Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
The Texas spring onion season was underway in mid-March with plenty of good-quality product, according to shippers
The Onion House of Weslaco, TX started harvest about 10 days later than usual due to cold weather. However, it had Mexican onions in good volume by late February. Excellent supplies should be available through April and most of May.
The Onion House ships 1015-type sweet yellow, white and red onions.
Little Bear Produce of Edinburg, TX is reporting good quality and volume would be similar to last year, even though acreage industrywide may be lower.
Val Verde Vegetable Co. of McAllen, TX is shipping onions during April until the middle of May.
The company, which recently doubled the size of its packing facility to more than 200,000 square feet, is shipping yellow and red onions this spring.
It started harvesting organic onions in mid March, which is early for South Tex Organics.
The company, which also ships organic oranges and grapefruit, will offer organic onions from March into May.
Elgin, MN – Honeybear Brands, a leading grower and marketer of premium conventional and organic apples, pears and cherries, is delivering a fresh-picked crop of apples and pears to retailers nationwide beginning in March thanks to its Chilean operations.
Honeybear Brands is the leading apple importer from the Southern hemisphere, ensuring retailers have premium conditioned fresh fruit to offer shoppers during the spring and summer months.
“Incorporating imports in the fresh fruit mix is a smart long-term strategy as many domestic apples begin losing flavor and that crisp eating experience after months in storage,” says Don Roper, vice president sales and marketing, Honeybear Brands. “With near perfect weather in Southern Chile, Honeycrisp fruit sizing and quality this year should be terrific.”
Honeybear’s Chilean Honeycrisp crop started harvest in early March and will begin to arrive by April into its East Coast facilities. In addition to Honeycrisp, organic and conventional Gala, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Fuji, Pazazz, and pears will be available. With operations on both coasts, Honeybear maintains its leadership position in providing retailers with premium fruit, executing 100% supply assurance and ensuring lowest landed cost apple and pear programs.
With its broad array of orchards in Washington and the Midwest plus its import production in South America, Honeybear Brands provides a turnkey apple and pear program for retailers all year round.
About Honeybear Brands
Honeybear is family owned a leading grower and developer of premium apple varieties and has been in operation for more than 40 years.
As a leading vertically integrated, dual hemisphere grower, packer, shipper, Honeybear offers supply of premium apples and pears on a year-round basis. Honeybear Brands is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wescott Agri Products. For more information about Honeybear, visit www.honeybearbrands.com and follow on Facebook.
Mango imports by the U.S. have suffered as Peru, a primary supplier, has had a major drop in volume. Peru will conclude the 2023-24 season with a 73% decline in exported volume, leading to a 27% drop year-on-year for U.S. mango imports of all origins.
The National Mango Board revealed March 8 Peru shipped approximately 161,402 boxes (8.8lbs each) of mangos during week 9. That is nearly half of the 301,928 boxes Peru shipped the same week last year.
The drop in volume from Peru this season was caused by the El Niño phenomenon, which brought elevated temperatures adversely affecting the flowering of mango trees. This led to prices in the U.S. market to reach unprecedented levels this season.
On the other hand, the Mexican season, which starts later than Peru, is providing stable volumes to the United States. Total shipments from Mexico, expected to last through April, are projected to be 1% higher than last year.
On week 9, Mexico shipped approximately 1.6 million boxes, bringing the total to 5.4 million boxes for the season so far.
Mexican shipments started to ramp up in February.
In February, Continental Fresh of Miami, FL reported they were experiencing the peak of the mango crisis, and they had not expected the drop in volume to be so drastic.
However, the company noted the Mexican season meant positive developments coming soon.
Promotional volume from Mexico is anticipated to arrive by April, providing optimism that the industry could mitigate the effects of the current shortage.
Brazil was able to cover some of the shortage this season, with volumes up 31% year-on-year.
As the season progresses, with Peru, Mexico and Guatemala supplying the market, projections indicate that by week 18, all three sources will export have exported 39,343,728 boxes to the U.S., down from the 56,224,325 shipped in 2022-23.
Argentine Chamber of Integrated Fruit Growers (CAFI) expects pear volume to be down 7 percent this season, despite having a normal harvest.
The Abbé Fétel variety was most heavily affected, with a 20% drop in production. However, because it is a smaller variety, the decline did not affect overall volume.
CFAI indicates 180,000 tons will be shipped to the northern hemisphere, and another 50,000 tons to Latin America.
While the U.S. produces pears, CFAI believes the quality may not be as good as some season and this will contribute to Argentina still having a successful season.
