Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
A recent desert freeze in California and Arizona is the most serious thus far this winter. Damage to lettuce needs to be closely watched by haulers to help reduce chances of claims at destination.
In a press release, Markhon Cooperative of Salinas, CA recently assessed the current situation.
• Widespread, moderate-to-heavy lettuce ice is expected throughout this entire week in all Arizona and California desert growing areas
• Harvesting delays of three to four hours are being reported; loading delays can also be expected
• This significant freeze event will have lasting effects on the quality of many desert row crop items
• Lettuces and tender leaf items are the most susceptible to freeze-related quality and shelf-life challenges
• Apart from quality, plant growth will also be affected as ground temperatures decrease this week
• Markon inspectors are monitoring conditions and will update further as needed
Over 150,000 tons of avocados will be shipped from 
Michoacán to the United States for the 59th edition of the Super Bowl on Feb. 9, according to the head of Mexico’s Secretariat of Economic Development (Sedeco), Claudio Méndez Fernández.
El Sol de Zamora informs that production corresponds to that harvested in the municipalities of Acuitzio, Tacámbaro, Peribán, Tancítaro, and Uruapan.
The Super Bowl is one of the main events for the avocado industry in the U.S., along with Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
“Demand is growing year by year. The Super Bowl is when avocados are sold the most in the United States. The second date is May 5th, because it has become part of the gastronomy and diet of the citizens,” Méndez said.
Last year, around 54 million avocados were consumed on Super Bowl Sunday alone, making them one of the favorite foods of American football fans.
“Consumer consumption for avocados that are used to make guacamole significantly increases during Super Bowl Sunday,” according to the USDA. “Regarding increased sales, avocados are the real Super Bowl champion.”
FreightWaves reports more than 90% of avocado imports from Mexico enter the U.S. through Texas ports of entry in Laredo and Pharr.
The industry will experience a 25-30% avocado shortage through January. USDA inspections were curtailed over the last two holiday weeks; inclement weather has also caused trucking delays. Expect extremely limited supplies and increased prices for the next two weeks, according to a press release by Markhon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Mexico
- All sizes are extremely tight
- Size and grade substitutions may be requested to fill orders
- Quality is good; checkerboarding (uneven ripening within a case) has been reported
- Expect elevated markets and tight supplies through the next two weeks
Colombia
- Imports will ship into the East Coast through May; these supplies only account for 5% of U.S. demand
- The crop is currently dominated by small sizes (60- to 84-count fruit)
- Quality is comparable to that in Mexico; texture is creamy and oil content is high
California
- Regular inspection schedules will resume in mid-January
- New crop production will start in late January
- Once this season begins, supplies will help fill the void from Mexico-grown product
Caution is urged loading melons from Central America, which is arriving at various U.S. port, as well a crossing the border at Nogales, AZ.
Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA in a press release reports Central American melon supplies are extremely limited following the effects of Tropical Storm Sara. Markets are elevated; demand exceeds supply and quality issues abound.
Cantaloupe
Central American
- Offshore shipments of Central American cantaloupes are arriving by vessel into domestic ports; volume is extremely limited
- Quality issues are arising from flooding brought by Tropical Storm Sara; yields are lower in Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica
- Projections for upcoming lots are minimal
- Markon recommends increased order lead time to maximize coverage over the next three to four weeks; size substitutions may be recommended
- Expect elevated markets and light supply through early January
Honeydew
Central American/Mexican
- Mexican volume is light crossing into Nogales, Arizona as growers finish their season in Northern Mexico; light volume will continue to ship from Southern Mexico through February
- Offshore/Central American honeydews are arriving by vessel into domestic ports; volume is extremely limited
- Quality issues are arising from flooding brought by Tropical Storm Sara, resulting in lower yields in Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica
- Projections for upcoming lots are minimal
- Markon recommends increased order lead time to maximize coverage over the next three to four weeks; size substitutions may be recommended
- Expect limited supplies and elevated markets through early January
Higher volume will hopefully translate into more loading opportunities for California strawberries.
Strawberry supply exceeds demand; falling prices are forecast through next week, according to Markhon
of Salinas, CA.
