While the initial arrival of blueberries from Argentina has arrived by air, regular arrivals by boat at U.S. ports will be more common during the season….Meanwhile a California stone fruit shipper is shipping citrus for the first time.
The initial load of Argentina blueberries, which was over 50 tons, flew out of Tucuman’s renovated airport September 23rd. The Teniente General Benjamín Matienzo International Airport outside of Tucumans was closed over the summer for the runway to be reconstructed and extended from 2,900 meters to 3,500 meters. Member producers of the Argentinean Blueberry Committee, which accounts for 80 percent of the country’s blueberry exports, celebrated the loading of 53 tons of berries on a Boeing 747 bound for Miami, according to a news release.
“We are pleased to be able to carry out the first full-load export of blueberries to the U.S., and we expect to continue in this direction, strengthening the (export) market,” Federico Bayá, the committee’s president, said in the release.
The airport renovations also included infrastructure and equipment improvements making loading commercial shipments smoother and safer. But the big change is the extended runway, which allows for a heavier load than was previously possible.
California Company to Ship Citrus
By Mountain View Fruit Sales
Reedley, CA — Mountain View Fruit Sales, known for shipping tree fruit, has announced they will be shipping California Citrus this season. Partnering with Eastside Packing they will be adding additional commodities to their premium quality and customer service based program.
“We have been working on getting into the citrus deal for many years, but finding the right growers and varieties can’t be rushed, so we are pleased to announce we will be shipping mandarins and lemons for the 2017 season,” said Mike Thurlow owner and CEO of Mountain View Fruit Sales. “It is a natural for us as we are located right in the middle of the prime citrus growing region. We will be utilizing the same aggressive marketing platform we currently use for our premium stone fruit program.”
Kent Huckabay and Joel Gonzalez have joined the Mountain View Sales team, bringing expertise in citrus marketing to the table. “We’ve worked with Mountain View for years on the tree fruit side, and their marketing strategy is well suited to apply to citrus,” said Huckabay. Mountain View Fruit Sales has been a leading marketer of tree fruit in California’s San Joaquin Valley for over 20 years.
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California produce rates have been showing strength with an increased demand for refrigerated trucks in areas ranging from the Salinas and San Joaquin Valleys to Santa Maria and down south in Ventura County. The increases have generally been around one to five percent.
With the official arrival of fall occurring September 22d, which is the arrival of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. It also means the transition of many produce shipping areas, if not from one hemisphere to another, but at least from one country to another, or in some cases, especially in the Western U.S., shifting locations in the same state or a neighboring state.
California certainly is the best example of the changing season.
As Watsonville strawberry shipments decline the red berry’s volume is now increasing to the south in Ventura County. In California’s Central San Joaquin Valley, nearly 900 truck loads of cantaloupe are being shipped weekly from the Westside District, but this will soon be in a seasonal decline. At the same time, very light loadings of melons have started from Central and Western Arizona and are increasing. California honeydew volume already is in a seasonal decline with the new season barely underway in Central Arizona and will start in Western Arizona in the next week or so.
San Joaquin Valley table grapes is probably the state’s single biggest volume item averaging around 1750 truck loads weekly. The combined volume of head lettuce and romaine from the Salinas Valley has recently had similar volume to grapes, but lettuce volume will start sliding soon, to eventually give away to desert shipping areas in California and Arizona. Salinas also is offering around 600 loads of celery per week. To the south in Kern County, carrots are totaling about 750 loads.
Salinas vegetables – grossing about $5100 to Chicago; San Joaquin Valley fruit – grossing about $6200 to Baltimore.
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 By Summer Citrus from South Africa
CITRUSDAL, South Africa — Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA) is finishing the season strong with the two final scheduled vessels set to arrive with Navels and Easy Peelers as well as the first shipment of the popular Midknight variety into the United States. The last conventional vessel will arrive to the Port of Philadelphia the week of October 9th.
With sophisticated logistics services and consolidated resources, SCSA has been able to maintain steady movement of fruit throughout the season. SCSA continues to provide the freshest and sweetest citrus varieties with their Midknight crop arriving at its peak of season with the last harvest of Navels and Easy Peelers entering the US with these final two vessels.
