Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
The harsh winter has not only been tough on us, it will also have an impact on Michigan fruit shipments.
It’s estimated the brutle Michigan winter will slash Michigan peach shipments and wine grapes by 50 percent.
A fruit tree, grape vine, or small fruit bush is hardy down to a certain temperature. Apple and cherry trees can take the coldest weather, while peaches are some of the most vulnerable to the cold.
However, with peaches and grapes, the losses may not be as bad as they appear. A grower usually will prune 50 percent of the peach blossoms to produce bigger fruit. Nature may have just saved peach growers some extra work. In wine grapes, the grower can adjust pruning methods later in the season, and still produce a nice amount of wine grapes.
Minus any more damaging weather conditions, the peach and wine grape shipments have the potential to be average to a little lower than average.
Michigan blueberries may also have some damage, but the losses will vary from variety to variety. Some blueberry varieties are more cold hardy than other varieties.
There is good news for Michigan’s apple crop and cherry shipments. These tree fruits are among the most cold tolerant. Right now very little damage is expected from the winter cold on apples and cherries.
Warm winter weather throughout California and south of the border is expected to bring shipments of Coachella Valley grapes, as well as Mexican grapes through Noglaes, earlie than usual this spring.
Mexico and Coachella typically start within days of each other, although Mexican grape shipments tend to be a few days earlier. Shipments of green grapes from Mexico should start in light volume in late April, with Coachella grape shipments getting underway by early May.
Loadings of red grapes will typically start within a week or so after the green fruit is underway. Good volume of both Mexican and Coachella Valley grapes are expected for Memorial Day. Peak shipments from both areas should occur from the last week of May through the middle of June.
While a forecast has yet to be made for the upcoming grape shipping season, during the 2013 season California shipped 117.4 million boxes of fresh grapes.
Over the past 10 years the volume has significantly increased. In 2003 California grape shipments were under 80 million boxes. In 2012 the 100 million box mark was crossed for the first time in history, and in 2013 another record was set with the crop totaling 117.4 million boxes.
Top shipments to export markets last year were Canada at 11.9 million boxes, followed by Hong Kong/China at 7.9, and Mexico at 6.6. The 2013 season started with shipments in early May and continued into February 2014.
Florida vegetable shipments are gearing up, but will it be record loading opportunties? It certainly does not appear likely.
Light volume and later shipments have marked many produce shipments from Florida, but as we progress into spring it is gradually improving.
Following a disappointing winter, grower-shippers are seeing improved supplies as Florida’s vegetable growers transition to the new spring crop. Florida produce shippers are eyeing improved supplies of bell peppers as the Sunshine State transitions to the new spring crop. Unfavorable winter weather has delayed bigger spring volume by a week the first half of March.
However, you can expect a lot more April and May vegetable loadings. This will also be spurred by the fact Mexican vegetable shipments will be finishing earlier than normal due to unusually warm weather. This will increase demand for Florida green beans, cucumbers, bell peppers and cucumbers, which are just starting in very light volume. You can also look for shipments of tomatoes, celery, sweet corn, lettuce, radish, cabbage and watermelon. Good volume will arrive in early to mid-April. However, some shippers predicting their volume will be down as much as 30 to 40 percent on some items.
While Florida spring vegetable loading opportunties will be good, I’m not expecting it to be great this season. Few, if any, bumper crops are seen.
Florida blueberry shipments have recently started and are moving into volume. Peak loading oppportunties will be around the third or fourth week of April.
Florida strawberry shipments from the Plant City area are winding down and should be finished by early April.
Florida produce – grossing about $2800 to Chicago.
While California vegetables and citrus have been struggling this season to get going, California strawberry shipments got off to an early and fast start it looks to continue strong throughout the season. Unlike much of the nation, credit unusually warm weather during the winter on the West Cost, which hastened plant maturity.
We’ll also take a glimpse at Mexican imports through Nogales, AZ.
For the week ending March 1, the California Strawberry Commission reported 11.16 million 9-pound tray equivalents had been shipped fresh so far this year compared to 6.89 million at the same time last year and 9 million in 2012. California produces almost 90 percent of U.S. strawberries. The state’s 400 strawberry farms grow fruit on fewer than 40,000 acres.
