Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Stone or soft fruit shipments from Washington state are peaking. Meanwhile, here’s a round up mango shipments from key countries.
As the Washington state summer soft fruit shipping season enters final months, peak loadings are now underway for the next month.
For example, Stemilt Growers LLC of Wentachee, WA will be peaking with shipment of Artisan Organic peaches and nectarines that started in late July.
Based in south central Washington state, Artisan Organics peaches and nectarines are grown in arid and almost desert-like climates. These climates coincide with warm days, which allow peaches and nectarines to achieve high sugar levels and cool nights that allow the tree to rest and give stone fruit the opportunity to establish beautiful coloring. The climate combined with volcanic soils gives peaches and nectarines the necessary nutrients to flourish.
The company’s Douglas family transistioned to growing organic fruit about a decade ago.
Washington stone fruit, apples and pears – grossing about $4800 to Chicago.
Mango Update
by National Mango Board
The Mango Crop Report from the National Mango Board has been updated.
Mango volume shipped on week ending 7/29/17 was approximately 3.2 million boxes.
- During the same week last year, volume shipped was approximately 2.9 boxes.
Mexico Mango Shipments
- Mexican mango shipping season began in January and will run until October with a projection of approximately 74 million boxes.
Volume on week ending 7/29/17
- Volume shipped from Mexico was approximately 3.2 million boxes for a total of 62 million boxes for the season.
- During the same week last year, volume shipped from Mexico was approximately 2.9 million boxes for a total of 60.4 million boxes.
Haiti Mango Crop
- The Haitian season began in March and will ran until August with a projection of approximately 2.1 million boxes.
Volume on week ending 7/29/17
- Volume shipped from Haiti was approximately 5,053 boxes for a total of 2.2 million boxes for the season. During the same week last year, volume shipped from Haiti was not available.
Brazil Mango Crop
- The Brazilian season will begin in August and will run until November with a projection of 7.8 million boxes.
Please note:
- U.S. entry ports report incoming mango volume on different schedules; some report daily and some weekly. This will cause discrepancies between the volume shipped from the source and the volume arrived at the U.S. entry ports in any given week.
- Boxes are 8.8 lbs (4.0 kg). Boxes from Haiti are 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg)
2018 will be a big rebound for California avocado shipments, if some observers are correct. Conventional avocado volume is expected to hit 2.275 billion pounds in 2017.
The Hass Avocado Board of Mission Viejo, CA believes there will be a 90 million-pound increase from 2,189 billion pounds in 2016. There should be a lot more avocados for hauling next year, with early projections ranging from 400 million to 425 million pounds. Those statistics include avocados from California, Peru, Chile and the Dominican Republic.
Mexico exported 1.7 billion pounds of avocados to the U.S. the shipping year ending in June, which was off from the original estimate of almost 2 billion pounds.
U.S. avocado volume has been increasing an average of about 15 percent over the past 10 to 15 years, but 2017 was the first year when the total shipments declined.
As supplies of California and Peruvian fruit taper off in late August and into early September, loading opportunities will be limited until Mexico’s aventajada crop starts ramping up in September. California’s 200-million-pound crop was about half the size of last year’s.
With Mexico’s next crop starting in September, it is expected to significantly boost loading opportunities with an expected 1,000 or more trucks per week. Mexico will hit its stride after Labor Day,with 45 million to 50 million-pound being shipped a week.
Peru doubled its exports to the U.S. this year compared to 2016, according to the Peruvian Avocado Commission in Washington, D.C.
Peruvian growers will export 140 million pounds of avocados to the U.S. this summer, compared with 70 million pounds last year, and next year’s crop should be even larger.
About Hass Avocado Board
The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) is an agriculture promotion group established in 2002 to promote the consumption of Hass Avocados in the United States. A 12-member board representing domestic producers and importers of Hass Avocados directs HAB’s promotion, research and information programs under supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Funding for HAB comes from Hass avocado producers and importers in the United States.
