Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
The trade group U.S. Apple Association of Falls Church, VA held a webinar following the December 1st update on the amount of apples remaining in storages.
Chris Gerlach, USApple’s director of industry analytics, said the total figure was about 190 million bushels — 140 million of those bushels are in fresh apples while 51 million remain in processing.
“The last time we had a total holding of this size in November it was the November 2014-15 season with 188 million bushels — 144 million bushels in fresh and 44 million bushels in processing,” Gerlach said. “For the most part, we’re right on par with the production with the fresh crop there.”
Gerlach said one deviation from the 2014-15 figures is the number of apples in processing this season. He suspected with a down market last year, processors used the opportunity to fill holdings then.
“It’s a big year,” said Gerlach, who added that fresh apple holdings are closer to 40% greater than a year ago.
Washington state contributes the majority the year-over-year growth. The state is up 38% over last season, which is equivalent to 42 million bushels and about 90% of total growth in the U.S.
New York state’s 15 million bushels is 10% of the national growth; its crop is up 44% year over year.
Michigan shows a 6% decrease year over year, but at 12 million bushels, it is down only 1 million bushels from 2022 and still above the state’s five-year average.
“These states account for about 94% of remaining storages,” Gerlach said.
Honeycrisp, gala, red delicious, granny smith and fuji make up 76% of the total apple holdings. Gerlach said USApple pulled Envy out of the “other varieties” category to track its growth individually moving forward. Apple growers harvested 4.2 million bushels of Envy apples this season.
Cosmic Crisp experienced a 41% year-over-year growth with 9.5 million bushels harvested this year.
Gerlach noted that there are two mindsets for how this year’s crop moved through before December. He said if using the figures set in August by the USDA, it looks like a sluggish movement of apples in storage. However, Gerlach said he suspects the crop is higher than projected and therefore moving at a better rate.
He said the figures in the USApple movement tracker shows a 17.8-million-bushel differential between November and December, up 81% year over year, with varieties coming in and out of storage. Gerlach suspects with apples coming in and going out of storage, that figure could be higher. Washington state moved 16.3 million bushels in November, which is up 97% year over year.
Gerlach said by comparison, using the 2014-15 season, data from the tracker shows only 14 million bushels for November. So, apple movement this season tracks considerably higher.
“With the 18-million-bushel figure, we are exceeding the net movement in the November 2014 time frame,” he said. “There’s no reason to think we’re dragging our heels.”
Gerlach noted net movement of varieties show gala moving 4.4 million bushels, up 74% year over year. Honeycrisp movement is up 105% at 3.7 million bushels. Movement of granny smith apples is up 204% at 3 million bushels. Red delicious rounds out the top four with 2.1 million bushels, up 53%.
Florida’s strawberry strawberry shipments are gradually ramp up and should hit peak volume in time to make deliveries for Valentine’s Day, February 14.
The Sunshine State strawberry season got underway in early to mid-November, and supplies slowly increased throughout December.
Gem-Pack Berries LLC of Irvine, CA is partnering with Parkesdale Farms of Plant City, FL. The companies expect to have peak volume the week of Valentine’s Day.
On a note of caution, the company is monitoring for Botrytis and Chile thrips. Botrytis is a fungus causing a gray mold and appears as white specks or brown spots on the pedals which spread to the flower. Chile thrips are microscopic pests that damage the strawberry leaves and fruit itself.
Parkesdale Farms expects similar volume to a year ago with ample supplies throughout the season.
Gem-Pack also will offer Well-Pict-brand proprietary strawberry varieties grown in Florida.
Wish Farms of Plant City began picking Florida strawberries the first week of November, which is about a week earlier than usual with average berry size and above average quality.
Peak season for Wish Farms is expected to be mid-February to early March, with volume similar to other seasons.
California Gian Berry Farms of Watsonville, CA started harvesting Florida strawberries the second week of November, but cooler than normal weather had kept its volume below normal.
But volume had not reached normal numbers as of mid-December because of unusually cool weather. Still the company expects total volume to be similar to last season, shipments extending through March and into early April.
