Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Historically, the produce industry gives truck transportation and trucking rates little thought, unless they are having a problem getting their product loaded, or rates are on the rise. Well, both are happening.
For example, several Northwest potato shippers have recently expressed concerns over what it cost to ship their potatoes. They say the situation has become enough of a concern in various parts of the country that more regional potato crops are being plants. Being closer to major markets means less transportation costs.
Valley Pride Sales LLC of Burlington, WA recently complained about short truck supplies and is concerned the situation will not be improving anytime soon. They also hear about a shortage of drivers. The company has seen freight rates to East Coast for russet potatoes costing $9 per 50-pound carton. This is seen as given potato shippers on the East Coast an advantage in the marketplace since they pay less for trucks.
New York Trucking Concerns
As with most companies in the produce industry, New York produce operations have seen escalating truck rates since 2017. However, shippers there are complaining less than shippers elsewhere. This is due to their location of being much closer to major Eastern metropolitan regions than Western and Midwest produce shipper.
For example, Torrey Farms Inc., of Elba, N.Y. observes the proximity to Eastern markets places their operation with many within five to six hours drive time. The company believes transportation will be a battle all summer long N.Y. While Torrey Farms typically has adequate trucks during June and July, by the start of July truck supplies already were tight this year.
New regulations that implemented electronic logging device mandates has made it harder for truckers reports Paul Marshall Produce Inc. of Batavia, N.Y. The trucking company notes two years ago the trucking lane from Elba to Chicago was pretty steady at $1,000 per load. In the summer of 2017, those rates escalated to $1,600.
At Turek Farms of King Ferry, N.Y., truck rates during the July Fourth holiday period were up 20 to 25 percent compared with a year ago. The company notes the new electronic logging device mandate rules mean adding another day to any trucking route more than 500 or 600 miles.
Significant increases in clementines from Chile are being reported….Meanwhile, tamarind imports also are on the rise.
Through the middle of July Chile had exported nearly 50,000 metric tons of clementines to the U.S., representing a 42.9 percent increase over the previous year. Of that volume, 57 percent was shipped to the East Coast.
During the same period, South Africa loaded 6,000 metric tons of easy peelers, all sent to the East Coast. By comparison, Peru has exported over 16,000 metric tons of soft citrus to the East Coast, marking a 48 pecent increase over the previous season.
Peru has also exported nearly 2,000 metric tons of easy peelers to the West Coast – a 17 percent rise.
Heavy Chilean clementine arrivals on the East Coast in late June and early July complemented 2,000 metric tons of fruit from South African and 2,600 metric tons from Peru.
Tamarind (in photo)
Tamarin is popular in Latin and Asian cooking, the ingredient has drawn broader interest lately. Tart tamarind also is an everyday item in Hispanic market areas.
Both ‘agua fresca’ and ‘tamarind’ have been trending up steadily in Google trends, especially during the summer months. This is in line with what is being seen with consumer trends on Indian flavors and fruit-infused or flavored water.
Frieda’s markets the fruit in a clamshell that informs consumers how to use it. The fruit has been included in sauces, glazes and cocktails.
Latin American candies, popsicles and the beverage agua de tamarindo also is used with the fruit. Retailers sometimes merchandise tamarind with items like ginger and turmeric or with tropical fruit.
Very light loadings of Oregon potato shipments have started….Meanwhile, New Jersey tomato shipments are in peak volume.
The early season potato harvest in Oregon is underway pretty much on schedule from normal past years.
Harvest of Oregon potatoes will continue until November. Plantings in the Klamath region was completed in early June, and that those potatoes are in their early stages.
About 13 percent of Oregon potato shipments are with table stock (fresh market), which is mostly russets with some reds and yellows, 7 percent chip potatoes, and the rest being processed russets or other varieties of the russet type.
Government figures show that in the region which includes Oregon, Washington and Idaho, about 65 percent of potatoes grown in those three states are exported internationally, and should once again include South Korea.
New Jersey Tomatoes
In 2017 New Jersey tomatoes were the third ranking crop in the Garden State, coming off of 4,000 acres, with shipments totaling 112 million pounds. New Jersey annually ranks in the top 10 in the U.S. in shipments of tomatoes.
Tomato loadings are at a peak now and that peak will continue for another week or so. However, the season will continue through October.