Ventura County cabbage and greens – grossing about $6900 to New York City.
Pennsylvania apple shipments have started, plus an update on how apples are moving from California operations.
Rice Fruit Co. of Gardners, Pennsylvania have recently started its stone fruit season, which will continue until Labor Day. Shipments started with the company’s Premier Honeycrisp apple, an early season Honeycrip varietal. It will be shipped until mid-August.
The apple grower/shipper started with stonefruit, which is a short, fast and furious season, before quickly turning to apples, including the seasonal varietal ginger gold, the first-to-market Premier Honeycrisp and shortly thereafter, gala.
Rice Fruit Co. today is the largest fresh apple packing facility east of the Mississippi. Besides the fruit grown by R&L Orchards, the company packs fruit for about 75 other fruit-growing families, mostly in Adams County, but some from as far away as Virginia and New York. The company packs fruit year-round, using 18 controlled atmosphere storage rooms. In the spring and summer months, it also stores and repacks fruit from the southern hemisphere.
California Apple Shipments
California’s apple shipments got underway in mid-July and continues through early October. The early California apple forecast projects about 1.6 million boxes of which about 1.2 million boxes will go to processing.
No doubt California is a minor shipper of apples compared to Washington state that ships more apples in a week than the Golden State does over an entire year. California does not store apples, unlike Washington which places most of its fruit in storage for a near year around shipping season.
Calfiornia is the first state in the U.S. to ship apples from a new crop every year.
Although a large percentage of California apples are sold domestically, nearly 20 percent of California apple volume is moved offshore to places such as Canada, Mexico and Southeast Asia.
Primavera Marking of Linden, CA, which ships 90 percent of its apples to retailers, just started harvesting Galas the week of July 24 It will start shipping Fujis around Aug. 15, Granny Smiths around Aug. 28 and Pink Ladies the week of Oct. 16.
The opportunities for produce haulers to haul imported fresh fruit and vegetables continues to increase as foreign farming operations increasingly recognize the demand in the United States and Canada for year around availability of produce. Here we take a look at the exports of two South American countries, who are exporting a majority of their fresh produce to North America.
Peruvian Blueberries
Five years ago there were virtually no blueberries being grown, much less exported by Peru. Today, the South American country has 10,000 acres and continues to expand due to surging demand from the U.S., Europe, and China, according to the USDA report.
The U.S. is Peru’s primary export market, account for over 50 percent of blueberry exports in 2016 (54 percent). Much fewer “blues” are exported to the Netherlands (24 percent), the UK (13 percent) and Canada (2 percent).
The USDA report points out total exports of Peruvian blueberries are projected to reach 40,000 metric tons in 2017, up 42 percent from 28,139 metric tons in 2016 and nearly four times the exports of 10,303 metric tons in 2015. The bulk of Chile’s fresh blueberry exports to the U.S. arrive from September to December, though export shipments can begin in August and continue into April.
The majority of Peru’s blueberry farms are found in the northern coastal region of La Libertad, where the sunny and dry climate allows for nearly year-round harvest.
Peru’s blueberries rank third among that country’s fresh fruit exports.
Peruvian Asparagus
While Peruvian asparagus exports are expected to be lighter than normal during the first half of the season, shipments are expected to make up a lot of ground the second half of the season. However, by season’s end, total volume is expected to be close to normal. Peak Peruvian exports should kick in around Labor Day.
Chilean Grape Wrap up
Grape exports to North America by Chile rose 11 percent in the 2016-17 season. The Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association reports that exports to North America totaled 364,770 metric tons, up 11 percent compared with 2015-16.
Additionally the USDA confirms U.S. imports of Chilean grapes from October 2016 through May 2017 totaled 341,000 metric tons, up 10 percent from the previous year.
North America buyers received half of Chile’s total 2016-17 exports of just more than 730,000 metric tons. Chilean grape exports to all global destinations were up 4 percent in 2016-17.
