Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
What a difference fall weather can make from one year to the next. That is translating into more hauling opportunities for produce truckers with Florida strawberries and tomatoes.
While very light Florida strawberry shipments began in early November, a slow but steady increase in volume has been occurring. Better growing conditions have the crop well ahead of a year ago. The cold temperatures have been much more frequent this Florida season, than in 2015, which is good for berries.
Florida fresh strawberry hauling will be available into March and April. A good jump in volume is expected in late December, continuing well into January. Then a bit of lull is expected before volume ramps up again in early February and into March. There should be peak shipments in time for Valentine’s Day deliveries.
Currently Florida is averaging about 200 truck loads of strawberry shipments a week, primarily from the Plant City area.
Tomato Shipments
Unlike a year ago Florida tomato hauling should be more normal this year after experiencing a weather-related plunge last year. Last season, Florida shipped about 28 million, 25-pound boxes of round (mature green) tomatoes. This year, volume should be around 35 million range cartons. Florida tomato acreage is similar to last year, about 30,000 acres, making the Sunshine state the largest tomato-producing state in the U.S.
Of significance is some growers also produce grape, cherry and roma varieties, in addition to round tomatoes, but those numbers are not tracked because they’re not regulated by a marketing order. So in essence, actual Florida tomato shipments of non-round varieties increase the volume reported by about 25 percent, assuming this year’s volume remains typical of past years.
Meanwhile, Florida tomato shipments are about the only game in town for the next few weeks, especially since Mexican tomato imports won’t be providing much volume until after the New Year. Then Florida tomato shipments typically take a dip from January to March.
Shipments of tomatoes, vegetables and strawberries from South and Central Florida – grossing about $2100 to New York City.
U.S. fresh apples remaining in storages to be shipped for the 2016-17 season are up by double digits.
Apples remaining to be shipped as of December 1st were 120.3 million (42-pound) boxes, 13 percent above from a year ago and 12 percent higher than the five-year average of 107.5 million boxes. Total fresh crop shipments for Washington state are now expected to hit 137.88 million boxes. That is nearly 500,000 boxes above the November estimate.
The U.S. Apple Association storage report shows total Washington fresh holdings on December 1st at about 104 million boxes, or about 86 percent of total apples remaining to be shipped in the U.S..
U.S. fresh red delicious supplies on hand were 35.4 million boxes, up 26 percent from a year ago. Gala inventories in the U.S. were 22.9 million boxes, up 28 percent from a year ago. Honeycrisp holdings in the U.S. were 5.58 million boxes, up 29 percent from last year.
Among varieties with reduced volume on hand, U.S. granny smiths at 12.1 million boxes, off 15 percent from a year ago. U.S. golden delicious inventories of 7.2 million boxes were down nine percent compared with a year ago.
Washington Apple Shipments
The 2016 Washington crop is well short of the record 140 million-carton crop of 2014. However, Washington fresh apple shipments are likely eclipse the 2014 record crop in the next few years. In fact, 140-million-box crops are expected to become normal, with the big crop years hitting the 150 million to 160 million box range.
Variety Trends
Looking ahead to future shipping season said some observers believe with rising volume of new proprietary or club apple varieties, it may start to put pressure on gala apples, in addition to hurting retail shelf space for jonagold, braeburn and cameo varieties.
There seems to be a growing belief among many observers that as the apple industry moves into these new premium varieties, gala will be the next one to be hit.
Washington apple and pear shipments from the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys – grossing about $4400 to Chicago; $6600 to New York City.
Here are the current top five fresh potato shipping regions when it comes to volume being loaded on a weekly basis: Idaho, Colorado, Columbia Basin in southern Washington and Umatilla Basin in Northern Oregon, Wisconsin and the Red River Valley.
There’s a reason why Northwest potato shipments are huge for the 2016-17 shipping season. Some call it high yields, others call it over production. And all of this centers around Idaho, the biggest potato producer of them all.,
For this season Idaho harvested 323,000 acres , totaling 13 billion pounds of potatoes — enough to fill 500 football stadiums 10 feet high. This accounts for one-third of all U.S. potatoes. Idaho is now shipping over 2000 truck load equivalents of potatoes a week. Idaho potatoes are easily the biggest volume U.S. produce item currently being shipped.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $5400 to Boston.
In Colorado’s San Luis Valley, about 750 truck loads of potatoes are being loaded each week.
Colorado potatoes – grossing about $1600 to Dallas.