Santa Maria, California
- Growers will start harvesting the winter crop next week
- Size currently ranges from medium (20 to 24 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
- Quality is fair; color and appearance have improved
- Expect markets to remain low for another week
Oxnard, California
- MFC Strawberries are sporadic; packer label will be shipped as necessary
- Volume is decreasing
- Size currently ranges from medium to large (21 to 24 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
- Quality is good; color is deep red and flavor is sweet
- Prices will remain soft
Mexico (into South Texas)
- Volume has increased
- Size currently ranges from medium to large (18 to 24 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
- Quality is good; some white shoulders have been reported
- Expect increasing yields (crossing into San Juan, Texas)
- Markets will remain low for the next seven days
Florida
- Growers are shipping berries in a limited manner
- Cooler weather is forecast for next week
- Expect to see smaller fruit with some green tips due to low temperatures
- Quality will slowly improve week after week
- Prices will inch up
Proarándanos, an association of blueberry producers and exporters in Peru, has reported the 2024-2025 Peruvian blueberry season, although progressing at a slower pace compared to previous seasons, is showing higher volumes.
The Peruvian blueberry season goes from May 2024 to April 2025.
To date, 254,406 tons of Peruvian blueberries have been exported, with 89% being conventional and 11% organic. Compared to the same date last season, this represents a growth of 61%, the association stated.
Almost 30,000 tons of organic blueberries have been shipped worldwide, and it is projected that the season will end with nearly 40,000 tons. Unlike past seasons, when almost 100% of organic blueberries went to the United States, this year 89% is destined for the U.S., with 10% going to the European market.
The peak week of the 2024-2025 season occurred in mid October, during which 22,348 tons of fresh blueberries were exported. This contrasts with the peak of the 2023-2024 season, recorded the last week of October, and in mid September for the 2022-2023 season.
The entity reported that 97% of the total volume exported has been shipped by sea. The main ports of arrival by destination are the Port of Philadelphia, with a 58% share of the volume exported to the United States; the Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands), with 72% of the volume exported to all of Europe (excluding Russia); the Port of Shenzhen, with 72% of the volume exported to China; the Port of Dover, with 44% of the volume exported to the United Kingdom; and the Port of Kaohsiung, with 18% of the volume exported to other destinations.
In 2024, Peru had 49,903 acres certified and inspected by SENASA.
Proarándanos indicated that 67% of the total hectares consist of five varieties: Ventura from Fallcreek with 26%, Biloxi with 16%, Sekoya Pop from Sekoya with 14%, Rocio from Hortifrut with 8%, and finally, Mágica from Ozblu with 5%, most of which are located in the north of the country, in the department of La Libertad.
The next 23% of the hectares are distributed among 12 varieties, with Fallcreek’s Atlasblue and Emerald standing out with 8% between them.
Continuing with the analysis of varieties per hectare of the current blueberry season, the companies that have contributed the most with their genetics are Fallcreek with 32% representation, followed by open varieties with 19%, Sekoya with 16%, Hortifrut with 9% and Driscolls with 8%. The remaining 16% is divided between Ozblu, Mbo, Inkasberries, Planasa, Florida University, and Iq Berries.
Proarándanos indicated that during the 2024-2025 season, shipments of fresh Peruvian blueberries will reach a total volume of 323,928 tons. This amount represents a variation of +4.1 % in relation to the October estimate (311,202 tons).
The Florida citrus December forecast by the USDA places crop at levels which haven’t been this low in 100 years.
Orange production was lowered by 20 percent and grapefruit by 14 percent from the October forecast, which takes into account the damage from Hurricane Milton, which hit Florida in early October.
The 2024-2025 Florida all orange forecast from the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 12.0 million boxes, down 20 percent from the October forecast of 15.0 million. If realized, this will be 33 percent less than last season’s final production. The forecast consists of 5 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 7 million boxes of Valencia oranges.
The forecast for Florida grapefruit production is 1.20 million boxes, down 200,000 boxes from the October forecast. If realized, this will be 33 percent less than last season’s final production. Red grapefruit, at 1.05 million boxes, is lowered 150,000 boxes from the October forecast. White grapefruit is forecast down 50,000 boxes to 150,000 boxes.
Florida citrus production has been dropping for years due to various causes, including weather, disease, changing consumption, and residential and commercial property demand.