California avocado shipments
This year, California avocado shipments should be at its peak from mid- to late April and continue through Labor Day. Volume should be about 300 million pounds. The 300 million pounds is more on par with the 10-year average. Loadings originate from various shippers in Southern California.
Southern California produce shipments – grossing about $6600 to New York City.
Nogales Produce Shipments
While Mexican vegetable shipments through Nogales, AZ are on a seasonal down swing, an exception are watermelons being imported from West Mexico. The spring season has started three weeks earlier than last year. The early time frame is attributed to earlier transplanting, improved growing practices and ideal weather conditions. Watermelon shipments from West Mexico should continue in good volume through June.
Arrivals of Mexican grapes will start crossing the border within the next month.
Mexican produce through Nogales – grossing about $3800 to Chicago.
I’m in Georgia this week checking out the crops and visiting with shippers to give you a better idea of loading opportunities as we progress into spring. I’m also visiting with some of you at truck stops along the Interstate 75 corridor.
Vidalia sweet onion shipments were not to legally start before April 21st (at least until a Georgia court ruled otherwise and struck it down), which was the date set by the state’s ag commissioner. Colder weather has put the onions behind schedule. Don’t expect good volume before May. While some observers are predicting shipments could be off as much as 25 percent this season, others are taking a wait and see attitude to measure yields.
Overall, you probably won’t be getting loaded in the Southeast without having multiple pick ups. That could mean starting with pick ups in Florida and finishing off the load with additional pick ups in Georgia. The volume is just not there.
Meanwhile, there is light to moderate shipments of various greens from central and southern Georgia. Items ranging from vegetables such as cucumbers and squash are still a month or more away from being harvested.
Georgia has become a major shipper of blueberries with volume increasing each year. Intial loadings of “blues” will start in April, with good volume arriving in early May.
Another big item for Georgia are watermelons. While current loadings are occurring in Florida, where the harvest gradually moves northward, and usually ends by early June. This is about the time George watermelon shipments get underway.
Finally, the Georgia peach bloom in the Fort Valley area is beautiful. Shipping should get underway the last half of May. If weather conditions hold over the next month there could be up to 2.2 million boxes of Georgia peaches shipped this season. However, there is a freeze forecast for Tuesday night, March 25th. It will take a bit to assess any damage.
— Bill Martin
This can be one of the more frustrating times of the year for produce haulers. Even though spring officially arrives tomorrow, good volume for spring produce shipments are still weeks away. Here’s a look at loading opportunties around the country.
Imported Chilean green grape arrivals by boat at U.S. ports will decline in the next week or two as South American green grape volume is estimated to be 25 percent lower than last year by season’s end. On the positive side, the Chilean red crimson grapes are now entering peak arrivals at U.S. ports for the rest of March and early April. Overall, as of early March, Chilean grape exports were 22 percent lower than last year at the same time.
Arrivals of Chilean asian pears to U.S. ports are expected to be off 60 percent this season. The lower volume will continue to arrive through May.
Florida Produce Shipments
In Florida, strawberry shipments from the Plant City area are averaging about 500 truckloads per week. Out of Central and Southern Florida, the state is averaging about 750 truckloads weekly of mature green and roma tomatoes. South Florida also is shipping moderate amounts of items ranging from celery to potatoes.
South Florida produce – grossing about $3000 to New York
Nogales Produce Shipments
Mexican produce shipments through Nogales, AZ continues for items ranging from tomatoes to cucumbers, peppers and watermelons. Overall Mexican volume through Nogales should start declining as we enter April.
Mexican produce crossing through Nogales – grossing about $3600 to Chicago.
In an update from last week’s report, the desert shipping areas for winter vegetables in California and Arizona are pretty much history. Heat in the desert is taking its toll on any leaf lettuce left, and it’s best to avoid hauling that product. The transition to the San Joaquin Valley, Salinas Valley and the Santa Maria district continues and light volume loadings are underway.
In the weeks ahead, produce haulers should see a dramatic improvement for produce loads. Not only is California weather bringing the crops along nicely, but weather around the country is on the mend. That means more consumers getting out more often, buying fresh fruits and veggies, which increases demand for product. It all translates into more produce shipments, and higher freight rates.