In Washington state, fresh potato shipments are coming from the Columbia Basin, Skagit Valley, and Klamath Basin. Washington State potato growers boast of the highest yields in the world, but total shipments each week are well below Idaho and even Colorado. About 13 percent of Washington’s overall crop is shipped for the fresh market. Washington’s Columbia Basin and adjacent Umatilla Basin in Oregon is averaging around 500 truck loads of potato shipments weekly. This volume leans heavily towards specialty potatoes.
Columbian Basin/Umatilla Basin potatoes – grossing about $5400 to Atlanta.
Meanwhile, Central Wisconsin accounts for the bulk of the Badger state’s potato shipments – currently averaging about 375 truck loads per week.
Wisconsin potatoes – grossing abut $2600 to Atlanta.
The Red River Valley of eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota is shipping about 175 truck loads of red potatoes each week.
North Dakota and Minnesota Red River Valley potatoes – grossing about $1750 to Chicago.
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Chilean fruit imports to the U.S. are seasonally light this month, but will show significant increases with the New Year.
The main two fruits imported from Chile in December are blueberries and cherries. The biggest item for Chile, are table grapes, which are available January through April. Chilean stone fruit imports are available from February through April.
Chilean blueberry imports are currently very light with the heaviest volume coming in January and February. Through November 6th, 744 tons of fresh Chilean blueberries had been imported by North America. The crop estimate for Chilean blueberries is about 94,000 tons, with North America expected to import around 70 percent of that total.
Chile exported 32.7 million boxes — about 91,038 tons — of fresh blueberries during the 2015-16 season, with North America continuing to be the principal market. Volume shipped to North American continues to increase each season.
In 2015-16, North America imported 69 percent of all Chilean blueberry exports, an increase of three percent over the previous season.
For the 2016-17 season Chile plans to export about 94,000 tons, with North America to receiving around 70 percent of the total.
There is about a six week window for Chilean cherry imports to North American between mid-December and late January. Cherries are also a popular Chinese New Year item, depending on when Chinese New Year falls; In 2017, it is January 28th.
There are no official projections on cherry volumes destined for North America this season, but if weather conditions in Chile remain favorable the total crop export would be around 20 million boxes.
Chile has an excellent fruit production zone because of the natural isolating effects of the landscape of the country – the Atacama Desert in the north, the Andes Mountains to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the ice-fields to the south.
The unique natural geography of the country consisting of separate independent zones of production have enabled Chile to establish high quality fruit production, without the problems of viruses that have blighted the development of the fruit industries in other countries.
Florida fall vegetable volume for the majority of items is expected to be pretty normal over all, although early season loadings will be lighter than usual.While that is good news, keep in mind that these loadings of items ranging from bell peppers to cucumbers and squash, plus other southern vegetables is relatively light, especially compared to Florida’s primary shipping season for vegetables, which is in the spring. This also results in multiple picks and drops, so keep this in mind when considering produce freight rates.
After heavy September and October rains, pepper harvesting is expected to begin with variable yields and quality, while green bean loadings are expected to start with lower than normal volume. Last season, record winter rainfall harmed quality of many items.
Early indications point to Florida having over all good quality crop, with that quality being much better that last year. This year the weather is much improved, with warmer temperatures and rain, resulting in a very good growing season.
Florida Specialties Inc. of Immokalee is a grower and shipper of green beans, eggplant and peppers. It began harvesting bell peppers in mid-November right on schedule in Southern Florida and also like to looks of its vegetables in central Florida.
Branch: A Family of Farms, is based in South Bay, FL, began harvesting sweet corn in mid November. The company also handles many other vegetables ranging from green beans to cabbage, escarole, endive, cilantro, lettuce, celery, parsely and radicchio, among other items, with operations also in Georgia and Colorado, in season.
Tomatoes
The Florida tomato shipments got underway in late October for mature greens and grape tomatoes in small normal early fall volumes.
DiMare Co., of Homestead, FL is facing reduced tomato yields with early season volumes due to rains.
In central Florida, the cabbage harvest has just started, but decent volume is not expected until early January.
Florida tomatoes and vegetables – grossing about $1800 to Chicago.
There is good news for Florida citrus shipments as adequate volumes on most items are expected this season.
U.S. growers have been harvesting grapefruit and oranges for juices in high volumes while navels and tangerines were hitting the fresh market in limited, but increasing volumes.
