Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
While most reports on Ontario vegetable shipments seem to focus on greenhouse-grown products, Canadian government statistics show the province has plenty of field-grown produce.
There were double digit increases in 2017 over 2016 with Ontario-grown beets, Brussels sprouts, green onions, radishes, parsnips and celery.
Additionally, Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food Rural Affairs reported double digit acreage declines for carrots, cauliflower, sweet corn, field-grown tomatoes, squash and zucchini, field-grown cucumbers, pumpkins and squash, bell peppers, and lettuce.
The Holland Marsh muck region, located about 30 miles north of Toronto, grows about 75 percent of vegetables produced in Ontario and 65 percent of vegetables grown in Canada.
The region produces nearly four pounds of carrots for every Canadian per year.
Shipments begin in May with lettuce, and carrots follow in June and while vegetables will continue through November. Root vegetables from the region are marketed year-round.
Located on about 7,000 acres, the muck soil of the region grows 66 commodities and is the second largest carrot producing region in North America region. Onions, celery, herbs, lettuce, cauliflower and cabbage also are among the top crops. In addition to the muck soil, there are about 6,000 vegetable acres in the surrounding highlands.
The region has about 126 growers and 10 packing facilities.
The region was settled by the Dutch and still includes many family businesses and small companies. Asian vegetables have found traction in recent years.
The government reported the top acreage crop for Ontario vegetables in 2017 was sweet corn, with 19,003 acres reported. That was down 15 percent from 2016 acreage and off 18 percent from 2015, according to government statistics.
Ranking second among commercial vegetables for Ontario in 2017 was green peas, with 14,450 acres harvested, 7 percent lower than last year and 13 percent less than 2015.
Ranking first in sales among field-grown crops, field-grown tomatoes were No. 3 in acreage among Ontario vegetable crops in 2017.
Tomato acreage last year was 13,408 acres, down 13 percent from 2016 and off 2 percent from 2015.
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THIS PAST WEEK A FEW CALIFORNIA PRODUCE LOADS TO THE EAST COAST WERE GROSSING $10,000 AND MORE!
Examples: Desert vegetables to Baltimore – $9700 – $10,000; Kern District and Ventura County vegetables to Boston – $9400 – $10000; Salinas Valley vegetables to Boston – $9700 to $10200; and Santa Maria vegetables to Philadelphia – $9200 to $10000.
By Black Gold Farms
Grand Forks, ND – Black Gold Farms will be harvesting fresh red potatoes in the boot heel of Missouri starting the middle of June. With ideal planting and growing conditions and plenty of moisture, this year’s crop looks to be one of the best yet.
Black Gold Farms will be harvesting, packing and shipping their own red potatoes out of Arbyrd, MO farm and packing facility until the middle of July. Yellow potatoes are also available to ensure a full product offering.
“We’ve been growing red potatoes nestled in the bootheel of Missouri in the Mississippi River Delta for over 10 years, and every year we see the quality get better. This year is no different.” commented John Halverson, COO of Black Gold Farms. “We’ve been able to learn a lot about growing potatoes in the summertime heat from over 30 years of chip potato experience in warmer climates. We’ve been able to transfer those leanings to the fresh market. While there are many differences, the principles are the same: use the right variety, get the timing correct, push them through the wash line and into the cooler as quickly as possible, and then, ship to our customers while they are still at their freshest” Halverson concluded.
Keith Groven, Fresh Sales Manager of Black Gold Farms states, “Our customers really find value pulling fresh reds out of Arbyrd, MO as the quality is consistent and we are geographically central to many of the major cities which provides locally grown opportunities that only we can offer. Customers recognize that Black Gold Farms is the red potato expert, especially this time of year, in this particular geography.”
Black Gold Farms’ Indiana red potato crop will be ready at the end of July for a smooth transition and keeping customers supplied with the freshest red potatoes available. This allows for Black Gold Farms-grown product to be supplied to customers year-round. “Each of our farms has their own unique characteristics, but what’s really valuable is that our customers know that the red potatoes they’re getting and the service they’ve come to expect is all Black Gold Farms” remarked Groven.