Argentina pears are normally shipped by sea until around May to reach the Northern Hemisphere and all year round to Latin America.
It was pointed out by CFAI the USDA made an overly optimistic forcast on Nov. 6, estimating “higher yields for an increase of 317,200 metric tons.
Argentina currently has 49,421 acres planted with pears, but that poor weather and above-average drought conditions in January and February stalled production in 2023-24. Overall, production is estimated to be down by 7 percent.
Titan Farms of Ridge Spring, SC, one of the leading peach producers in the United States, announces its strategic collaboration with the Borquez family, bringing early access to the market with the first peaches harvested in the northern hemisphere. This partnership will not only lengthen Titan Farms’ peach season but also offer consumers a wider range of high-quality peaches.
Nestled in the heart of Sonora, Mexico, the Borquez family has cultivated a legacy of multi-generational farming expertise. Led by Luis Borquez and his sons, the Borquez family is renowned for their commitment to growing and packing exceptional peaches, showcasing unparalleled flavor profiles and quality. This groundbreaking partnership not only underscores Titan Farms’ commitment to quality produce but also introduces exclusive peaches from the unique microclimate and soils of Caborca, Sonora, Mexico.
By offering peaches from Mexico, Titan Farms gains a competitive edge in the market by providing early access to fresh, flavorful peaches. The Borquez family, renowned for their expertise and dedication to quality, predominantly grows USA varieties.
“This collaboration with the Borquez family marks a significant milestone for Titan Farms as we strive to meet consumer demand for fresh, delicious peaches through an extended season,” said Chalmers Carr, President and CEO of Titan Farms. “With early access to the market and our commitment to quality, we are excited to continue delivering the finest peaches to our customers.”
The peaches grown on Oasis Farms by the Borquez family and will be available in various pack styles.
About Titan Farms
Founded in 1999 by Chalmers and Lori Anne Carr, Titan Farms is a premier grower, packer and shipper of fresh peaches and vegetables. Today, Titan Farms is the largest peach grower on the east coast, with over 6,200 acres of peaches, 600 acres of bell peppers, 1,000 acres of broccoli and 36 acres of eggplant. Titan Farms is a family-run operation.
About Oasis Farms
The Borquez family is a multi-generational farming family located in Caborca, Sonora, Mexico. Led by Luis Borquez and his sons, the family is dedicated to growing and packing high-quality yellow peaches, showcasing exceptional flavor and freshness.
South Texas 1015 onion shipments have started from the Rio Grande Valley and early reports indicate a quality crop with normal volume.
The harvest of TX1015 onions has already begun in Texas’ southern counties. While a brisk January has affected early yields, availability is anticipated to rise substantially as temperatures increase in the Rio Grande Valley. Thanks to mild winter conditions, exceptional quality is anticipated.
Excellent quality, size, and availability are expected to continue throughout the summer as the harvest begins in the Wintergarden region in another 6-8 weeks. Overall, the season will bring an abundance of delicious TX1015 sweet onions, which will be available in stores across the country.
Consumer-facing promotions in this year’s campaign will extend to a broader audience than ever before. Shoppers should keep their eyes open for engaging promotions including the “Sizzlin’ Flavor” sweepstakes (which features over $1000 in prizes), monthly social media giveaways, a food influencer recipe contest, and the release of a cookbook highlighting the versatility of Texas’ favorite sweet onion, says Dante Galeazzi, manager of the South Texas Onion Committee and President of Texas International Produce Associationc of Mission, TX.
The start of Vidalia onion season is almost here, with the official pack date announced by the Georgia Agriculture Commissioner and Vidalia Onion Committee. Vidalia onion fans across the country can mark their calendars for April 17, when the sweet onions are set to ship to grocery stores nationwide.
“In coordination with the Vidalia Onion Committee, I am incredibly excited to announce April 17,2024, as the official pack date of the 2024 Vidalia onion season,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “Georgia Grown, Vidalia Onions are recognized around the globe for their iconic, sweet flavor that is treasured by culinary leaders and home chefs alike. This is an exciting time for Georgia farmers and consumers alike as we look forward to enjoying the sweet onion again!”
Vidalia onions are available for a limited time each year between April through early September. The pack date is determined by soil and weather conditions during the growing season, contributing to high-quality Vidalia onions. The Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel voted to recommend April 17th as the 2024 pack date to Commissioner Harper.