The USDA projection for early, midseason and navel varieties in Florida is up 6 percent from October, at 36 million boxes, but down slightly from last season’s final shipments.
Some observers believe Florida citrus volume has finally bottomed out and is getting ready to increase again, although this could take five to 10 years. It was not indicated, but could this bottoming out be an indication the industry is turning the corner in fight citrus greening, which has been devastating Florida citrus groves?
Orange Shipments
The USDA has projected 2016-2017 Florida orange shipments at 72 million boxes, up 3 percent from October.
The USDA forecast of 72 million boxes was down 12 percent from last season’s final shipments.
The forecast of 36 million boxes of Florida valencia oranges for November was the same as the October forecast, down 21 percent from last season’s final volume.
Juice orange volume is expected to be substantially down the latter part of the season. Florida is expecting could Valencia movement as California’s valencia season has ended and the imported navel season has finished.
Grapefruit Shipments
The Indian River and central Florida citrus regions escaped serious damage from Hurricane Matthew, which rolled along the state’s East Coast in early October.
Florida is predicted to ship 9.6 million cartons — 11 percent lower than last season and the lowest level in 50 years.
Tangerines
There has been a shortage of tangerines, although volume has been increasing in recent weeks.
Coming in our December 5th post, a look at Florida fall vegetable shipments.
South and Central Florida citrus and vegetables – grossing about $2100 to New York City.
What a difference a year makes when it comes to onion shipments across the nation.Unlike last fall and winter, the 2016-7 shipping season for onions may not be better for growers and shippers, but it should mean a significant increase in loading opportunities for onion haulers. Okay, so onions not be offer prime freight rates.
Peri & Sons Farms, Yerington, N.Y., is an onion grower and shipper has sees plenty of global onion supplies. The company also has onion operations in the Mason Valley of Nevada and the Imperial and San Joaquin Valleys of California. Yields this past growing season were phenomenal.
While Peruvian onion imports are up slightly year-to-date – about 20 percent, overall import volumes from Peru will be down being slightly down from last season. Peruvian sweet onions are imported from September to February.
It is too early to tell what imported Mexican volume will be.
Generally, Northwest onion shipments this season appears to be similar to last year. The Northwest sweet onions are harvested in August and September and sold in the winter months with best quality product available in September and October. The biggest volume area in the Northwest this time of year is in western Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon. About 1,000 truck loads are being shipped weekly.
Western Idaho/Eastern Oregon storage onions – grossing about $3200 to Chicago; $5100 to New York City.
The Peruvian Mayan sweets are available from September to January, but because they aren’t storage onions, they’re continually harvested to provide fresh product.
Sweet onions from Walla Walla, WA has been declining in recent years and is down from its peak of 1,200 acres. However, some observers believe the decline has reached a low and is now stabilizing.
Vidalia sweet onions are grown in Tattnall and Toombs counties in Georgia and are shipped from late April to August.
Check out where in the nation the biggest demand for produce truckers is….Also, there are reasons South Texas is becoming a bigger player for hauling Mexican imported produce. Plus, what’s up with pomegranates.
Idaho Potato Shipments
The biggest demand for produce trucking in the country is coming out of the Twin Falls, ID area. Easily, the largest potato shipping state, Idaho is currently averaging about 2000 truck load equivalents of mostly russet potatoes per week.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $2200 to Atlanta.
California Pomegranate Shipments
Most pomegranates for the holiday season have already been shipped because of a short crop due to heavy October rains. The USDA reports only 120,000 pounds of U.S. pomegranates shipped between November 6 – 12, off from 660,000 between November 8 – 14 a year ago. The year-to-date total for U.S. pomegranate shipments is 7.56 million pounds, down from 9.17 million pounds at the same point last year.
California’s Pom Wonderful accounts for about 60 percent of the pomegranate shipments, which normally lasts through January.
Crown Jewels Produce, of Fresno, normally ships through the second week of December, but finished its season a month early. Its volume is down about 30 percent.
Simonian Fruit of Fowler, CA typically ships pomegranates into January, or February, but will wrap up its season by Christmas if not sooner.
Mexican Import Growth
Mexico continues to play a pivotal role in the Texas produce industry.
“We’ve seen tremendous growth in our Texas ports of entry on the import side,” Bret Erickson, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association, said recently. “It’s important to recognize also that many of our largest producers in Texas are also some of our largest importers, so the import industry plays a real critical role in the overall success of the produce industry in Texas.”