Astin Strawberry Exchange LLC has 2,000 acres of strawberries this year, with decent volume expected by January 20, with peak season likely coming after Valentine’s Day, but earlier if weather is warm in January.
The company notes an early Easter of March 31 will be good for Florida strawberry shipments with peak volume occurring from mid-February to mid-March.
After two years of figures marked by the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2023 brought an improvement in export volumes for Ecuadorian bananas, with 316.35 million boxes shipped to international markets, according to a recent report by the Association of Ecuadorian Banana Exporters (AEBE) latest report.
The U.S. posted a moderate increase in imports of this product, totaling 28.44 million boxes in 2023 with a 9% share of shipments.
The report has statistical data collected by DATACOMEX and the Banana Statistical Observatory, considering consolidated figures up to November 2023.
During 2021 and 2022, the sector experienced an accumulated 14% drop in shipments, with the European Union and Russia as the main destinations. Although figures remain below pre-pandemic levels, exports rose 6% in 2023.
In 2023, 91.86 million 40-pound boxes were shipped to the EU, while in 2022 exports to said market totaled 78.00 million boxes, an 18% increase for this destination.
In the case of Russia, shipments totaled 67.28 million boxes in 2023, with a slight 4% decrease year-on-year, as shipments stood at 70.08 million boxes in 2022.
As for other markets, the U.S. posted a moderate increase in imports of this product, totaling 28.44 million boxes in 2023 with a 9% share of shipments.
Africa also reported an increase in Ecuadorian banana imports. In 2023, 3.83 million additional boxes were exported to this region, reaching 17.64 million boxes and a 6% share of overall shipments.
On the other hand, Asia bought 3.62 million additional boxes compared to 2022, reaching a 6% share.
In total, the ten main brands of Ecuador shipped 118.16 million boxes to international destinations, thus placing 37.35% of the domestic banana supply abroad. Dole and Global Village stand out as the main ones.
The EU and Russia maintained their positions as main markets, accounting for 29% and 21% of total shipments, respectively.
In 2023, 91.86 million 40-pound boxes were shipped to the EU, while in 2022 exports to said market totaled 78.00 million boxes, an 18% increase for this destination.
In the case of Russia, shipments totaled 67.28 million boxes in 2023, with a slight 4% decrease year-on-year, as shipments stood at 70.08 million boxes in 2022.
Africa also reported an increase in Ecuadorian banana imports. In 2023, 3.83 million additional boxes were exported to this region, reaching 17.64 million boxes and a 6% share of overall shipments.
On the other hand, Asia bought 3.62 million additional boxes compared to 2022, reaching a 6% share.
In total, the ten main brands of Ecuador shipped 118.16 million boxes to international destinations, thus placing 37.35% of the domestic banana supply abroad. Dole and Global Village stand out as the main ones.
A new report from the USDA predicts Chilean mandarins and lemon exports will increase for the 2023-24 season.
The USDA forecasts that Chilean lemon production will grow by 6.7% in 2023-24, while exports are expected to grow by 8.8%.
While Chilean orange production is expected to dip slightly, Chile’s mandarin area planted has grown rapidly over the past 10 marketing years due to high profits, the USDA report said. As a result, Chilean mandarin exports in 2023-24 are forecast to grow by 7.3%.
Chilean exporters are attempting to diversify their export markets beyond the U.S. In March 2023, Chile gained access to the Mexican market for lemons, clementines and mandarins under an inspection system that avoids fumigation, improving the quality conditions and increasing shelf life.
The report said Chilean lemon acreage for 2023-24 is forecast at 20,139 acres, up 1% from the previous season.
Lemon area planted in Chile grew from 14,606 acres in the marketing year 2016-17 to 19,968 acres in the marketing year 2022-23.
“In the Valparaiso and Coquimbo regions, citrus became a viable alternative to other crops such as avocado because of its high price and low water requirement,” the report said. “According to Post sources, Chilean lemon producers are currently focused on increasing productivity and yields by better managing water use and disease.”
The USDA forecasts Chilean lemon output to grow by 6.7% to 175,000 metric tons in 2023-24 due to the increase in area planted.
