit quality and size is expected.
Washington’s late-cherry season is short, so the season will wrap earlier than normal. Sizing should be strong with average crop loads on the tree. Stemilt will harvest fewer Washington cherries this year because of the late-season loss.
The California Table Grape Commission sees no reason why there shouild be good volume grape shipments though the end of the year. The season started in the Coachella Valley the week of May 13.
Hurricane Hilary hammered the grape crop last season, the industry during the peak harvest period, which caused a loss of about 30% of the initial projection for the crop. It was the smallest crop on record since 1994 for the state.
This year, the industry expects good volumes from June through the beginning of January.
The grape commission expects harvesting is to begin in the San Joaquin Valley in late June or early July, lasting into early December. Shipments of table grapes typically peak between August and November.
The initial estimate for the 2024 California table grape season is 94.4 million 19-pound boxes, down slightly from the 2020-2022 average of 96.6 million 19-pound boxes.
Florida avocado growers are predicting for the new season volume similar are slightly above a year ago as they gear up for the 2024-25 harvest.
The Avocado Administrative Committee of Florida estimate final production totals for the 2023-24 season will total 21,235 metric tons, down 6.6% from the 2022-23 season.
Florida’s avocado season typically runs from June through December, with some available in January, said Peter Leifermann, vice president of sales and marketing for Homestead, Fla.-based Brooks Tropicals.
Brooks Tropicals of Homestead, FL begins harvest this week and expects a good crop.
The offseason has been abnormally dry and hot, but no wind damage has occurred and this should result in excellent quality.
Brooks Tropicals grows about 30 different varieties of tropical avocados in about 1,200 acres of groves.
J&C Tropicals of Doral, FLexpects to start harvesting around the Fourth of July, which would be a normal start. The company also expects great quality for this season.
J&C Tropicals sources green-skin avocados from a number of local farmers and will have Florida avocados until January.
New Limeco of Homestead, FL expects to be shipping avocados through March. It grows several varieties of green-skin avocados in Florida.
Florida growers say they produce a distinctive avocado, with the primary difference between Florida avocados and avocados from California or Mexico is the fat content.
Florida avocados have about 3 grams compared to 4.6 grams of fat for hass avocados.
The size, taste and productivity also are different.
The average Florida avocado weighs over 1 pound per piece and has a milder taste than other avocados.
The California stone fruit season kicked off in early May with available apricots, nectarines, and peaches.
Organically Grown Co. (OGC) of Eugene, OR reported they had stronger volumes of peaches by mid-May.
Cool nights have provided excellent color, as well as good sugar-to-acid ratios, which results in sweet and juicy fruit.
Overall, growers report the weather has been very good this season, which allowed the harvest to start about a week earlier.
Most California stone fruit is in season between May and mid-September, with plums going a bit longer until October.
Last year, California stone fruit hit the peak of its season in mid-August.
California produces more than 80% of the nation’s stone fruit.
70% of America’s peaches are grown in the state, along with 95% of apricots, 95% of fresh plums, and 99% of nectarines. With some counties in the Central Valley devoting as many as 38,000 acres to stone fruit production, California is known as the stone fruit state.
At a national level, the USDA said in September 2023 U.S. production in 2023-24 is forecast down 76,000 tons to 574,000 the lowest level in at least 40 years.
The projection was due to the three largest producer states ‐ California, South Carolina, and Georgia ‐ all experiencing damaging weather, with South Carolina and Georgia suffering from a second consecutive year of destructive freezes.
Peak avocado exports for the Columbian traviesa season is occurring and will continue to do so through June. However, the season takes place from April through August for the country, which is a global supplier of hass avocados, the Colombian Avocado Board reports.
Currently during the peak of this season, the U.S. market can expect arrivals of more than 50 containers a week of avocados from Colombia, with volume decreasing gradually over the course of the season, according to a news release.
The growth of the Colombian avocado market comes on the heels of continued year-over-year increases of double and triple digits and maturity of the Colombian growing regions. Today, more than a dozen packing sheds and more than 400 growers are certified to ship hass avocados to the U.S. market, the Colombia Avocado Board says.
Colombian avocados are available year-round and due to the region’s tropical climate and have varied blooms and harvest times with two distinct harvest seasons. The seasons include the traviesa season and the main season that runs September to January.
Colombia has produced and distributed avocados for decades, however, the growth and popularity of Colombian avocados has expanded due to access to U.S. market starting in 2018 along with expanding country infrastructure improvements, the Colombia Avocado Board said. “The 2023 season concluded with its highest shipment totals ever, exceeding 32 million pounds. For 2024, shipments are projected to increase by over 50%, reaching a total volume of 50 million pounds for the entire year.”
