Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
The California/Arizona weather forecast calls for a heatwave in the desert vegetable growing region, according to a news release by Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA
Temperatures will climbed into the mid-80°s through last weekend and may reach triple digits by Wednesday, March 26.
Growers will adjust harvesting schedules and pack ahead to avoid peak temperatures as much as possible. Markon inspectors will be closely evaluating commodity and value-added desert row crops while working with suppliers to minimize heat-related challenges.
Markon First Crop (MFC) Lettuce items will become difficult to attain as the desert season winds down; Markon Best Available (MBA) will be substituted as needed.
California Crema label avocados will be shipped exclusively by Index Fresh of Corona, CA into the summer. The company is a global avocado production, distribution and marketing company.
California Crema avocados are the Gem variety — gold-flecked, creamy and in season annually between April and July, while supplies last, according to a news release.
Index Fresh said California Crema avocados are harvested by California farmers, pack flavor and nutritional density and pair resilience with responsibility. The offering is sold bagged and in bulk with eye-catching, innovative packaging, the company said.
Index Fresh cites the rich, creamy avocados are already staples of California cuisine and the go-to ingredient for restaurants and home chefs that want to deliver on exceptional flavor. The company partners with farmers who have invested years in cultivating a promotable level for the 2025 crop.
Index Fresh said Gem avocados are often associated with farming practices that strive to minimize their environmental impact, like growing on compact trees that have a more dense and efficient fruit set, producing more within a smaller footprint. The fruit grows inside a lush canopy, where they are insulated from direct sun and more resilient to extreme weather, the release said.
Minneola Tangelos loadings are underway from Bee Sweet Citrus, Inc. of Fowler, CA with a strong supply of the specialty citrus variety available.
“Minneola Tangelos are one of the many specialty citrus varieties that we offer to our customers, and this season’s crop eats well,” stated Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Representative Joe Berberian. “The fruit’s sugar levels are high, and the variety possesses the perfect blend of sweet, tangy flavor.”
Minneola Tangelos are a cross between a grapefruit and a tangerine and are in season now through April. Popular for its pronounced neck and distinct red-orange rind, the variety is excellent for anyone looking for a healthy, versatile snack.
“Minneolas are incredibly unique and shouldn’t be overlooked by consumers this season,” stated Bee Sweet Citrus Director of Communications Monique Mueller. “Visually, they’re easy to tell apart from other citrus varieties, and their distinctive flavor caters to citrus fans who appreciate both sweet and tangy flavors.”
Bee Sweet’s Minneola Tangelos are available in bag and bulk items, and the company reports that the fruit’s sizing complements 2#, 3#, and 5# bags. In addition to Minneolas, Bee Sweet Citrus also has Navel oranges, Heirloom Navels, Cara Cara oranges, Royal Red oranges, mandarins, lemons, Meyer lemons, pummelos and grapefruit are available.
Early season exports of mangoes from Mexico have been very light in volume, but that is changing.
In mid-February, Mexican growers had only exported about 1 million pounds of the fruit compared to 1.8 million pounds at the same time a year ago. However, Ciruli Bros. LLC, of Rio Rico, AZ reports the light numbers will not add up to this year’s exports being short.
In fact the opposite is true.
February cold weather and some light rain, which are very unusual this time of the year, have resulted in the slow start to the season.
Volume is now picking up significantly along with larger than normal sizes for the fruit thanks to ample rainfall during the growing season.
Ciruli Bros. now is importing mangoes from Chiapas, Oaxaca and Michoacan.
G-M Produce Sales LLC of Hidalgo, TX, launched its Mexican mango season the week of Feb. 17, and it will continue until September. The company ships all the commercial mango varieties — haden, tommy atkins, kent, keitt and ataulfo.
The Mexican mango harvest for Mission Produce of Oxnard, CA started strong in February and will continue for conventional and organic mangoes until the end of the harvest in September.
Throughout the summer, the company will source honey, haden, tommy atkins, kent and keitt varieties from Mexico.
Good volume on small mangoes is expected by mid-April through June when a lot of packers in the central areas of Jalisco and southern Sinaloa are forecasting a bumper crop.
The southern areas in Michoacán should be in full swing by April and May.
Yellow mangoes will be heavy mid-March through April, with the season out of the southern areas winding down in May.