In 2016-17, the Far East received 23 percent of Chilean grape exports, with Europe taking 17 percent and other destinations accounting for 9 percent of exports.
Washington potato shipments for the new season are underway, while Vidalia onion loadings continue. In British Columbia (BC), blueberry shipments are in peak volume.
Washington state’s potato season got underway in July with some early variety chipping varieties, followed by some colored varieties out of the Yakima Valley. Then came some early processing spuds, followed by fresh market russets.
Fresh potato acerage in Washington has been stable at about 25,000 acres for several years now. Around 70 percent of the state’s potatoes are destined for export markets, comprised mostly of processed products. Most of Washington tablestock potatoes are shipped to Canada, Mexico and Taiwan. The state also has red potatoes coming out of the Skagit Valley.
While Washington potato sheds ship russets the year-round, its red, yellow and white potatoes usually are finished by March or April.
Vidalia Onion Shipments
Steady volume with Vidalia onions is expected to continue through Labor Day. Truck shipments are expected to be very similar to last year’s total volume of 6.2 million 40-pound boxes, coming off of Southeastern Georgia’s nearly 12,000 acres, As of July 26, there were still about 750,000 40-pound cartons of onions remaining in storage.
Bland Farms of Glennville, GA, expects to be shipping Vidalia onions out of storage through late August or early September, with a smooth transition expected to Peruvian imports in September. Imported Peruvian onions will continue for the U.S. into early next year.
A little over 200 truck loads per week are being shipped out of the Vidalia district
Vidalia onions – grossing about $3000 to New York City.
BC Blueberry Shipments
British Columbia’s blueberry shipments should peak through August and could last into early September. In a more normal year, most British Columbia “blues” would be shipped to markets in the Western U.S. However, with East Coast blueberry volume slashed this year due to weather factors, more BC blueberries will be trucked into the Eastern Time Zone. However, BC shipments could be off 30 to 50 percent this season due to poor pollination. As the BC season closes around Labor Day, imports of blueberries from Peru and Argentina will start arriving at U.S. ports.
Here’s some shipping updates including California strawberries, plus some not so obvious ones such as garlic, Indiana potatoes and imported citrus from Chile.
This has been one of the best season’s for California strawberry shipments as volume, quality and more predictable loadings have been much better than the past three or four years. Good volume should continue from Watsonville heading toward autumn. Last week about 1,000 truck loads were shipped. That should mean good loading opportunities into September, before the transition to shipments out of Oxnard, CA, which will continue into December.
For example, Well-Pict of Watsonville, CA grows and ships strawberries and raspberries for the late-season on about 700 acres in Oxnard. Naturipe Berry Growers of Salinas, CA has a fall crop in Santa Maria, CA., with best loading opportunities coming toward an end-of-August, or early September.
Salinas Valley strawberries and vegetables – grossing about $7400 to New York City.
Garlic Shipments
Most garlic shipments in the U.S. are coming out of California, where supplies are plentiful and quality is good. For example, Christopher Ranch of Gilroy, CA had to cut garlic plantings by about 10 percent the past couple of years due to the drought, but have now rebounded with volume this season being a little above normal. Loadings of garlic started last June and will continue until early September.
Meanwhile, Spice World Inc. of Orlando, FL and The Garlic Co. in Shafter, CA also have good volume out of California.
Indiana Potato Shipments
Red potato shipper Black Gold Farms of Grand Forks, ND starts harvesting spuds this week at its Winamac, IN farming operation and will be shipping through the month. This is the fifth year of the Indiana program.
Chilean Navel Imports
Chile’s navel orange shipments through the week of July 10th were 29 percent over a year ago with 35,591 tons, compared to last season’s 27,600 tons. However, the season started late, but will end two to three weeks earlier this year due to a smaller crop and weather issues. That means imports to the U.S. lasting through October.
Mission Produce continues it’s expansion with an agreement to distribute Columbian avocados, while Washington cherry shipments continue on its record setting marathon.
Mission Produce of Oxnard has entered into an agreement market and distribute for Colombian avocado grower-packer Cartama.