Growtopia of Swedesboro, NJ, was formerly known as Sorbello Farms. It is a third-generation family-owned farm that has 900 acres, with nearly 200 acres of Jersey Fresh vegetables and features its own packing facility. Growtopia/Sorbello Farms also grows asparagus, zucchini squash, cucumbers and Bell peppers throughout the year. The company ships Jersey Fresh vegetables across the United States and Canada.
Growtopia Farms is located off exit #10 on route 295 or exit #2 on the NJ Turnpike.
In 2018 the company was first farm in New Jersey to implement precision spraying through unmanned drones rather than a traditional ground sprayer. This produces a much smaller carbon footprint, a 75 percent reduction in pesticides, and thermal imaging to aid in its scouting program.
New York vegetable shipments were hindered by too much rain a year ago, but in 2018 farmers were wishing they had more rainfall. Still, crops seem to be in pretty good shape and normal shipments are taking place.
For example William Farms LLC of Marion, NY is reporting loadings occurring on a normal schedule thus far this season. In similar fashion, Turek Farms of King Ferry is reporting vegetables maturing on time, but could use some moisture.
Onion shipments for Raymond Myruski LLC of Goshen, NY should get underway the first half of August.
A look at USDA shipment figures for New York fruit and vegetable shipments showed mixed trends.
- Apple shipments, the top volume commodity in New York, were down 11 percent from 2016.
- Onions, the second-ranked fresh commodity by volume, saw shipments increase 18 percent in 2017 compared with the previous season.
- Sweet corn, ranked third in volume during 2017, recorded fresh shipments in 2017 that were up 30 percent from 2016.
- Cucumber shipments in 2017 were up 5 percent from the previous year, and fresh bean shipments were up 1 percent, according to the USDA.
- Cabbage shipments were off 3 pecent, and potato shipments were nearly unchanged from a year ago.
Green bean loadings started in early July for Torrey Farms Inc. of Elba, N.Y., while cabbage and squash have just started. Supply should be steady, and quality looks good.
At Eden Valley Growers of Eden, NY vegetable crops are coming on at about the same time as in 2017. The company started shipping lettuces, broccoli and cucumbers abut a month ago, which were followed by bell peppers and hot specialty pepper. Sweet corn loadings got underway the third week of July.
The company also ships squash and cucumbers. Eden Valley plans to ship through October, with hard squashes and pumpkins coming on in the fall. A majority of the New York vegetable shipments to markets in the Northeast which has 50 million consumers, but some product is destined to markets up and down the East Coast.
Fresh potato shipments got underway from Washington’s Columbia Basin and Oregon’s Umatilla Basin in late July with yellow and red potatoes, then with russet norkotahs.
Washington state potato acreage has been stable in recent years at about 170,000 acres, and it is expected to remain similar this year.
About 90 percent of Washington potato volume goes to processors for frozen potatoes. Much of this processing is attributed to access to deepwater ports in Seattle-Tacoma for export to Far East markets.
Strong global demand for frozen potatoes, growing at 6 to 8 percent a year could lead to an even higher percentage of spuds going to the processors in the future.
Only about 2 percent of Washington production is with organic potatoes, which is split evenly between fresh and processing uses.
Washington fresh potato shipments in 2017 totaled 22.9 million 50-pound cartons, up from 20.1 million cartons in 2016, according to the USDA.
Oregon Potato Shipments
Over the past three season Oregon potato shipments came off of 38,900 acres, where fresh volume accounts for about 12 percent of the production.
Limited water supplies could result in a decline in the Klamath Falls growing region in 2018. However, acreage could increase in the Blue Mountain-Hermiston area on the Washington border.
Oregon shipped 5.3 million 50-pound cartons in 2017, up from 5.1 million cartons in 2016. In comparison, the Idaho’s fresh shipments in 2017 were 73.9 million 50-pound cartons, up from 70.4 million cartons in 2016.
Idaho growers harvested 309,000 fall potato acres in 2017, off from 324,000 acres in 2016.
Truck Rates
The Washington/Oregon potato industry at times has expressed concerns over rising truck rates for potatoes pointing out the cost of freight has been equaling the cost of the product being hauled. For example, a common truck rate has been $9 per 50-pound carton, which is the average price of a box of russets. This is believed to be possibly opening the door for more regional potato production so receivers can save on freight rates.
