Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Chino Hills, CA — Despite a decline in Peruvian grape exports to North America early in the season, is charting a different course thanks to its long-term supply base and the advantages of aligning with Dole Diversified North America (DDNA) in October 2025.
The strategic integration of DDNA brings an additional 1.25 million boxes of grapes to Oppy’s program from Peru and Chile, up 44% over prior year. Oppy ranks among the top ten importers of Peruvian grapes into the U.S. and Canada.
“This is a milestone season for Oppy,” said Executive Director of Grapes and Stonefruit Bill Poulos. “By expanding our program through Dole, we’re not only increasing volume, but adding depth and resilience to our supply. We have exceptional grapes coming from Peru, and our team’s visit to Ica in November confirmed the fruit is outstanding. We are very happy with the quality, and we’re set up for a strong season.”
This year also marks an exciting influx of high-demand varieties, including Sun World favorite AutumnCrisp arriving from Peru, followed by availability from Chile through the end of April.
Director of Domestic Grapes and Sales Manager Marc Serpa shared, “As the import grape season gets into full stride, the market is primed for promotable green and red grapes. Shoppers are eager for grapes with green stems, great sizing and outstanding flavor profiles coming from Sun World and BloomFresh.”
Oppy expects excellent availability across a wide spectrum of colors and varieties, including:
- Red varieties: Allison, Jack’s Salute, and Scarlotta Seedless
- Green varieties: AutumnCrisp, Timpson, Sweet Globe, and Great Green
“Our strategic grower-partners are rated very highly for the quality of their AutumnCrisp, and have the acreage and scale to deliver more than last season. Red and green fresh crop grapes will be available in volume from mid-January till the end of February,” said Vice President of South American Operations David Nelley. “With trusted brands in our portfolio including Dole, Ocean Spray and Sun Grape, Oppy’s grape program offers consistency and quality shoppers will be looking for at shelf.”
With new varieties and consistent brands consumers know and trust, Oppy is well-positioned to help retailers drive sales this season and into the future.
About Oppy
Growing, marketing and distributing fresh produce from around the globe for over 165 years, Vancouver, BC-based Oppy discovers and delivers the best of the world’s harvest. With over 50 million boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables grown on every continent moving through its supply chain annually, Oppy offers popular favorites from avocados and berries to apples and oranges year-round, alongside innovative seasonal specialties. Over the years, Oppy has introduced North Americans to a number of items across its diverse produce range, including Granny Smith, JAZZ and Envy apples, as well as green and gold kiwifruit.
About Dole
Dole Diversified Fresh Produce is part of Dole plc, a global leader in fresh produce. Dole plc grows, markets, and distributes an extensive variety of fresh fruits and vegetables sourced locally and from around the world. Dedicated and passionate in exceeding our customers’ requirements in over 85 countries, our goal is to make the world a healthier and more sustainable place.
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Premier grower, producer, sales, marketing and distribution company has announces the launch of its new Florida strawberry program, marking the company’s inaugural offering under the Dole label since its integration with Dole Diversified North America (DDNA) in October.
Production is underway, with promotable volumes expected from late January through early February.
Grown on more than 300 acres in Frostproof, Zolfo Springs, Dover and Plant City, Florida, the program features a strong lineup of premium conventional varieties in 1-lb and 2-lb packs. Favorable weather conditions to date have supported excellent fruit development and quality.
“This Florida production completes Oppy’s year-round supply of strawberries, which also includes central and Baja, Mexico and production up and down the California coast,” said Tony Colonna, senior berry category manager. “It allows us to diversify our supply with multiple regions simultaneously and keep customers’ shelves filled regardless of any weather interruptions in one of the major growing regions.”
With availability through March, Florida strawberry production provides an important strategic advantage through winter, providing reliable supply during a critical demand period and ensuring retailers can maintain strong category performance. Oppy’s business development representatives are actively setting up ads and providing promotional tools to drive sales at retail.
“The new volume expands the strength of our year-round berry portfolio under the widely recognized Dole brand,” Colonna said, citing a recent IPSOS survey that revealed a 54% unaided recognition of the popular fresh fruit label. “It’s exciting to bring this first large-scale Dole branded strawberry offering to the marketplace through Oppy.”
In addition to its strawberry program, Oppy delivers depth and breadth across the entire berry category, with year-round volumes of high-quality fruit in all key items.
About Oppy
Growing, marketing and distributing fresh produce from around the globe for over 165 years, Vancouver, BC-based Oppy discovers and delivers the best of the world’s harvest. With over 50 million boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables grown on every continent moving through its supply chain annually, Oppy offers popular favorites from avocados and berries to apples and oranges year-round, alongside innovative seasonal specialties. Over the years, Oppy has introduced North Americans to a number of items across its diverse produce range, including Granny Smith, JAZZ and Envy apples, as well as green and gold kiwifruit. Go to oppy.com to learn more.