Import volumes were up nearly 25 percent in 2015 from the previous year, and a significant volume of fresh produce coming from Mexico now goes through Texas.
This has resulted in volumes of fresh produce coming through Pharr, TX just about equaling tonnage in Nogales, AZ.
Reasons for the increase in import volume include a new highway system in Mexico, which serves as a pipeline from the main production area of Mexico straight to south Texas.
Weather and labor issues in the U.S. have also contributed. However, the import growth rate is expected to slow in the coming years as the infrastructure in the area expands to handle the volume now being transported.
The boom in infrastructure in south Texas is certainly a positive economic impact to the state of Texas in terms of jobs and construction companies getting bids to build cold storage facilities, with some being as large as 100,000 square feet.
Mexcian imports through South Texas – grossing bout $3100 to Miami.
South American country Peru has become quite ambitious about the blueberry, even claiming it could become the world’s biggest blueberry producer within the next two years. That claim was made by Peruvian Minister of Agriculture Jose Hernandez.
Living in Peru recently had a commentary entitled Peru on Its Way to Becoming Leader in Blueberry Exports (November, 2014). The writer was optimistic about Peru’s blueberry industry, stating that “while Peru continues to successfully export staple-goods like coffee, potatoes, and quinoa, the blueberry market has, in the span of only a couple of years, made an important niche for itself.”
Peruvian blueberry growers are looking to grow as much as 20,000 ton of blueberries in 2016. This seems quite possible since just in the first three months of 2016 alone, Peruvian farmers grew 3,600 tons of blueberries, four times the amount during the same period in 2015. If this trend continues, by the end of the year, Peru could have exported as much as $200 million worth of blueberries.
A critical issue regarding the future of blueberry production is farming land. The good news is that according to Alfonso Velasquez Tuesta, president of Sierra Exportadora, the goal for this year is to have abut 7900 acres of land growing blueberries.. Most of the farming land is found in La Libertad region.
Peru’s avocado exports to China totaled 12,319 tons in 2015. This year, this figure is expected to rise by 84 percent to 22,764 tons, and by 2017 an additional 63 percent would it bring it to 37,075 tons.
Peru is now the 10th largest exporter of fruits in the world, having exported $2.714 million worth of fruits from January to August.
Additional Facts:
-Fruits accounted for 12.4 percent of all Peruvian exports during the same period. Peru also became the largest Latin American exporter of mandarins in the first eight months of 2016 (worth $106.8 million).
The country’s global exports of cranberries reached $41.3 million, up 125.6 percent from last year.
The Trade Bureau concluded by saying: Peru’s exports are expected to rise even further, since the US, Netherlands and Spain account for 53 percent of its non-traditional fruit exports.
While California desert shipments may not be exactly enormous, vegetable loadings are now taking place out of California’s Coachella Valley and the nearby Imperial Valley.
Green bean and bell pepper loadings have been increasing lately as the California winter desert vegetable shipments gear up. Grower-shippers in the state’s Coachella and Imperial valleys expect adequate volume with mixed vegetables and leafy greens.
Cauliflower shipments will be on a bit of a roller coaster ride bringing back memories of volatility of that crop last summer when it was coming out of Salinas.
Coachella’s Prime Time International was cranking up its green bean loadings prior to Thanksgiving, while its green pepper shipments got started in October. Green peppers are now being joined by red peppers. Green bell pepper production in the California desert was already well underway as November began, but red bells were just kicking off November 1st.
In the Imperial Valley, Coastline Family Farms at Brawley has just started harvest of mixed vegetables, with head lettuce kicking off around December 5th. Starting last week was Pacific International Marketing with conventional spinach in Brawley and El Centro, CA, with organic lettuce and conventional broccoli just now getting underway.
Desert artichoke loadings will begin in late November from Ocean Mist Farms, which is headquartered in Castroville, CA. Shipments should continue into the second week of March. The shipper now grows over 30 vegetables in the desert and has doubled its brussels sprouts acreage. Ocean Mist also for the first time will ship Coachella Valley-grown head lettuce to supplement its production in Yuma, AZ. The company started shipping romaine hearts, leafy greens and broccoli in mid November, with cauliflower getting underway right after Thanksgiving.
California’s Imperial Valley and nearby Yuma, AZ – shipments of head, romaine and leaf lettuce, as well as broccoli, cantaloupe and honeydew – grossing about $4900 to Atlanta.