By Stemilt Growers
Stemilt’s apricot shipments will start around June 20th and run through the month of July, with the best volume occurring from June 25 and running through July 15.
“Sizing has done a complete reversal from last year,” states Brianna Shales, Stemilt communications director. “While last year brought smaller sizes and increased bag promotions, this year bulk is in. Sizing is going to be large with apricots in panta packs.”
Approximately 60 percent of Stemilt’s apricot crop is grown and certified organic. Stemilt’s Artisan Organics™ volume is heavy to the beginning of the season with the Robada variety.
After July 4th, focus shifts to the Rivals and Perfections apricot varieties.
According to the Organic Trade Association, organic produce has been holding its position as the largest organic food category, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all organic food sales in 2016.
“Organic share will continue to rise,” states Shales. “Apricots offers a great summertime organic offering to support organic category growth.”
Stemilt’s Artisan Organics™ stone fruits, which also include peaches and nectarines, come from the Douglas family orchards in the southeastern region of Washington State. The Douglases transitioned to organic more than a decade ago, citing the arid climate with cool nights as the main reason why they can grow dessert-flavored fruit organically.
“Summer is fast approaching and we are optimistic that the sizing, dessert flavors, and high percentage of organic apricots coming from the ideal Washington locale will make for a great season,” Shales says
About Stemilt
Stemilt Growers is a leading tree fruit growing, packing and shipping company based in Wenatchee, Washington. Owned and operated by the Mathison family, Stemilt is the leading shipper of sweet cherries and one of the nation’s largest suppliers of organic tree fruits. Stemilt has also demonstrated a commitment to sustainable agriculture and social responsibility since 1989, when founder Tom Mathison launched the company’s Responsible Choice program.
Yakima Valley apples – grossing bout $7000 to New York City.
Another normal volume shipping season is seen for Ohio vegetables, while a double digit decline is seen for Northwest cherries. Meanwhile, Arkansas produce shipments get underway in July.
Ohio Vegetable Shipments
Michael Farms of Urbana, Ohio will begin shipping cabbage and green beans in by late June, sweet corn in mid-July and potatoes in early August.
Holthouse Farms of Willard, Ohio has been shipping radishes and cilantro since late May, lettuces since early June, and just started squash. Chili peppers will come on in early July. The company also ships bell peppers and eggplant and will have hard squash in the fall.
Buurma Farms of Willard, Ohio has been loading radishes since Memorial Day, and has since added mustard greens, collard greens, kale, dill, cilantro and other items. The company has just started shipping red leaf, green leaf and romaine.
NatureFresh Farms of Leamington, Ontario starts shipping from its Delta, Ohio, greenhouse at the end of September and goes through the beginning of July 2019.
NatureFresh grows beefsteak, cherry, grape, roma and cocktail tomatoes, as well as tomatoes on the vine.
Northwest Cherry Shipments
The crop estimate for Northwest cherries is for 22.6 million 20-pound cartons, down 15 percent from a year ago.
In 2017 there were shipments of 26.5 million cartons. An average crop size is 22 million boxes.
Stemilt Growers Inc. of Wenatchee, WA picked its first cherries about a week ago.
California is wrapping up cherry shipments and the crop will be down significantly from last year — about 3 million boxes compared to a record 9.6 million boxes last year. Normal is about 6 million boxes.
Arkansas Produce Shipments
H.C. Schmieding Produce Co. LLC of Springdale, AR expects to start watermelon shipments around the 4th of July and go through the first week of August. The company expects to have light volumes of corn the first week of July, running through the end of the month.
Gem Tomato & Vegetable Sales of Boca Raton, FL is now shipping Arkansas tomatoes and will continue for another month.
Arkansas has roughly 1,200 acres of watermelons, 800 acres of tomatoes.
South Africa citrus is arriving at Philadelphia on the East Coast. Meanwhile, the latest Florida citrus crop report shows another decline.