The first vessel carrying South African summer citrus, the MSC Houston, is delivering the fruit from Capetown, South Africa, and is expected to arrive in the U.S. at the Port of Philadelphia this week. Weekly shipments will continue through the end of October, according to a news release. The shipping season launches with clementines followed by navel oranges and star ruby grapefruit.
As of the conclusion of the 2023 season, South African citrus exporters marked 25 years of shipping fruit to the U.S., and what’s more, shipments of citrus fruit from South Africa have more than doubled since 2019, according to a news release.
“We are officially 25 years on the sunny side and commencing into our 26th season with a healthy crop of sweet and delicious citrus fruit headed to the port of Philadelphia in the coming days and more to come throughout the summer months,” Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus from South Africa, said in the release.
“We are serving one of the world’s most demanding markets, and adapting to the current state of the supply chain on any given day is a key factor of our business model. We have gained much momentum with our collaborative approach and intend to keep it going in 2024,” Conradie said.
Summer Citrus from South Africa says it is positioned well to sustain shipping options to cater to the overall growth of the program, splitting its volumes equally between dedicated conventional vessels and container vessels in the Port of Philadelphia. The team’s group of focused service providers span the total supply chain in the U.S. and South Africa.
“I intend to stay in contact throughout our summer with shipping, supply chain and production updates via our Trade Newsletter, which is meant to be shared,” Conradie said. “Any stakeholder seeking to stay in close contact with our program is invited to subscribe.”
The summer season is right around the corner, and the Westside Produce of Firebaugh, CA and Classic Fruit Alliance is anticipating a strong start to their Arizona and California domestic melon harvests, following a successful offshore Guatemalan season. Initial shipments from Arizona started in mid-May.
“2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year,” notes Garrett Patricio, President of Westside Produce. “Entering its second full year, the Westside/Classic Alliance is planning to service more year-round customers through its growing programs. Spring plantings in Arizona were on time, and we expect a bountiful harvest….through June, which coincides well with wrapping up the import season and transitioning customers to domestic supplies. Summer plantings in California have navigated the rainy season well and with increased heat units, will provide a fantastic early-July start on the Westside of the valley.”
With a strong planting start, the alliance is also excited to introduce new varieties and specialty type melons, alongside their traditional supplies. “We are eager to present our new Golden Honeydew to our domestic programs, allowing us the opportunity to supply additional customers with new varieties as well as the trialing of additional specialty melons,” states Tommy Conrado, VP of West Coast Sales at Classic Fruit. “Continuing to serve customers with our traditional cantaloupe and honeydew melons as well as being able to provide them with more options based on variety or specialty, all with excellent quality and flavor profiles, continues to add to our alliance value of providing melons all year long, 52 weeks a year.”
“All in all, assuming yields stay consistent with past years, we expect marketable supplies with increased contract business providing a solid foundation for our overall program,” continues Garrett Patricio. “As we wrap up the offshore season with Classic Guatemala, which produced excellent quality fruit all winter long, we are excited to kickstart harvest out here in the West for the domestic spring/summer season.”
The Chilean Citrus Committee estimates that global citrus exports from Chile will reach 383,000 tons this season, a 4% decline from 2023. According to the figures provided by the Committee, clementine and mandarin volumes will decline by 35% and 9% respectively. Oranges will decrease by two percent, with lemons increasing by 33%.
Peak citrus volumes in the U.S. will commence in June and continue through October.
The Committee forecasts clementine volume of 40,000 tons, which is 35% less than the 2023 season. States Monserrat Valenzuela, manager of the Citrus Committee, “This is a result of water restrictions in the main clementine-producing areas of the Coquimbo region (Region IV).” Of the 4,000 hectares of clementines planted in Chile, 70% of them are concentrated in Region IV.
Meanwhile, mandarin volume is expected to reach 160,000 tons, a decrease of 9% from last year. Orange volume will be similar to 2023, with a two percent decrease to 93,000 tons. The only category with anticipated growth is lemons, which is expected to grow by 33% to 90,000 tons.
Regarding the overall anticipated decrease of 4% for Chilean citrus exports this season, the president of the Citrus Committee, Juan Ortúzar, comments, “We are building an industry better adapted to climate change, with a strategy aimed at facing new production challenges, and with a focus on more sustainable production.”
There are 27,813 hectares of citrus orchards in Chile, distributed between the Atacama and O’Higgins regions. The Metropolitan Region has the largest planted area, reaching 8,361 hectares. As for the total planted area, lemons lead with 9,199 hectares nationwide, followed by mandarins with 7,800 hectares and oranges with 6,600.