Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Taking a look at Salinas Valley vegetable shipments this summer and you get a good hint at one reason why California produce have been less than stellar.
California’s coastal valleys near Santa Maria and Salinas have experienced unusually warm nights all summer long, which has resulted in some hollow hearts and other issues that basically reduced Iceberg and other varieties of lettuce volume and the weight of each head. Less tonnage per acre has resulted in a demand-exceeds-supply situation, with Iceberg lettuce prices topping $20 per carton.
The lack of lettuce quality is closer to what you normally find in late September or October. The lighter amount of lettuce shipments could continue until the end of the coastal valley deals in mid- to late October. In fact, improvements may not come until the transition to Huron in the San Joaquin Valley in the fall. However, many grower-shippers won’t be planting lettuce in Huron this fall because of the California drought.
The shortage appears to be mostly with various types of lettuce category, while supplies of broccoli, cauliflower and most of the other staple vegetable volumes are adequate.
Something else to consider is El Niño. Meteorologists studying the Pacific Ocean say the warm water patterns are surfacing from the equator to much farther north off the California coast which may mean very heavy fall and winter rains. If this weather pattern becomes a reality many low lying produce fields could become flooded, cutting into acreage and shipments.
Most are predicting that if the El Niño conditions that currently exist do bring huge amounts of rain, they will probably start in late September, with the brunt of the storms hitting from December through February. If that occurs, produce shipments could get cut short, and next season growers would have to delay planting in many fields. Enough speculation. We’ll have to wait and see.
Salinas Valley vegetables – grossing about $4600 to Chicago; $6700 to New York City.
Here’s the outlook for Michigan apple shipments, as well imports for sweet onions from Peru.
Michigan has had three straight strong apple shipping seasons after having three very difficult seasons in a short period. In 2012 devastating freezes wiped out almost all of the state’s apples. In 2010 there was hail damage and a short crop. In 2007,T every district in the state had hail damage.
Michigan apple shipments are expected to be down only slightly last year.
Harvest of Paula Reds started about Aug. 15th, while Honeycrisp and Galas should get underway the second week of September.
Picking of Honeycrisp harvest should begin around Sept. 12-15 , while the Gala harvest will commence about August 30th. Red and Golden Delicious gets underway about September 29th and Fujis should start about October 25th.
Michigan vegetables and apples – grossing about $2600 to Dallas.
Peruvian Sweet Onion Imports
Peruvian Sweet Onion Imports will be down substantially this season from the 135,000 tons shipped during the 2014-15 season. Peruvian sweet onion hectares are down this season by 30 percent due to overproduction and very poor prices last season (1 hectare = 2.471 acres). About half of Peru’s onion supplies last season were available for export. The other half of the crop was left in fields unharvested.
Peru has planted about 3,500 hectares of sweet onions this season, down from normal plantings of 2,500 and 3,000 hectares. The United States is the main market for Peruvian sweet onions, receiving approximately 80 percent of the volume.
West Texas watermelons are now being loaded, plus here’s an update on California Valencia orange shipments in the latter part of the season before navels get underway.
Texas Watermelon Shipments
Watermelon shipments are underway from West Texas, with good growing conditions and rainfall report to be producing one of the regions better crops. For example, loadings are now taking place with Warren Produce LLC, out of Brownfield, Tx. Acreage is up a little in West Texas this season, particularly on seeded watermelon varieties. Shipments are expected to continue through August and September.
West Texas watermelons – grossing about $2600 to Chicago.
California Orange Shipments
California valencia shippers are reporting brisk loadings of high-quality fruit after a lull the first half of August. Volume has picked back up, especially with the kids starting back to school. Meanwhile, the forecast for the upcoming navel shipments, initially is showing lower volume ahead due to water restrictions.
Valencia shipments have been a mixed bag this summer, as growers approach water restrictions in different ways. Some shippers pushed heavy at the front end of the season, while others took a break and are now increasing shipments heading into fall. Valencia shipments should be strong until early October, about two weeks before growers transition to navels.
The initial estimate of 20 million cartons of California valencias could wind up being slightly high.
Southern California citrus – grossing about $5600 to Atlanta.
Here’s an update on California fall produce shipments, plus a glimpse at the outlook for Oregon potato shipments.
Among the leading items for fall produce loadings out of California are grapes, apples and citrus.
Grape Shipments
California ships over 60 percent of its table grapes after September 1st. Total California grape shipments this season are estimated at 113.3 million 19-pound boxes. So far grape quality has generally been good. However, we need to keep an eye on hot, humid and occasional rainy weather that could adversely affect quality.