According to USDA, there were 248,000 acres of oranges in 2024, down from 665,000 in 2000, and grapefruit acreage amounted to 14,000 in 2024, down from 118,000 in 2000.
Florida’s citrus industry peaked in the 1997-98 season with 244 million boxes of oranges. This year’s orange crop would be 5 percent of the peak.
The first estimate of the 2024-2025 Chilean stone fruit export season released by the Chilean Stone Fruit Committee shows that shipments of Japanese and European plums, peaches, and nectarines will grow by 4% compared to the previous season, with shipments of around 38 million boxes (8.3 kg average), marking a record for the second consecutive time.
In statements reported by Frutas de Chile, Ignacio Caballero, executive director of the Chilean Stone Fruit Committee, said that “this estimate, which is still preliminary, shows that the sector is working to promote growth not only in volumes but also in the quality of the fruit, to stimulate greater consumption and better returns. All this leads us to project a new export record for our stone fruits.”
Caballero explained that this growth is in line with the strategy defined by the Committee, in terms of promoting the opportunity that exists for Chilean stone fruit in different world markets, in addition to Asia, to continue growing with a focus on improving the quality and consistency of the fruit being shipped.
He also pointed out that in terms of FOB values, they estimate that Chilean stone fruit shipments would exceed US$ 540 million, which reflects an increase of around 4% over the previous year.
“Of course, we must bear in mind that the final result in terms of value also depends on other factors such as the market, and freight, among others,” he said in a conversation with Frutas de Chile.
According to reports, in the 2023-2024 season, China took around 55% of Chilean nectarines and 63% of Chilean plum shipments, while North America (United States and Canada) received around 50% of peaches.
“This season, these markets will once again occupy an important place as a destination for our stone fruits, but the challenge will be to promote new destinations, such as Mexico and Brazil, which are large consumers of this fruit, for which the Stone Fruit Committee is working on implementing communication campaigns to highlight the qualities of Chilean varieties,” said Caballero.
Caballero also highlighted the 22% increase in nectarine shipments compared to the previous season, which will reach 14.1 million boxes (8 kilos each) this season.
“With this increase, nectarines would become, for the first time, the main species of the stone fruit group exported by our country. Within these exports, we estimate that around 9 million boxes would be of white-fleshed nectarines (63%) and 5.2 million boxes of yellow-fleshed nectarines (37%),” he said.
In peaches, exports would total 2.9 million boxes (8 kilos each), up 4% with respect to the previous season, which shows that this sector is returning to growth after the last two seasons of decline.
“A Blue Ocean Strategy” is a recent report by intelligence firm Fluctuante, which studied Peru’s status as the world’s top blueberry exporter. The company reports the current Peruvian season shows a recovery, not growth, relating to last year’s El Nino phenomenon. The weather reduced production an adversely affected trade.
From mid April through June Peru exported 155,000 tons of blueberries, valued at $1.26 billion and priced at $8.13 per kilogram. While this represents an increase from 112,000 tons in the previous period, it was noted it is still 19% below the 2022-2023 season’s 200,000 tons.
While there is an increase from 112,000 to 155,000 tons, in reality, it was a recovery. When one looks at the 2022-23 seaon for the same period, there was200,000 tons exported.
The industry has grown by 40% compared to the previous season, “but the trade is still 19% under the 2022-23 season.
Fluctuante attributed the recovery to improved yields, with 80% of growth coming from higher productivity on existing plantations and the remaining 20% from new acreage.
In 2016, the top exporting regions were La Libertad and Trujillo. However, new players are entering the board.
That production will grow in two directions in the coming years. 80% will be coming from the growth in yields in the plantations already established, with more tons per hectare produced; and the remaining 20% will be represented by new land producing fruit.
Ideal weather conditions aided growth in November and December. Lettuce and other desert row crops, including value-added items, are demonstrating great quality and high yields. Supplies are abundant throughout the desert growing region, according to Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA
Green leaf: Prices are low; supplies are abundant in the Arizona-California desert growing region. Quality has improved due to warmer weather.
Iceberg: Prices have eased in the Arizona-California desert. Quality has improved; warmer weather has increased growth and head weights.
Salads and blends: Higher temperatures in the Arizona-California desert region has aided growth and increased stocks. Quality is very good.
The extended weather forecast for the desert has highs mostly in the 70s through the end of the year.