Most Chilean lemon exports occur between June and September, typically peaking in July or August, to Northern Hemisphere markets. The lemon production area spans from the Coquimbo region, in the north of the country, to the O’Higgins region in the central south, the report said. The Metropolitana region, in the central part of Chile, holds 41.1% of the lemon area planted, making it the top-producing region.
For the marketing year 2023-24, Chilean lemon exports will grow 8.8% and total 74,000 metric tons.
The USDA said more than 60% of Chilean lemon exports go to the U.S., making it the top market among export destinations.
Chilean orange production will dip by 2.2% and total 175,000 metric tons in 2023-24, the report said. Planted area for oranges in Chile declined 1% in the last year to 15,567 acres, according to the report.
Orange planted area has declined 15% from 18,258 acres in 2011-12 as producers shifted to mandarins and lemons because of their higher profitability, the report said. Chile’s Metropolitana region is still the top orange-producing region in Chile, holding 39.3% of the orange area planted, followed by the O’Higgins region, which holds 31.3% of the area planted.
Chilean orange exports will decrease by 5.5% and total 90,000 metric tons in 2023-24 compared with the previous year.
In Chile, the orange marketing year starts April with the beginning of the harvest season, with the report noting that the bulk of Chilean orange exports is between July and September each year and peaks around August.
The largest market for Chilean oranges is the U.S., which represented 93% of total exports in 2022-23, the report said.
Chilean mandarin/tangerine production in 2023-24 will increase by 7.1% and total 287,000 metric tons.
The USDA said the mandarin area planted has increased by nearly 2,500 acres per year and will reach nearly 30,000 acres in 2023-24.
“Due to high profits, mandarin area planted grew significantly in the past ten marketing years,” the report said. “Specifically, the W. Murcott variety became a viable alternative to replace other crops such as oranges or table grapes.”
The Coquimbo region is the top mandarin production region in Chile, holding 47.4% of the total acreage. The O’Higgins and the Valparaiso regions, in the central part of the country, hold 21.9% and 20.7% of the area planted, respectively.
Area planted in all mandarin-producing regions grew in the past three marketing years.
For 2023-24, the USDA projects that Chilean mandarin/tangerine exports will increase by 7.3% to 250,000 metric tons.
Chile exports mandarins from April until December, peaking around September.
The top export market for mandarins is the U.S., which receives 95% of Chilean mandarin exports.
Export volumes from Peru, Ecuador and Brazil rose 24% between the week ending Dec. 9, 2023, and the previous week, according to a report from the National Mango Board of Orlando, FL. was over 1.2 boxes.
Brazil
Brazil reached over 12 million boxes for the season, with approximately 265,798 for the week of Dec. 9.
During the same week last year, volume shipped from Brazil was 111,612 boxes for a total of nearly 9.4 boxes.
Ecuador
Ecuador is currently shipping the highest volumes out of the three countries with nearly 810,000 shipped during the week.
That week’s volume is about 45.2% higher than what was shipped the previous week.
The country has shipped over 4 million boxes for the season.
Perú
The volume shipped from Peru was approximately 91,212 boxes for a total of 419,508 boxes for the season. The week’s volume is about 42% higher than what was shipped the previous week.
During the same week last year, volume shipped from Peru was 1.1 million boxes for a total of nearly 2.5 boxes
U.S. fresh apples remaining in storage totaled 124.4 million bushels in a Dec. 1 report from the U.S. Apple Association (USApple). That figure is up 33% more than inventories reported this same time last year and 20% more than the five-year average for December, the association said.
USApple also said that processing apples totaled 48.5 million bushels, which is up 19% over the same reporting time last year. The 48.5-million-bushel figure is 17% more than the five-year average for the month.
Washington leads the states in apple holdings, according to the report, with 23,399,776 42-pound bushels of fresh apples in regular storage and 81,986,890 42-pound bushels of fresh apples in controlled atmosphere storage, according to the association.
USApple reports gala leads all varieties in fresh apples in controlled storage with 18,758,807 42-pound bushels, while red delicious comes in second with 17,853,167 42-pound bushels of fresh apples in controlled atmosphere storage. Pink Lady/cripps pink tops all varieties in fresh apple holdings in regular storage with 3,893,710 42-pound bushels, and Honeycrisp is second with 3,580,764 42-pound bushels of fresh apples in regular storage.