Light shipments of broccoli and cauliflower are coming out of Salinas and some oberservers are predicting record volume this spring.
The Central San Joaquin Valley produce shipments are limited with broccoli and cauliflower, while light volume of head lettuce gets underway around March 21st in the Westside district. These loadings out of the Huron area should continue through mid April.
Salinas Valley vegetables – grossing about $6600 to New York City.
The forecast for Florida citrus shipments continues its trends showing fewer loading opportunities as the season continues. The March USDA report shows losses in most oranges, grapefruit and tangerine production. However, late season valencia shipments are pegged to remain the same as the February report.
Additionally, there will be more loading opportunities for later season apples than on averge for the past five years, with most of those opportunties being in Washington state.
For March, the USDA estimates the state’s production of all oranges to decline 1%, non-valencia oranges to decrease by 2%, all grapefruit down by 6% and all tangerines to fall by 7%. With grapefruit, both colored and white fruit are each lowered by 500,000 equivalent cartons, lowering production to 16 million cartons, smaller than the 18.8 million cartons the state shipped in 2013.
Since the valencia shipping report is showing no losses from the previous month, it may be a sign of stability as Florida moves into its late season shipping of oranges. Florida is expected to ship 114 million cartons of oranges for the season, down from last year’s 133.6 million cartons. Total Florida citrus shipments are expected to be 134 million cartons, down from 156 million cartons last season. Most of the state’s oranges are sent to the processors.
Florida citrus, vegetables – grossing about $3000 to New York City.
National Apple Shipments
About 61.5 million bushels of fresh market apples remained to be shipped by U.S. producers as of March 1, 3% less than last year at the same time. The total is, however, 6% above the 5-year average of 58.2 million bushels, according to the U.S. Apple Association.
Washington state accounted for 53.1 million bushels of the U.S. total still in storage. Michigan had 3.9 million bushels, New York 3.3 million bushels and Pennsylvania 762,000 bushels.
Washington apples from the Yakima Valley – grossing about $6700 to New York City.
As we enter spring (officially March 20th) two things are certain regarding California vegetable shipmens. Number one, a seasonal shift is coming relatively soon from the desert areas of California and Arizona to the Central San Joaquin Valley and the Salinas Valley. Number two, there is going to be a gap in in some California produce shipments as the transition take place.
However, the question remains, just when is this shipping gap going to occur given the roller coast weather?
Cold crops are grown in Central California and the Salinas Valley and shipped the year round, and celery is a 12-month mainstay from Oxnard to Oceano. However, items such as lettuce, broccoli and caulifower and some others shift growing areas during the year. Cold weather in Salinas and the central valley knocked out some plants in their early stages and delayed plantings for about a week. About 90 to 100 days later, one would expect to see a gap, It will happen, but when? The guess in within the next couple of weeks.
California Avocado Shipments
Avocado shipments in 2013 crop came in around 500 million pounds, which is larger than normal volume. This year, volume should be around 300 million pounds, which is closer to average.
In 2014, shipments should start ramping up anytime and showing sizable volume increase by late-April, before making a significant bump in volume entering the summer months.
Shipments of Mexican sweet onions have been crossing the border into South Texas since mid February and are about three weeks or so later than normal, due to cold weather. The Texas 1015 sweet onion crop in the Lower Rio Grand Valley is pretty much mirroring the Mexican onions and are behind schedule as well.
The Texas 1015 onion shipments should get underway within the next week and loadings should continue through May. The Winter Garden District just south of San Antonio should start shipping sweet onions the first week of May and continue for about eight weeks.
A number of Mexican produce loads are crossing the border in South Texas ranging from carrots to strawberries, raspberries and roma tomatoes, among other items.
Some good news on the berry front is that TransFresh Corp. of Salinas, CA is working with a warehousing facility to provide its Techtrol CO2 process for Mexican berries crossing the border. Bagged pallets of berries with the gassing process has been found to extend the shelf life and quality of berries. It also reduces the chances of claims relating to the quality of berries.
Texas citrus shipments led by grapefruit and oranges are moving in steady volume from the Lower Rio Grande Valley. About 100 loads of Texas oranges are being shipped weekly.
South Texas and Mexican produce – grossing about $5000 to New York City.