“Colombia produces avocados on a year-round basis, and is a natural complement for our destination markets around the world,” Jim Donovan, senior vice president of global sourcing for Mission Produce, said in a press release. “Our agreement with Cartama to market and distribute Colombian avocados gives us an additional source of supply as the category continues to grow globally.”
Cartama is the largest producer of hass avocados in Colombia, and has been growing and distributing avocados for over 16 years. It will have nearly 2,500 acres of hass in production by the end of 2017.
“We are very enthusiastic about the venture with Mission,” Ricardo Uribe, CEO of Cartama, said in the release. “Cartama is a world-class producer of hass avocados and working with Mission gives us access to world markets and the ability to accelerate our aggressive growth plans.”
Steve Barnard, president and CEO of Mission Produce, said Colombia is the eighth country where Mission has invested capital and infrastructure.
“We are continuing to grow our global footprint and planning for the future,” Barnard said in the release.
Just this year, Mission Produce has opened ripening centers in Beijing, Calgary, Alberta, and The Netherlands.
Record Cherry Shipments
Washington cherry shipments are expected to be the largest one on record this season with an estimated 26 million-27 million 20-pound boxes being shipped, mostly by truck.
The record, set in 2014, was 23.2 million boxes. The Washington cherry industry has averaged 530,000 boxes per day for the previous 30 days. Previously, Washington had not come close to averaging even 500,000 boxes a day for that length of time.
This season the industry has already shipped 21 million boxes, and nearly a quarter of the crop remains to be shipped. While a couple of grower-shippers have finished shipping cherries, numerous others have several weeks remaining.
A new marketing agreement between two California produce companies should result in about one million cases of persimmons being shipping this season. Meanwhile, we take a final look at the recent Florida and Texas citrus shipping seasons, while giving a glimpse of what is to come on the West Coast.
MPG, Inc., one of the largest persimmon growers in the United States, and The Giumarra Companies of Los Angeles have announced an agreement that will kick off in late August. About one million cases of persimmon will be shipped starting at the end of August from California’s San Joaquin Valley. Fall persimmon shipments from California will conclude about December 1st. Then persimmons from Spain will be available from November through February arriving at Port of Philadelphia.
While persimmons are considerrd a niche commodity, great potential is seen by many for the fruit.
MPG was founded in 2002 as a family operation and has since grown to be among the most largest producers persimmons in the U.S. , extensive acreage of Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons in thes San Joaquin Valley. MPG is also a partnered grower of Spanish persimmons that will be imported following the conclusion of the domestic season, extending distribution for programs into February.
Fuyu persimmons will be offered in one-layer cartons or 2 lb high-graphic handle bags in a 31.5 lb master case and other specialized program packaging. Giumarra’s Nature’s Partner brand. Hachiya persimmons will be shipped in a one-layer carton or consumer packs in counts of 10, 11, or 12.
Citrus Shipping Round Up
Florida orange shipments totaled 68.7 million 90-pound boxes, down 16 percent from the 2015-16 season and down 29 percent from the 2014-15 season, according to the final USDA forecast for the 2016-17 season.
Florida orange shipments have declined significantly in the last decade as a result of rampant citrus greening disease.
The USDA projection for volume was up 200,000 boxes from its June estimate of 68.5 million boxes.
Florida tangerine and tangelo loadings were up 14.5 percent to 1.62 million boxes.
There were bout 7.8 million 85-pound boxes of Florida grapefruit down 27.8 percent from a year ago and down 39.5 percent from 2014-15. Shipments from California and Texas were relatively steady from last season, with 4 million and 4.8 million 80-pound boxes projected, respectively.
California orange shipments also were off, estimated at 48 million 80-pound boxes, down from 58.5 million in the 2015-16 season.
California, which accounts for most domestic lemon shipments, is expected to move about 19 million 80-pound boxes this season, down about 9 percent from 2015-16.