According to the association, Honeycrisp leads all processing apples in controlled-atmosphere storage with 7,482,773 42-pound bushels, and golden delicious comes is second with 3,711,724 42-pound bushels in controlled-atmosphere storage. Golden delicious also leads processing apples in regular storage with 1,809,405 42-pound bushels, and assorted other varieties are secon with 1,803,082 42-pound bushels in regular storage.
A series of winter cold fronts are expected over the next week in the Arizona-California desert growing region, bringing a pattern of light rain followed by cool temperatures and lettuce ice conditions, according to a press release by Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Light rain is forecast for Sunday, January 7, but less than .10 inches of rain is expected.
Temperatures will cool significantly through most of next week, starting on Monday, January 8. Morning lows will drop below freezing, and widespread lettuce ice is forecast across all desert valleys.
Significant production and loading delays will occur next week. Markon will work with suppliers to build inventory leading into these weather challenges in order to minimize disruptions.
Markon inspectors will continue to monitor weather forecasts closely and will update further as needed.
After what’s been a complicated year for Florida citrus growers, with very low productive levels due to hurricane damage and the ever-present citrus greening disease, a recent estimate by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is projecting an increase in both grapefruit and tangerine production.
The forecast for all grapefruit production is 2.40 million boxes, up 500,000 boxes from the October forecast. If realized, this would be 33% more than last season’s final production.
Red grapefruit, now at 2.1 million boxes, up by 450,000 boxes from the October forecast. Fruit size is projected to be above average.
White grapefruit volumes are forecasted up 50,000 boxes and are now at 300,000 boxes. Projected fruit size at harvest is slightly above average while projected droppage is below average.
Tangerine and tangelo production is estimated at 550,000 boxes, up 50,000 boxes from the October forecast.
The USDA’s forecast for all orange varieties remains unchanged for the October forecast at 20.5 million boxes.
As the Peruvian sweet onion season draws to a close, Keystone Fruit Marketing of Greencastle, PA, a division of Progressive Produce of Los Angeles, is gearing up to transition from Peruvian Mayan Sweets to Mexican Mayan Sweets.
Keystone’s Mayan Sweets are well-recognized as a respected and established brand with a long history. The company’s foray into sweet onions began in the early 1990s when it became the first company to grow sweet onions in Peru.
The founders of Keystone wanted to have a year-round sweet onion program, and that meant going to various regions across North and South America to ensure a high-quality sweet onions available throughout the year.
Today, Keystone Fruit Marketing remains one of the largest importers of sweet onions from Peru into the United States and now has grower partners in multiple regions, including Washington, California, Mexico, Texas and Georgia.
The Peruvian sweet onion season, a cornerstone of Keystone’s year-round program, typically runs from late July through March, with peak supply from September to December.
As the Peruvian sweet onion season nears its conclusion, Keystone anticipates the start of the Mexican sweet onion season, set to kick off in mid-January. Early indications suggest an excellent crop.
Keystone expects goos supplies of Mexican sweet onions available through April, along with a full line of onion varieties, including red, white, yellow and it flat sweet onions for 2024.
Adverse weather conditions have played havoc with Peruvian mango exports this season. A forecast by The Peruvian Association of Mango Producers and Exports (APEM) reveals volumes will plunge by 76% this season to 60,000 tons.
In the 2022-23 season, the country reported export volumes of 250,000 tons, the fourth consecutive increase for the fruit.
The drop in export volumes has caused prices to surge, even double the price of last season for fruit transported by air.
APEM notes production in the San Lorenzo Valley, and pretty much every growing region was very affected by rains during March and April.
Maritime exports to the United States started about three weeks ago. About
95% of the country’s mango exports are by boat.
Forecasts indicate that the main market will be the U.S. since Europe will have some Brazilian mangos.
The APEM originally estimated exports to the U.S. would be approximately 8 million boxes, but that total has now been reduced to 5 million boxes.