“We have established a unique collaboration with incredible logistics partners who are equally committed to meeting USDA requirements. Without dependability and service excellence from Seatrade who provides our dedicated cargo vessels as well as FPT Group who manages our Capetown loading facility, we would not be able to execute such a consistently strong program all season long,” said Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus from South Africa. “In addition, we are fortunate to work closely with the government bodies involved in the pre-clearance process for our fruit, including USDA/APHIS, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as well as the Perishable Product Export Control Board. All of these groups play a significant role in maintaining a well-managed and successful program year after year.”
“2017 has been another exciting growth year for the summer citrus category and we’ve been pleased that our group has been able to increase our support of US retail partners,” Conradie added. “I’ve enjoyed the 17th season and hope to replicate for years to come!”
About Summer Citrus from South Africa
Summer Citrus from South Africa represents the 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 and re-branded for expanded marketing efforts in 2016, the group provides Navels, Midknights, East Peelers, Star Ruby Grapefruit and Cara-Cara oranges across the globe.
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California prune shipments this season are expected to make a major rebound from recent years of fighting adverse weather….Also, the bad news continues to pile for the Florida citrus industry.
A whopping 99 percent increase in California prune shipments is expected from the 2017 harvest that was completed in mid September. A total of 105,000 tons, should be shipped compared to only 52,851 tons from the 2016 crop, The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service believes the prune industry has returned to a normal size harvest. The September harvest completion was a little later than usual to a delayed start due to weather.
At the same time weather conditions in recent years has created challenges for prune growers, but the trees are reported rebounding this year.
California is the world’s largest producer of prunes, accounting for 40 percent of the world’s supply and nearly of all the supply in the U.S.
Florida Orange Juice Supplies Suffering
Some of Florida’s citrus growing regions suffered total losses of some groves as a result Hurricane Irma hitting the heart of the growing region. The possible health of the industry could be threated with some groves completely destroyed, resulting in damage that will not only send prices higher.
The hurricane could not have come at a worst time as the harvest was just starting. Losses of many citrus grove operations in Southwestern Florida range from 70 to 100 percent. While some citrus trees were stripped of folage, the aftermath is grim as the hot sun barring down on exposed tree roots could threaten recovery of trees.
Other major citrus producers are Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico. However, Mexican producers are recovering from Hurricane Katia and the recent earthquake in Mexico. It is estimated up to 90 per cent of the fruit from citrus groves in Southwest and Central Florida are used for juice.
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Peruvian “grass” (asparagus) imports by the U.S. will be peaking soon. At the same time in Wisconsin, a Spudmobile is touring the Midwest as the Badger state potato season gets underway.
During the past five years Peru has accounted for about 40 percent of the world’s supply of asparagus and export of “grass” the year around to the United States, although some months are much heavier than others. The lowest volume occurs during February and March and usually peaks during October, November and December.
The U.S. imported over 10 millions pounds per month of Peruvian asparagus from May through December in 2016. However, it topped 20 million pounds for the final four months of the year. During December nearly 30 million pounds of “grass” was imported from Peru.
By contrast, imported asparagus from Mexico has huge shifts with February and March close to 70 million pounds each month compared to supplies dwindling to 10 million pounds or fewer the last four months of the year.
The United States imported nearly 475 million pounds of fresh asparagus in 2016, which put it in a virtual tie with 2014 for most asparagus imported in the past five years.
By Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
Antigo, Wisconsin -New crop Wisconsin potatoes are hitting the market and Trig’s stores aren’t missing a beat in letting people know. The popular Wisconsin retail chain kicked off their Wisconsin potatoes promotion 2th by picking spuds at the Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station for the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry. On September 23rd, the Spudmobile begans its tour of all the Trigâ’s stores starting in Rhinelander and then continuing that afternoon at the Eagle River store.
Through hands-on exhibits and eye-catching graphics, Spudmobile visitors will learn how farmers are stewards of the land and how they incorporate the latest technologies into their agricultural practices. When visiting the Spudmobile, guests will learn about various varieties of potatoes grown in Wisconsin, how they are planted and harvested, the nutritional facts about potatoes and some statistics about America’s favorite vegetable. Kids will be completely engaged as they play games on the interactive touch table and the Field to Fork exhibits.