California tangerine and tangelo production grew 11 percent to 24 million boxes. Tangelos are shipped in 90-pound boxes, while tangerines go out in 80-pound boxes from California and in 95-pound boxes from Florida.
A visit by “Jack Frost” last spring suckered punch Michigan apple growers and the result will be fewer loading opportunities in the new season set to start soon.
Michigan apple shipments for the upcoming season have taken a significant hit due to a frost last May. It is expected to result in nearly 30 percent fewer truck loads from the from 2016 17-shipping season.
While the official USDA forecast will come out August 10th, the industry’s Premier 2017 Apple Production Estimate pegs the Michigan crop at 20 million (42-pound) cartons, off 29 percent from a year ago and 8 percent less than the five-year average.
Among the biggest losers from the spring cold were jonagolds and McIntosh, which suffered significant frost damage on May 8. Having much better luck were galas, Honeycrisp and fuji apples.
Riveridge Produce Marketing Inc. of Sparta, MI is among the state’s largest apple shippers. The company expects about three-quarters of a full crop.
Initially, the USDA estimates 27.98 million cartons of fresh and processed fruit for Michigan apples.
Total fresh Michigan apple shipments through early July were nearly 9 million cartons, with most of the fresh apples from the old shipped by mid-July.
First harvest of paulareds and gingergold apples is expected around the third week of August.
U.S. Apple Shipments
The USDA in its June forecast — the final one for the 2016-17 — the agency raised its 2016 estimate for Washington apple shipments by 8 percent compared with the August 2016 estimate. The USDA also raised its estimate for 2016 U.S. apple production from 248 million (42-pound) cartons in August 2016 to its final estimate of 268 million cartons.
The Premier estimate shows the 2017 U.S. apple crop at 255.57 million cartons, which is down 5 percent from the final USDA estimate for the 2016 crop of 268.4 million cartons.
The 2017 Premier production estimate for Washington state calls for production of 165 million cartons in 2017, down 5.3 percent from 174.3 million cartons produced in 2016 but 9 percent higher than the five-year average. About 80 percent of Washington apples are shipped fresh.
While New Jersey “blues” are entering the final leg of the blueberry shipping season, carrot loading opportunities out of Washington state will increase significantly this year.
Entering the second week of July, 2017 New Jersey blueberry shipments were about 65 percent completed. Grower-shippers here were already describing it as one of the better seasons in years. Jersey “blues” should wrap up during the first week of August.
This season is marked by more fresh market and fewer “blues” for processing than usual. Normally, about 80 percent of Jersey blueberries go to the fresh market, with the balance going to processors. Looking towards the end of the current season, some observers believe nearly 90 percent will end up in the fresh market .
Washington Carrot Shipments
By Grimmway Farms
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Grimmway Farms, a global produce leader and the world’s largest producer of carrots, July 18th announced it has activated its Pasco, WA., baby carrot processing facility to provide customers with freight savings and additional shipping options during the July – November harvesting season.
“We’re pleased to offer more shipping options to our customers in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. Providing access to our baby carrots through this additional resource allows these customers to better serve their markets,” said Jeff Huckaby, president of Grimmway Farms. “Our Pasco facility is a great option for customers and distribution centers that manage high volumes of both conventional and organic varieties of our baby carrots. We look forward to leveraging this facility to provide our customers with an outstanding experience throughout this busy harvest season.”
Grimmway’s Pasco facility was modeled after the company’s Malaga facility – its premier baby carrot processing facility located in Arvin, CA – which was designed for optimal efficiency and minimal waste.
Following two seasons of small runs, 2017 marks the first time that Grimmway’s Pasco facility is being operated at larger capacity to enhance customer shipping logistics of orange cut and peeled baby carrots – the company’s most popular item. Customers who obtain other types of produce from growers in the Pacific Northwest can combine Grimmway’s baby carrots with other commodities via the Pasco facility to reduce their transportation and logistical costs.
To contact the Grimmway Farms’ Pasco facility, call (661) 391-5290.