Seven Seas Fruit of Iselin, NJ received it’s initial clementines the last week of May, is expecting higher volume for late mandarins this season as more orchards come into production, and is looking forward to its first arrival of navels the week of June 11th.
While initial arrivals will be light in volume, significant increases are expected during the last two weeks of June. Arrivals also will include easy peelers, cara cara oranges and grapefruit.
The USDA Foreign Agriculture Service Global Agricultural Information Network December reports South African citrus, soft citrus (tangerines/mandarins/clementines) production will drop 8 percent this season from last season because of drought.
However, exports to the U.S. have increased more than 10 percent each of the past four seasons, and should again this season.
South African clementines should arrive just as California is finishing, and navels should see a two- or three-week gap from when California navels end and South Africa gets into the market.
Florida Citrus
by Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam has a statement today after the USDA released its monthly citrus crop forecast for the 2017-2018 season:
“Today’s citrus crop forecast is another reminder of the continued struggles of Florida’s iconic citrus industry since Hurricane Irma inflicted unprecedented damage last year. But thanks to the collaborative efforts of the United States Department of Agriculture, Florida’s agriculture industry and our elected leaders, a much-needed disaster relief package is on the way to help growers get back on their feet.”
The USDA’s forecast of 44.95 million boxes of oranges for the 2017-2018 season is 50,000 boxes down from the April estimate and 9 million boxes down from the 54 million boxes predicted at the start of the season. The forecast represents a decline of more than 80 percent since the peak of citrus production at 244 million boxes during the 1997-98 season.
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam announced that Florida citrus sustained more than $760 million in damages. In February, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed a spending bill that included more than $2.3 billion for agricultural assistance.
by Stemilt Growers
WENATCHEE, Wash. – Stemilt’s 5 River Islands™ cherry brand and premium Rainier cherries are returning to grocery stores soon with large sizes and dessert qualities to offer consumers a memorable eating experience before the California cherry season wraps up in mid-June.
“While the volume of the 2018 California cherry crop was underwhelming for growers and retailers alike, both fruit size and qualities have made for overwhelmingly positive shopper experiences,” said Roger Pepperl, Stemilt marketing director. “That will continue in the final weeks of the California season because of two special offerings now available from Stemilt: California-grown Rainier cherries and 5 River Islands™ brand dark-sweet cherries.”
Harvest is underway now for Stemilt’s Rainier cherries, with a premium pack available now through June 9th. Pepperl said the company’s Rainiers were peaking on large sizes with nice color and exceptional flavors.
“Carrying our California Rainier cherries in stores the next two weeks will bring incremental sales to the produce department,” said Pepperl. “Opening shelf space now with these incredible eating fruits will also help in a seamless transition to Washington State’s Rainier cherry crop. It’s a great experience to offer your stores and your shoppers.”
This is the second year of availability for 5 River Islands™ cherries, which come straight from the California Delta, a well-known region of islands and waterways that are all connected by five rivers. Stemilt only packs large sizes and high-quality Lapins, a dark-sweet cherry variety, from the Delta region in this brand.
About Stemilt
Stemilt Growers is a leading tree fruit growing, packing and shipping company based in Wenatchee, Washington. Owned and operated by the Mathison family, Stemilt is the leading shipper of sweet cherries and one of the nation’s largest suppliers of organic tree fruits. Stemilt has also demonstrated a commitment to sustainable agriculture and social responsibility since 1989, when founder Tom Mathison launched the company’s Responsible Choice program.
Both of the Carolinas are looking for improved volume with produce shipments through the summer.
Despite a strange start for spring weather in South Carolina, shipments of fruits and vegetables are looking favorable as we progress into June.
Some of the best news regard South Carolina peach shipments which should be much better than the past two seasons. While peach volume early in the season will be lighter than normal, once we get into mid June loadings should be good through July and into August.
A similar scenario is seen for South Carolina watermelon shipments. Growers have increased acreage for 2018 as the harvest kicks off in mid June and runs through August.