By Pacific Organic Produce
San Francisco, CA — Summer has arrived and with it, the start to the Imported Peruvian citrus season! Pacific Organic Produce now offers organic Peruvian citrus. Our 2nd generation grower operates his family owned and operated farm in the Huaura river valley in Peru, known for its fertile soils. The farm began its transition to organic in 2004 and was certified organic in 2010.
The farm focuses on using natural predators to maintain fruit quality and keeps a keen eye on balancing sugar and acid for optimum flavor. Food safety is of utmost importance to the family and the farm is Global GAP certified. They are the first certified organic citrus shipper to export to the US and we’re proud to offer the fruit for now the 7th season – time to get excited for the only “off season”, certified organic, specialty citrus available in the US – Satsuma, Minneola & Murcotts.
A steady supply of 9kg Satsumas will be available July and August, followed by a steady supply of 15kg Minneola and 9kg Murcott in August and September. A poly film 12×2# bag is also available for consumer convenience. Summer is looking even better!
About Pacific Organic Produce
Pacific Organic Produce represents organic growers from the United States and Latin America, providing the finest quality in organic fresh fruit and vegetables to retailers, wholesalers and processors across North America, featuring the Purity Organic brand.
Their growers are third-party certified organic, using the most up-to-date organic and sustainable farming methods. By partnering with these growers over the past 18 years, Pacific Organic has managed to bring year-round supplies of organically raised fruits and vegetables to marketplaces across the country.
By Black Gold Farms
Grand Forks, ND – Red potato shipments will begin the first week of August at Black Gold Farms’ operation in Winamac, Indiana, located about 2 hours south of Chicago and the same distance north of Indianapolis. Focusing exclusively on red potatoes for the fresh market, the Winamac farm grows premium quality Red Lassodas which will be harvested and shipped until the end of August.
“Our Indiana farm has really done a great job creating that important bridge between our Missouri crop and the upcoming Red River Valley crop. This will be our sixth year with fresh reds in Indiana, and each year, the demand for these red potatoes increases, so we’re doing what we can to keep up with it. The timing couldn’t be better to ensure that we’re keeping our promise of providing our customers Black Gold Farms grown red potatoes as consistently as possible. This is another way we’re working to add value to our customers by being the grower, packer and shipper,” commented Keith Groven, Fresh Sales Manager of Black Gold Farms.
Nathan Libey, Winamac, IN Farm Manager says, “This growing season has definitely been a win for us. Black Gold Farms has expectations for a high-quality product, and from what I’m seeing in the field we will be meeting those expectations. There aren’t many potatoes grown around here for the fresh market, so when our product is on the shelves our customers and their shoppers get pretty excited.”
“Each of our farming locations has their own unique characteristics. But, what’s valuable is that our customers have come to know that the red potatoes they’re getting are the best quality on the market, which they’ve come to expect from Black Gold Farms” remarked Groven.
Black Gold Farms is a fourth generation family farm and grower, shipper, marketer of all types of Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes and other commodities. They have an extensive network of farm locations throughout the United States, and are headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Black Gold Farms is committed to doing business that provides for ongoing quality, innovation, service and transparency with all of their business partners.
Here’s a preview of Red River Valley potato plantings for product that will start shipping in late summer….Also, Mastrondardi Produce has opened another greenhouse operation….In Wisconsin, shipper is now distributing Badger State grown celery in the mid-west.
The USDA recently reports slightly fewer potatoes planted in North Dakota this as acres declined from 75,000 in 2017 to 74,000 acres this year. The report shows more russets and fewer red potatoes were planted in North Dakota. In 2017 reds accounted for 27 percent of the potato acres, in 2018 that fell to 18 percent. Meanwhile russet acres jumped from 37 to 44 percent. White and yellow potato acres remained relatively steady at 36 and 2 percent respectively.
In Minnesota, the USDA reported 46,000 acres of potatoes planted, 2,000 fewer than last year. Unlike North Dakota, there was little change in the potato type percentages. Russets made up 69percent of the Minnesota potato crop, the same as last year. Next were reds at 19 percent (down 1 percent), whites steady at 10 percent and yellows moving from 1 to 2 percent.
Ohio Greenhouse
Mastronardi Produce is opening a sixth greenhouse in the U.S., with a 20-acre facility in Wapakoneta, Ohio.