U.S. Importers are facing a surge in table grape imports from Southern Hemisphere producers, driving prices down and forcing fruit to remain in cold storage for extended periods, impacting quality.
The latest reports indicate while the market is moving, it is not keeping pace with heavy arrivals. Additionally, storage space, packing, and cooling facilities at East Coast ports are nearing full capacity.
While Chilean and Peruvian table grapes are among the biggest concerns, Chilean stone fruit, Mediterranean citrus, and pears from Argentina are also competing for cold storage space.
Peru has had a strong season, with international shipments up 32% year over year through Week 8. Shipments to the U.S. alone are up 48% compared to last season.
Peruvian exporters have increased their focus on the U.S. market, with 53.5% of their table grape tonnage shipped there by the end of Week 8, compared to 47.7% at the same time last season.
Chilean table grape shipments are also up 11.2% through Week 8, with shipments to the U.S. increasing by nearly 15%.
If Chile is to reach its projected 67 million cases this season, an additional 35 million will arrive in the U.S., meaning there is still significant volume left to move.
Meanwhile, South Africa has increased its shipments to the U.S. by 27%, though fewer shipments from the country are expected in the coming weeks.
March and April are expected to be dominated by Chilean arrivals. As importers rush to sell the fruit already in storage, the condition of the remaining grapes will be critical in determining the outcome of the 2024-25 import season.
2025 exports of Peruvian blueberries got off to a much slower beginning compared to the same month in 2024.
Exports totaled 23,454 tons worth $110.31 million, which represented a decrease of 15 percent in volume and 41 percent in value, with an average price of 4.70 per kilogram (-31.3 percent).
A primary factor in this drop was the reduction in shipments to China, which went from $15 million in January 2024 to only $2 million in 2025, along with the general drop in the price of the product, according to Fresh Fruit.
Throughout the month, Peruvian blueberries reached 24 countries, of which the U.S. remained the main destination, with a share of 64 percent. 14,721 tons were exported to this market for a value of $70.51 million, with an average price of $4.79 per kilogram. Compared to January 2024, shipments to this country fell by 1 percent in volume and 30 percent in value, with a 29 percent reduction in average cost.
The Netherlands was the second destination with a 21 percent share. Exports to this market reached 5,151 tons for a value of $23.24 million, with an average price of $4.51 per kilogram. In terms of annual variation, the exported volume increased by 33 percent, although the value fell by 12 percent and the average cost decreased by 34 percent.
The United Kingdom closed the podium with 1,791 tons exported, generating a value of $7.34 million. The average price of blueberries in this market was $4.10 per kilogram, which represented a 45 percent drop compared to 2024. However, the volume shipped increased by 37 percent, while the total value of exports to this destination decreased by 25 percent.
On the other hand, in January, almost 70 Peruvian agro-exporters participated, of which the most prominent were Camposol S.A., with a 30 percent share; Hortifrut – Perú S.A.C., with 14 percent; and Blueberries Perú S.A.C., with 10 percent. In 2024, the largest exporters were Camposol (25 percent), Hortifrut (13 percent) and Agrovisión (6 percent). Camposol and Hortifrut increased their market share, while Agrovisión left the podium and was replaced by Blueberries Perú S.A.C.
In terms of markets served, Camposol concentrated its exports in the United States (69 percent) and the Netherlands (27 percent) in 2025, increasing its presence in these markets compared to 2024, when its share in the United States was 53 percent and in the Netherlands 14 percent.
Hortifrut prioritized the United States (67 percent) and the Netherlands (14 percent), while in 2024 these percentages were 50 percent and 17 percent, respectively. Blueberries also had a change in its market focus, with a greater presence in Saudi Arabia (11 percent), while in 2024 it exported mainly to the United States (60 percent) and the Netherlands (14 percent).
Regarding the ports, Terminales Portuarios Euroandinos concentrated 42.4 percent of shipments; followed by DP World, with 27.6 percent; and APM Terminals, with 24.2 percent. The General San Martín – Paracas Port Terminal had a 4 percent share, while the Jorge Chávez International Airport represented 2.3 percent.
Mexico is one of the main blueberry-producing countries, ranking sixth globally. By calendar year 2025, production is projected at 73,500 metric tons (MT), down 9% from 2024.
In the case of exports, the most recent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report focused on the fruit, indicates that these would reach 70,000 MT and imports 20,000 MT.