The Wisconsin Spudmobile was developed by WPVGA, which is a non-profit organization that represents and promotes the State’s 300 potato and vegetable grower members and affiliates. The Spudmobile makes frequent appearances at locations throughout the Midwest including stops at schools, community events and retailers who provide Wisconsin potatoes to their customers.
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Here’s a shipping outlook for dates and various nuts coming out of California.
A bumper crop of California date shipments is seen by some coming out the Southern California desert region, with yields reported to be 20 percent higher than last season.
Harvest got underway with the beginning of September. Among the major California date shippers are Hadley Date Gardens of Thermal, Atlas Produce and Distribution of Bakersfield, and Sunsweet Growers Inc. of Yuba City.
Walnut and Almond Shipments
California grows and ships nearly all walnuts in the U.S. and has 315,000 bearing acres due to the region’s mild climate and deep fertile soils providing ideal growing conditions.
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While Colorado potatoes are pretty well known to produce haulers, here are some loading opportunities such as California mandarins, Michigan apples and what — broccoli from Maine! Yep, that is right. Check it out.
The San Luis Valley of Colorado has 51,900 acres of potatoes which is up 800 acres from last season. Russets remain the primary spud shipped from the region, making up approximately 95 percent of the annual shipments.
Red potatoes now account for around 5 to 7 percent of the volume, while yellows are also increasing making up nearly 10 percent of production. Fingerlings and specialties account for about 3 percent. Over all, annual shipments have remained steady in recent years Last season Colorado had 14 million hundredweight (cwt) of potatoes.
Colorado potatoes – grossing about $2100 to Chicago.
Sunkist Mandarin Shipments
Sunkist Growers Inc. based in Valencia, CA will start shipping California mandarins on November 1st, and will be shipping a lot more of the citrus this season. Mulholland Citrus of Orange Cove, CA recently joined the Sunkist cooperative and will add 8 million 5-pound cartons to Sunkist mandarin shipments this year, doubling the volume of Sunkist from last season. Sunkist has thousands of grower-members as part of its cooperative, which are based in California and Arizona.
Michigan Shipper Expands
Riveridge Produce Marketing Inc. of Sparta, MI ships about 35 percent of fresh Michigan apples and how now entered the apple cider business with the opening of the new Riveridge Cider 17,400-square-foot cold storage. The opening was September 8th starting with blended gallon and one-half gallon cider. It includes cold pressing and bottled blended fresh apple cider, as well as varietal blends of Fuji, Gala and Honecrisp. The new operation can bottle 30,000 gallons a day.
Maine Broccoli Shipments
Hapco Farms of Riverhead, NY has been growing and shipping Maine broccoli for over 20 years, producing in excess of one millions boxes every season from July through October. It has eight different varieties of broccoli, depending upon the time of the year.
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Here’s a shipping outlook for different areas and commodities ranging from Florida after Hurricane Irma, to Idaho potatoes, Washington apples and imported mangoes.
Florida’s projected 75 million-box orange crop may have been slashed by 40 percent or more due to Hurricane Irma, depending on where the groves are located. Heavy losses are also are expected with grapefruit and other items.
This is the off season for many Florida vegetable shipments, but products such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and strawberries in South Florida took a big hit and replantings will result in shipments being at least a month or two if not more later than normal.
Idaho Potato Shipments
Idaho potato shipments from the season that recently ended was 12 percent over that of two years ago. The diggings for the current crop are underway off of 308,000 acres, which is 15,000 acres less than last year. However, Idaho will still have plenty of potatoes to haul.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $3000 to Chicago.
Apple Shipments
Red delicious will soon lose its status as the volume leader in the Washington apple industry as the variety will amount to 25 percent of the 2017-18 crop, off about 5 percent from recent years.
Gala apples should account for 23 percent of the new crop, and is on track to surpass red delicious this season or next. Red Delicious popularity has declined because of a number of new varieties that are considered to taste better. Growers have been planting proprietary varieties or improved versions of varieties such as gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp and Cosmic Crisp.