San Joaquin Valley grapes and other items – grossing about $6700 to New York City.
Apple Shipments
California gala apple shipments got off to a slow start in mid July mainly because of Washington state’s old crop still being shipped. Loadings have now picked up. Fujis and granny smith apples shipments get underway in September, followed by pink lady in mid October. Primavera Marketing Inc., of Stockton, CA is the state’s largest apple shipper, with about 1.1 million boxes. The state’s apple shipments have taken a hit, however, with Bidart Bros. of Bakersfield, CA, pulling out of the apple business following a listeria outbreak at its packing facility. The company, which packed about 400,000 boxes of apples, is now focusing on other crops.
Citrus Shipments
California navel shipments should start in mid-October, although volume will be down this season due to 20,000 to 25,000 acres of trees being dozed because of the drought. For easy-peel fruit, satsumas will starte ahead of navels, in late September or early October.v Clementine loadings start soon after navels. Volumes should be up as younger trees come into production.
Oregon Potato Shipments
Oregon fresh potato shipments are expected to be similar to the 2014-15 season.
However, excessive heat could change spuds as the harvest progresses, especially if vines start dying early.
The table stock harvest started in early August from the Columbia Basin, with harvest in the Klamath Basin following shortly thereafter.
Oregon fresh potato shipments are 17 percent of total state production, with fresh acreage being approximately 7,000 acres.
Oregon potatoes – grossing about $4300 to Chicago.
Here’s an update on imported items arriving at ports on both the East Coast and West Coast of the United States.
Chilean avocado production this season is expected to increase a whopping 45 percent, estimated at 390 million pounds. Of this total, it’s estimate 100 million pounds will be exported to the United States, a significant increase over a year ago. For the 2014-15 marketing season, Chile had a total volume of 260 million pounds. Chilean avocados should start arriving at U.S. ports by September, with the best volume coming in by early October and continuing through March.
Chilean avocado imports have always had a strong following on the West Coast so volumes to this region are typically higher, although arrivals will occur at ports on both coasts.
Port of Long Beach imports, plus Southern California citrus, avocados, tomatoes – grossing about $4600 to Chicago.
South African Imports
Citrus imports from South Africa, as well as from Peru, are arriving in light to moderate volume, primarily at the Port of Philadelphia. Items range from clementines to oranges, tangelos and tangerines.
Avocado Imports
There is good volume with Chilean avocado imports arriving on both coasts, such as the Port of Long Beach and Port of Philadelphia.
South Florida Imports
There’s a lot of different imported produce items arriving at South Florida ports. However it is pretty light with commodities ranging from ginger to chayote, malanga blanca (yam) and clabaza (a large winter squash), among others.
The third largest apple shipping season on record is forecast for the 2015-16 out of Washington state.
Virtually all shipments, which will originate out of the Yakima and Wenatchee Valleys, are pegged at 125.2 million cartons, compared to the record 140-million-carton 2014-15 fresh crop. The new season forecast for shipments, if holds true, would be just below the 128.3 million cartons shipped in 2012-13.
The harvest this season, due to hot weather, got underway a week or more early with galas, which started August 6th. Apple haulers will be loading a rising amount of gala and Honeycrisp, but will see declines in red and golden delicious compared with the past three seasons. 10 million fewer cartons of red delicious are expected to be shipped this season, compared to a year ago.
Some Washington state growers have removed red and golden delicious trees and planted Honeycrisp and other varieties.
Red delicious apples now account for 25 percent of the crop, followed by gala with 23 percent, fuji at 13.7 percent, granny smith at 13 percent and 7 percent for Honeycrisp.
Honeycrisp has passed golden delicious in expected fresh shipments. Observers expect Honeycrisp production — near 9 million fresh cartons now — to continue to climb.
Yakima Valley apple shipments – grossing about $4700 to Dallas; $6500 to New York City.
From New Jersey, to Mexican imports in South Texas to the arrivals of Peruvian asparagus, here are some possible loading opportunities.
New Jersey Produce Shipments
New Jersey peach shipments are now moving in good volume. There are nearly 5,000 acres of red and white peach tree orchards in New Jersey.
The Garden state also is shipping cucumbers, squash, peppers and beans, among other veggies. Jersey planted 6,300 acres of sweet corn last year and similar acreage and volume is expected this year.
Peruvian Asparagus
As Peruvian asparagus growers move into their peak season, exporters are already ahead of the projected volumes for 2015. Peru produces asparagus throughout the year thanks to a favorable climate. Production areas are situated both in north and south of Peru, allowing exports to the United States after domestic shipments have finished. Peru exported nearly 220 million pounds of fresh asparagus in 2014, which represented an increase of 6.84 percent over export volume in 2013. The U.S. was the chief destination for fresh Peruvian asparagus, accounting for 60 percent of total volume. “Grass” arrivals are primarily at ports on both U.S. coasts.