Exports would be 70,000 metric tons, slightly lower than the 74,000 metric tons of the previous year. The United States accounts for 96% of Mexican blueberry exports.
In recent years, the country has expanded its product to new horizons, finding opportunities in the European Union and in emerging markets such as the United Arab Emirates.
The United States is expected to remain Mexican blueberries’ main export market and supplier.
On the other hand, imports are forecast at 20,000 tons, up 7% from 2024, due to increased domestic demand met in part by the United States, Peru, and Canada during periods of lower production in Mexico.
The United States will continue to be Mexico’s main supplier of blueberries, while Peru has begun increasing its blueberry exports to the country.
Texas onion growers and shippers see a strong, successful year as the 2025 harvest has just got underway.
The Texas International Produce Association of Mission, TX. reports a few fields are being harvested while others will start clipping onions by mid-March.
Yields and volume should be similar to last year, with growing conditions being pretty stable> No major pest or disease issues are reported.
Little Bear Produce of Edinburg, TX notes yellow, sweet and red onions are their most popular types of onions. The company specializes in sweet onions.
Southern Rio Grande Valley onions started in mid-February, and the main harvest kicked in about a week later and will continue until mid-April.
Onion volume should be about the same as last year at Little Bear Produce, and early indications were that quality should be good.
Significant changes have occurred at The Onion House LLC in Weslaco, TX.
The company was acquired from previous owner Don Ed Holmes in late 2023, and more recently, there has been installation of equipment to put up 2-, 3- and 5-pound consumer packs and added a new palletizer.
The Onion House sells the same kinds of onions as in the past: Mexican onions during the Mexican season and red, yellow and white onions from Texas when the Mexico deal finishes. Volume should be the same as last year.
The Onion House program to start between mid-to-late March.
Texas onions should continue through May or possibly into June. Mexico and Texas onions are shipped fresh, not out of storage.
Later in the year, The Onion House will ship onions from Colorado and Idaho.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville, CA has shared the availability of its GIANT Blueberries. These large (20mm+) and flavorful berries are now available in a vibrant new label design, selected by California Giant’s consumer audience.
This new, modern label celebrates a product California Giant has expanded on since the opening of its state-of-the-art blueberry pack house in Santa Maria, CA.
California Giant’s GIANT Blueberries are available in good volume from March through August, with peak availability in April and May. Sourcing begins in Mexico, shifts to California, and then moves to the Pacific Northwest as the growing season progresses, to ensure a consistent supply of these flavorful berries throughout the spring and summer.
The GIANT Blueberries, boasting impressive size and superior flavor, are sorted for color, firmness, size, and other quality indicators using a state-of-the-art Unitec sorting line at the Santa Maria facility. This ensures only the highest-quality berries make it into each clamshell. The Santa Maria pack house serves as a central hub for California Giant’s growers and outside suppliers, offering co-packing assistance and reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting its industry partners.
Jumbo blueberries are a rapidly growing segment of the berry category, reflecting evolving consumer preferences. Nielsen data shows double-digit growth in both dollar sales and pounds compared to the previous year, with jumbo blueberries also increasing their dollar share of the total blueberry category. Notably, the top three jumbo blueberry items accounted for 50% of total dollar sales, and the top ten items made up an impressive 90%, highlighting the strong consumer demand for premium jumbo offerings.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA GIANT BERRY FARMS
At California Giant Berry Farms, the difference is Giant. As the most resilient berry company in the world, California Giant strives to deliver premium berries while nourishing its communities. California Giant’s year-round supply of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries set the standard for quality and consistency and provides retailers, foodservice, and consumers with the best berry experience. Over four decades, California Giant has evolved into a global family united by a passion for delivering excellence. Quality, consistency and community inspire the mission and values that sustain the California Giant enterprise.
After a historic deep freeze reduced Pacific Northwest production to a 40-year low, fewer pears are expected in supermarkets.
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association reported that this year’s crop is expected to be 31% lower than the five-year average.
Since 80% of the pears in the U.S. come from the Northwest, experts say consumers should expect fewer pears on grocery store shelves.
“There’s certainly still a Northwest pear crop, but it was significantly smaller due to that damage,” said Jon DeVaney, president of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association.
Additionally, the affected pears are expected to exhibit “russet,” a brown ring caused by frost-damaged blossoms. Even though the taste is the same, their appearance can be off-putting to buyers.