Known for their sweet, crisp flavor and versatility, Vidalia onions are a seasonal treat for various dishes – from savory to sweet! Because of the unique weather, water, and soil combination in 20 South Georgia counties, Vidalia onions cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. While all Vidalias are sweet onions, not all sweet onions are Vidalias!
“For the 2024 season, we have 11,000 acres of Vidalia onions planted in the production area,” said VOC Chairman Cliff Riner. “Over the past few years, sweet onion sales have continued to increase, with Vidalia onions being a big part of the market. We’re looking forward to another great season this year.”
For over 80 years, Vidalia onions have been hand-planted, harvested, and cured by growers. The Vidalia Onion Act of 1986 established their growing region in South Georgia and trademarked the “Vidalia onion” name. Vidalia onions are grown from a distinctive Granex seed, then packed and sold on or after the official pack date annually.
About the Vidalia® Onion Committee
Because Vidalia® onions are sweetly unique, farmers united to seek legal protection for their crop and its name. Federal Marketing Order No. 955 was established in 1989, to stipulate where the crop can be grown and help with research and promotion of Vidalia onions. The Vidalia Onion Committee administers FMO No. 955 and authorizes production research, marketing research and development and marketing promotion programs. This federal program along with Georgia state laws that protect the Vidalia trademark have provided a legal framework for the industry. So, you can try to grow a sweet onion elsewhere, but you cannot call it a “Vidalia,” unless it is from Georgia! For more information, visit VidaliaOnion.org.
Peruvian lime exports have really taken off so far this year, with a total of 5,432 tons sent to the international market, according to Agraria.
Agraria reports the citrus fruit has shown a positive start to 2024, with an increase of 63 percent in the first three weeks, compared to the same period last year. The increase results from greater demand from international markets.
Exporters not most of the lime exports have been shipped from the Port of Paita (84 percent) and, to a lesser extent, from the Port of Callao (16 percent).
During 2023, lime exports covered a total of 39 destinations, marking an increase of four new markets compared to 2022. So far in 2024, 17 countries have been reached, the most notable being the U.S. (45 percent), Spain (15 percent), China (14 percent), Dominican Republic (9 percent) and Germany (6 percent).
Among the exporters, Multifoods S.A.C. stood out, with a 16 percent share; followed by Agromar Industrial S.A., with 13 percent; Limones Piuranos S.A.C., with 11 percent; Ecosac Agrícola S.A.C., with 9 percent; and Procesadora Laran S.A.C., with 8 percent.
From Florida to Georgia and the Carolinas growers and shippers of berries are optimistic for an excellent shipping season.
Naturipe Farms of Salinas, CA grows blueberries in Georgia, North Carolina and Florida and blackberries in Georgia and North Carolina.
The company has blueberries from February through June in Florida, April through July in Georgia and May through July in North Carolina. Naturipe also grows blackberries from May through July in Georgia and June through August in North Carolina.
Excellent quality is expected.
Gem-Pack Berries of Irvine, CA grows strawberries in the Plant City and Dover areas of Florida and in Fort Meade from mid-November to mid-April.
Despite a few weather issues, the company is seeing a very good crop.
Crystal Valley Foods of Miami sources blackberries and blueberries from Florida and Georgia from March through June. The company is just starting its Florida berry season and Georgia will start at the end of March or the beginning of April.
The company ships most of its berries to foodservice customers and some retail outlets.
Always Fresh Farms of Plant City, FL saw its strawberries peaking in February and had an early start on Florida blueberries a couple of weeks ago.
The company was seeing a nice crop set up in Georgia on blueberries and blackberries, but that was still a number of weeks away.
Colombian lime exporters see a window of opportunity during January to April when supplies from Mexico to the United States decline.
Exp. Group LLC reports Mexico typically dominates the U.S. lime market. When Mexican volume kicks in other countries producing limes tend to disappear since Mexico’s production volumes are so high no one can compete.
Mexico represents 95% of all limes arriving in the U.S., while most of the balance of 5% is mainly covered by Colombia and to a smaller extent, Peru.
In 2023, Mexico supplied 94.5% of U.S. lime imports.
The demographic shift in the U.S. has helped increase the consumption of Latin American products in the country. Latinos are one of the fastest-growing demographics in the United States. The U.S. Latino population grew 26% between 2010 and 2022, nearing 64 million people.
Colombia’s total volume to the U.S. this season will reach around 2 million boxes of limes. Mexico could hit 35 million boxes by the end of its season.
In 2023, Mexico exported just under 1.1 million pounds of limes to the U.S., while Colombian exports reached 86,815 pounds.