Over 600,000 Honey Crisp trees were planted this year, and about 5.5 million more will go in the ground next year. A significant reason for more Honey Crisp planting is it has a harvest window very similar to that of the Red Delicious.
Yakima Valley apples – grossing about $6600 to New York City.
Mango Imports
As Mexican mango imports seasonally decline the slack its being picked up by imports from Brazil. Brazil’s season is expected to continue through November with a projection of approximately 8.2 million boxes Peak imports are expected mid-September to mid-October.
As Brazilian imports wind down, imports will be available from Ecuador followed by Peru, which will take production into the new year with the return to volume from Mexico coming in March.
Mexican mangoes through Nogales – grossing about $4000 to Chicago.
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Volume in terms of hundredweight is expected to be down only slightly for Wisconsin potatoes shipments this season. Meanwhile, the Red River Valley has very limited potato shipments at this point.
Wisconsin’s potato shipments are expected be off about 5 percent this season from a year amounting to 27 million hundredweight (cwt) the 2017 18 growing. storage and shipping season. The 2016=17 fresh volume totaled 28.5 million cwt.
Due to a late weather related planting, growers will be leaving the potatoes in the ground as long as possible to give time to gain size. This resulted in diggings getting underway September 11th instead of September. 1st. Updated forecasts will be needed as growers are rolling the dice a bit as the latter harvest increases the change of a damaging frost. Wisconsin’s potato farmers normally complete harvest by October. 10th. Digging of potatoes this fall could continue as late as October 20 to gain as much growing time as possible for a product that is gauged by weight. Thus, growers are praying for a late frost.
Russet potatoes currently make up about 70 percent of potato shipments in the U.S., followed by red potatoes that have increase to 20 percent and yellow potatoes amounting 10 percent. Russets also continue make up the biggest volume of Wisconsin potato shipments.
How Wisconsin Potato Volume Ranks
Wisconsin is the nation’s third-largest potato shipping state, and ranks number one No. 1 east of the Mississippi River. Frito Lay has become a big presence in the Badger State and accounts for 25 percent of Wisconsin’s potatoes shipped for the processing market. Another 10 percent of the state’s potatoes are shipped as seed.
Red River Valley Potato Shipments
Shipments haven’t really ramped up yet but red potatoes from the nation’s largest “red” production region have got underway. While red potatoes continue to grow in popularity, about 18 percent of the Valley’s fresh potato production will be yellows this fall, a number that has tripled in the last six years.
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While Salinas Valley veggie shipments have been hindered due to weather related issues, it may pale in comparison to Florida oranges after Hurricane Irma. Also, imported Japanese persimmons to be become a reality.
Salinas Valley vegetable shipments leading up to Labor Day were paired back because of hot weather and the effects are still being felt nearly two weeks later. When the temperature surpasses 90 degrees F. it becomes to hot for field workers, not to mention quality issues come into focus. The result has been lighter-than-normal loadings of leafy greens, broccoli, and cauliflower. Caution is urged when loading, as produce haulers should look for potential heat related quality problems.
Florida Citrus vs. Irma
The wrath of Hurricane Irma is bound to be bad news for Florida citrus, especially orange that already is reeling from declining production due to citrus greening. Florida accounts for 56 percent of U.S. citrus production and is the number one state for oranges, although the vast majority goes for processing. Still, we’re talking about Florida’s total production for oranges in 2015 was valued at $1.17 billion.
Other top produce crops threatened by Irma are tomatoes, and green beans, although neither are in peak season. Severe citrus crop losses seen for product exposed to hurricane force winds exceeding 85 mph.
Imported Persimmons
by USDA APHIS
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is publishing a final rule allowing the importation of fresh persimmon with calyxes (a plant part protecting the flower) from Japan.
APHIS scientists prepared a pest risk analysis and determined that commercial shipments of persimmons with calyxes produced under a systems approach can safely be imported into the continental United States. The systems approach includes requirements for packing house registration, orchard monitoring and control of pests, fruit culling, biometric sampling, a phytosanitary certificate with additional declaration, port of entry inspection and traceback. These measures will protect our country against the introduction of plant pests.
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