The farm, known as The Ohio Greenhouse Company, will operate year-round, growing Sunset-brand products for shipment to retailers in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Mastronardi Produce grows on more than 4,000 acres. The new Ohio farm gives the company the ability to triple the acreage there.
Wisconsin Shipping Celery
By Alsum Produce
Markesan, Wisconsin — Alsum Farms & Produce grower partner, Trembling Prairie Farms Inc. started harvesting Wisconsin celery July 16th with the season expected to go through the first week of October. Fields are located in the muck soils of Green Lake County.
In 2012, Trembling Prairie Farms started with 3 acres of celery and today has expanded to over 45 acres. The farm starts with a Midwestern selected celery variety that grows extremely well in the Wisconsin climate.
The process of growing celery starts in local greenhouses in late February to early April and is then transplanted in 12 different plantings. Celery planting in the muck soil begins on May 1 with the goal of the last planting to be in the ground by July 1.
California fresh fig shipments are increasing from the San Joaquin Valley with normal quality and volume expected.
During the past five years fig shipments have actually got underway around the middle of July, so the timing of the 2018 fresh fig season in California is about two weeks later than recent years. Some observers compare season to be more similar to those of 10 or 20 years ago.
Stellar Distributing Inc. of Madera is one fig shipper noting the first of two fig crops this year was very light, but the second crop looks more normal. Shipments of central San Joaquin Valley figs will continue until around Thanksgiving.
California ranks first in the nation in fig shipments, accounting for nearly 98 percent of all U.S. figs produced.
The USDA reports there were 6,100 bearing acres of figs in the U.S. in 2016, and growers shipped 31,600 tons of figs. Of that total, 26,700 tons (84 percent) were processed.
Total fresh output has remained steady in recent years, though bearing acreage has declined slightly with improving yields. Fresh fig production in 2016 was 4,900 tons, or about 10 million pounds.
Western Fresh Marketing of Madera, CA has been packing brown turkey figs out of the California desert region since late May.
Desert region fig shipments are coming to a seasonal close, although harvest in the desert will resume later in the year with the return of cooler weather.
Although growing conditions have been favorable, observers say it is still impossible to tell whether the fig crop will be up or down compared with a year ago.
California fig shipments are often shipped to markets on both coasts because of the stronger demand, particularly from Florida up the East Coast and Los Angeles to Seattle on the West Coast.
In the U.S., imports of fresh figs in 2017 totaled 920,000 pounds from Mexico, 150,000 pounds from Chile and 150,000 pounds from Peru.
That is much higher than 2010, when Mexico shipped only 50,000 pounds and Chile 10,000 pounds to the U.S.
The primary fig varieties include black mission, sierras, brown turkey and kadota, with the tiger variety also significant.
San Joaquin Valley grapes and stone fruit – grossing about $9000 to Boston.
Wild Maine blueberry shipments are underway with limited fresh berry loadings from a crop grown mostly for the processors. If you your in the area, you might get at least a partial load, but this certainly a leading volume state.
Distribution ranges primarily from Maine to New York City and Wild Blueberry Commission of Orono, ME thinks they might get a little more fresh directed fruit out of the crop because of some new consumer research.
The commission is hoping consumer trends for natural/healthful eating might lead to more wild blueberries being consumed.
The commission sanctioned research showed, “wild has a place in today’s evolving real food movement….(and) people are looking for foods that are closer to nature…..and that it would taste better…and they probably would buy more of it and pay more for it.”
Wild blueberries are grown only in Maine and Eastern Canada for a few weeks from late July until early September. About 98 percent of the crop is frozen within 24 hours of harvest to ensure year-round availability.
The processed fruit is shipped all over the country and all over the world, often incorporated into granolas, cereal bars, muffins, purees, yogurt and ice cream. However, the fresh berries are only distributed in New England and as far south as New York.
A primary reason for hoping to boost sales of fresh-market blueberries, based upon the research, is fresh fruit is more profitable to growers than frozen ones.
The commission plans to increase its “Fresh from the Wild” sampling programs in supermarkets, will invite the media to visit the barrens where they’re grown for a firsthand look at the low-bush berries, and will feature growers in promotional materials.
The wild blueberries are being promoted as being really special because of its “amazing flavor.”
They’re grown on 10,000-year-old barrens of sandy, acidic soil.