Mexican Lemon Shipments
Beginning in mid-August, imports of Mexican lemons will start with product crossing the border at McAllen, Tx, which is during the seasonal gap between the California coastal and desert growing regions. Shipments through McAllen also offers a substantial savings on transportation for shipments to the Midwest and East Coast, compared to California. Product will be available through mid-October, leading into the start of California desert shipments.
Mexican fruits, vegetables crossing into the Lower Rio Grande Valley – grossing about $4500 to New York City.
Pacific Northwest Produce Shipments
Here’s an outlook for the new crop of pear shipments gearing up in a few weeks from the Pacific Northwest, plus an update on what’s happening in California.
The fourth largest volume of pear shipments out of the Pacific Northwest is seen for the 2015-16 season, with an estimated 20 million-plus boxes. While this is 2 percent below last year, it is 2 percent above a five-year average. Pear shipments last season was the second highest on record. The total Northwest summer-fall pear volume is anticipated to be approximately 4.8 million boxes, down 6 percent from 2014. The total Northwest winter pear volume is expected to be about 15.6 million boxes, unchanged from 2014.
Meanwhile, the old apple and pear crop continues to be shipped, while cherry loadings are virtually finished. Still, 2000 truck load equivalents of apples continue to be loaded weekly.
Yakima and Wenatchee Valley apple and pear shipments – grossing about $4400 to Chicago.
California Produce Shipments
San Joaquin Valley table grapes continue to be shipped in steady volume, averaging nearly 1500 truck loads per week….Northern California and the San Joaquin Valley may have modest pear shipments to the Northwest, the new crop is averaging around 175 truck loads per week…..The San Joaquin Valley continues to ship a wide variety of product ranging from cantaloupe, honeydew and other melons from the Westside district, plus the valley has a host of vegetables and tomatoes being loaded. Still, mostly adequate truck supplies are being reported to handle the demand.
San Joaquin Valley produce – grossing about $7100 to New York City.
From South Carolina peaches to Tar Heel state watermelons and finally – New York vegetables, here some loading opportunities.
South Carolina peaches shippers are touting one of their best seasons ever.
The peach state should easily surpass 4 million 25-pound boxes this season. This compares to last season when 3.5 million boxes were shipped.
South Carolina now has 20,000 acres of peach orchards, and recently surpassed the half-way mark in the season. The biggest peach shipper in the state is Titan Farms in Ridge Spring, SC, which has shipped about a million boxes this season and another million boxes is left to be moved. The shipper is reported to be loading about 100 truck loads per week.
Another shipper in the state is McLeod Farms in McBee, SC, which has peaches coming of off 650 acres.
South Carolina ranks second in peach shipments, with the Upstate and The Ridge area of the state, producing about 80 percent of the state’s peaches.
South Carolina peaches and vegetables – grossing bout $3200 to New York City.
North Carolina Watermelon Shipments
Watermelon rates went a little “crazy” this past week from the Tar Heel state, jumping by as much as 35 percent to Baltimore and Philly. Volume has jumped, with the state moving over 600 truck loads per week.
North Carolina watermelons – grossing about $1600 Baltimore.
New York Produce Shipments
Cabbage, beans and other vegetables from central and western areas of New York state are increasing in volume.
Michigan fresh blueberry shipment will be done much earlier this year than normal, and total volumes will be well below previous estimates.
If that isn’t disappointing enough there’s now a shipping gap this week which will last through August 10th. The lull in loadings is occurring with the transition from bluecrop to elliot varieties.
About 46 million pounds of fresh-market Michigan fruit should be shipped this season. This compares to about 47 million pounds shipped in both 2014 and 2013.
Fewer shipments this year dates back to bitter winter weather. Bushes less than one year of age and bushes older than five or six years were hit particularly hard, which will have a lingering effect on production. The next two or three seasons expect Michigan blueberry shipments to be down.
So the overall effects of the cold winter and subsequent June drop on the 2014-15 crop will be heavy when final damages are tabulated, and the effects will continue to be felt next season and beyond.
Late-season elliots, which are starting this week, survived the winter much better than earlier varieties. Shipments will be heavier in the later part of the season than in the early, which is completely backwards.
Michigan Vegetable Shipments
Michigan vegetable shipments are increasing or entering their peak season on items ranging from celery to cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant and squash, among others.
Michigan produce – grossing about $2800 to Dallas.