Cantaloupe shipments are very similar, starting around June 10, with good volume expected through the month right on into July. A couple of growers also have started growing some honeydew, which hasn’t been done in a number of years.
South Carolina has 22,000 acres of the product that should be shipping through the summer. Three decades South Carolinas had 40,000 acres of melons.
There also are good crops being reported with sweet corn, broccoli, and peppers.
Titan Farms of Ridge Spring, SC started very light peach shipments May 7th with loadings continuing until around Labor Day.
The company started its broccoli season the week of April 30th and will be wrapping up its season in the week or so. Bell pepper and eggplant shipments are just getting started and will continue until about the third week of July.
North Carolina Produce Shipments
Jackson Farming Co. of Autryville, N.C. is just winding down its strawberry shipments. Jackson has been shipping broccoli since early May that will continue through June. The company will kick off its cantaloupe season about June 15th and going through August; seedless watermelons starting June 30th and running through September; and eastern honeydews starting around July 5 and finishing the first week in August.
North Carolina also has a number of other items ranging from colored potatoes, to onions, sweet potatoes, green bell peppers, open-field colored bell peppers, cucumbers, squash, cabbage, chili peppers, tomatoes and eggplant.
Ham Farms of Snow Hill, N.C. started its harvest of red and green cabbage the week of May 21st.
Ham Farms also expects to begin watermelons the first week of July and hard squash in mid to late July. Sweet potatoes will be underway in late August or early September.
Harvest start dates were later than last year, but Georgia produce shipments gathered steam in May and June should be even better.
March and April cool weather resulted in fewer shipments than year, when Georgia growing regions experienced a warm spring. The top two months for Georgia produce shipments in 2106 were June, with 48 percent of the state’s total yearly volume, and July, with 19 percent.
Ken Corbett Farms LLC of Lake Park, GA had 2018 harvest dates running 10-14 days behind normal. J&S Produce of Mount Vernon, GA has had a similar experience with squash and zucchini.
Through April 2017 Georgia had shipped 4.1 million pounds shipped of squash. By the end of April this year zero pounds of squash had been shipped. Georgia squash shipments last year totaled 49.7 million pounds.
Through April 28, Georgia blueberry shipments totaled 2.8 million pounds, down from 66 million pounds at the same time last year. For the week of April 23-28, Georgia accounted for 20 percent of total U.S. blueberry volume, down from 34 percent at the same time last year.
Total Georgia blueberry shipments last year totaled 22.5 million pounds.
Georgia cabbage shipments of the week of April 23-28 totaled 2.2 million pounds, down from 6.3 million pounds the same time last year. Georgia accounted for 15 percent of total cabbage supply for the week, down from 36 percent of total supply a year ago.
Season-to-date shipments of Georgia cabbage through April 22 totaled 2.4 million pounds, off from 11.1 million pounds at the same time a year ago. Total Georgia cabbage shipments last year totaled 61.5 million pounds.
For the week of April 23-28, Georgia onion shipments totaled 16.8 million pounds, down from 19.7 million pounds the same week a year ago.
Georgia onions accounted for 16 percent of total U.S. onion volume, compared 17 percent at the same time a year ago.
Season-to-date shipments of Georgia onions through April 28 were 25 million pounds, down from 57.1 million pounds at the same time last year.
Georgia onion shipments last year totaled 283.6 million pounds.
There were exception with Georgia produce where loadings were actually ahead of year ago.
Georgia is a significant producer of greens. For the week of April 23-28, Georgia shipped 3.3 million pounds of greens, up from 2.7 million pounds the same week last year.
The state’s shippers accounted for 65 percent of U.S. greens volume, compared with 43 percent of total U.S. shipments at the same time. Total greens shipments from Georgia topped 80 million pounds in 2017.
Georgia broccoli shipments through April 28 reflect bigger volume in 2018 so far compared with 2017. For the week of April 23-28, Georgia accounted for 2.3 million pounds, up from no reported shipments the same week a year ago.
Georgia accounted for 8 percent of total U.S. broccoli supply the week of April 23-28.
Season-to-date shipments of Georgia broccoli through April 28 totaled 14.7 million pounds, up from just 3.3 million pounds the same time a year ago. Total broccoli shipments all of last year totaled 4 million pounds.
Georgia carrot shipments the week of April 23-28 totaled 1.9 million pounds, up from 1.6 million pounds the same week a year ago.
Georgia represented just 7 percent of total U.S. carrot supply for the week, slightly up from 6 percent the same week a year ago. Total Georgia carrot shipments in 2017 totaled 19.4 million pounds.
Loadings of fresh summer berries are expected across the nation from the major shipping areas.
Shipments of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries across pr0duction areas of the U.S. have been less as cool weather prevailed during much of the growing season, although is changing. Excellent volume should be coming.
Salinas Valley strawberries from the Watsonville area accounted for over 1,000 truck loads last week and the peak of the season hasn’t even arrived yet.
Although California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville, CA is now shipping Georgia blueberries. Next month it will be moving to California for product. California shipments will then eventually will shift to the Pacific Northwest.
Oregon Berry Packing Co. of Hillsboro, Ore. will begin blueberry shipment in mid- to late June or early July, depending on weather. The normal start date is in late June.
New Jersey blueberry shipments are expected to be good, although no record numbers are seen, which should around 38 million pounds of fresh berries and up to 8 million pounds for the freezer market. Harvest should start June 15 or 16, and continue until August 15.
MBG Marketing of Grand Junction, MI expects to start Michigan blueberry shipments in mid-June, a week to 10 days later than usual. Peak volume should be occurring for the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Wish Farms of Plant City, FL finished its Florida Blueberry shipments in mid May and now has good volume coming out of Georgia.
California Giant has just transitioned its blackberry and raspberry programs from Mexico to Watsonville, where shipments will continue all summer.
Giumarra Cos. of Los Angeles now has good volume with Georgia blackberries and blueberries, which will continue through June.
California strawberries are grossing about $6000 to Chicago.
Here’s some loading opportunities ranging from melons in Arizona, to Georgia onions and imported Lemonade apples from New Zealand.
Cantaloupe and honeydew shipments are underway from Maricopa, AZ. Santa Rosa Produce is expecting to ship a normal volume of over 4 million boxes of melons from its 5000-acre farming operation.
Vidalia Onion Shipments
Vidalia onion growers started harvest April 20 this year compared to April 12 last year.
Vidalia on shipments have been underway for over a month now and a fairly normal crop of about 5 million cartons is still expected to shipped. USDA figures show Georgia onion shipments the week of April 29 to May 5 totaled 390,000 40-pound cartons, down 22 percent from 497,500 cartons the same week a year ago. Season-to-date shipments of Georgia onions through May 5 totaled 1.01 million 40-pound cartons, down 48 percent from 1.925 million cartons shipped at the same time a year ago. The season got underway about a week later than in 2017, which accounts for much of the smaller volume to date. Last year Vidalia shipped about 5.7 million 40-pound units of sweet onions.
Vidalia growers have storage capacity of about 3 million cartons with shipment expected to continue through the summer.
New Zealand Lemonade Apples
by Giumarra Companies
LOS ANGELES – The Giumarra Companies is entering its third season as the exclusive North American supplier of Lemonade™ variety apples with increased volumes.
“We know from market research that apples are still one of consumers’ most-purchased items in the produce department. Consumers are seeking new, exciting flavors and Lemonade is a unique variety that fits the bill,” says Jason Bushong, Division Manager of Giumarra Wenatchee. “It’s a striking yellow apple and the flavor is refreshing and tangy-sweet with a hint of effervescence.”
Lemonade is currently grown solely in New Zealand, with plans to expand to North American growing regions. Bushong cites the apple’s fresh crop attributes as a differentiating factor.
First shipments of Lemonade will arrive at the end of May to both East and West Coast ports. The season will conclude in August.
About the Giumarra Companies
The Giumarra Companies is a leading international network of fresh produce growers, distributors, and marketers under the Nature’s Partner brand.