About Dole
Dole Diversified Fresh Produce is part of Dole plc, a global leader in fresh produce. Dole plc grows, markets, and distributes an extensive variety of fresh fruits and vegetables sourced locally and from around the world. Dedicated and passionate in exceeding our customers’ requirements in over 85 countries, our goal is to make the world a healthier and more sustainable place. For more information, please visit www.dole.com or www.doleplc.com.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIES: 1-800-404-5863.
By lgssale.com
LGS Specialty Sales of New Rochelle, NY, a leading importer of citrus, avocados, grapes, and persimmons, enters its Spanish persimmons season with strong supply driven by improved growing conditions and increased volumes compared to the 2024 season.
This year’s persimmons crop has benefited greatly from remarkably better weather during the growing season, including the absence of freezes which is historically common this time of year. Without the disruption of freezing weather, LGS has been able to position its crop for higher overall yields and strong, consistent supply.
“We are pleased not only with the favorable weather condition that we’ve experienced but also a year of increased supply compared to 2024,” said Lucio Rainelli, Director of Sales at LGS Specialty Sales.
The company anticipates its Spanish persimmons program to run through at least late January, providing an extended sales window for retailers. With volumes expected to exceed the previous season, LGS is positioned to not only support existing customers but open doors for new retail opportunities where persimmons can serve as a seasonal specialty item for shoppers.
LGS’ persimmons are of the Kaki variety with a flavor profile resembling Fuyu offering rich, sweet and creamy vanilla notes.
“Their uniquely sweet characteristics along with exclusive seasonality not only meets shoppers demand for specialty items but also offers customers a way to differentiate and expand their seasonal programs,” added Rainelli.
About LGS Specialty Sales, Ltd.
Born out of love of fresh produce and a desire to bring the world’s best-tasting fruit to U.S. shoppers, LGS Specialty Sales, Ltd. has been importing fruit from select growers around the world for more than 30 years. Today, LGS is a leading importer of clementines, oranges, avocados, grapes, lemons, Minneola’s, Cara Cara oranges and persimmons, with an industry-wide reputation for innovation and excellence in produce quality, service, packaging and food safety.
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Strawberry shipments from the Sunshine state have seasonally started and good quality fruit is being reported by The Florida Strawberry Growers Association of Plant City, FL.
Wish Farms, Plant City, FL started its season in late November and typically ships strawberries until April.
The company is growing four varieties, Brilliance, Medallion, Ember and Encore. The Ember and Encore are contributing to higher yields and productivity.
Wish Farms focuses on the eastern United States, although it ships all over the U.S. and Canada. However, its Florida strawberries tend to stay east, as there is a heavier supply of Mexican berries in other regions during this time.
“We ship all over the U.S. and Canada, but Florida strawberries tend to stay east, as there is a heavier supply of Mexican berries in other regions during this time,
Naturipe Farms, Salinas, CA, sees good prospects for its central Florida strawberry operations, which started harvesting in November.
Its peak supplies will occur in early 2026. Compared to last year, Naturipe did not have any major weather challenges and expects to have a great season. Naturipe Farms distributes its Florida strawberries primarily on the East Coast.
Grimes Produce Co., Plant City, FL, says Florida strawberries are in demand and Grimes does significant business within the state, but its strawberries find their fruit is shipped across the United States and Canada. A good portion of its product goes to Canada.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL, reports Florida has over 15,000 acres of fresh strawberries in production, an increase of about 2,000 acres compared to last year.
Astin Strawberry Exchange has a new 100,000-square-foot facility and farms about 800 acres. This is the third cooler, which can hold 150,000 flats.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-6853.
Overseas market supply of onions has been strong and steady, which helps the U.S. provide a year around supply of the product.
According to Volza’s Onion Import data of United States, from November 2023 to October 2024, there were 3,789 onion importers in the U.S., importing from 4,071 suppliers globally.
Peruvian onion production has climbed to 591,000 tons by 2025, enabling a reliable, year-round U.S. supply.
A&J Produce Corp., Bronx, NY reports Peru and Mexico are the primary sources of onion imports, with less supplies from Chile.
Fewer countries are attempting exports to the U.S. and Canada because of strong domestic production and strict import standards. Also, growing demand for sweet onions has spurred more domestic production of these varieties.
G&R Farms Produce, Glennville, GA notes Peruvian sweet onions are available from Labor Day right through to Vidalia season. This allows a seamless year-round supply of sweet onions, bridging the gap until the Vidalia crop comes back into season in Georgia. The company is projecting an increase of about 3% to 5% more onions from Peru over last year.
JJB Family Farms, Escondido, CA, points out Mexican white onions are prevalent from February to May, while organic whites from Mexico are big from March through June. Peruvian yellow sweets typically hit the states at the end of October or early November.
Potandon Produce, Idaho Falls, ID, works primarily with U.S. growers to offer yellow, red, white and sweet onion varieties, while also supplementing with select imports from Peru and Mexico.
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Broccoli and lettuce items from the Arizona/California desert growing regions have shown much improvement after a tumultuous start to the winter growing season, but weather-related quality challenges persist, according to Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Size, weights, and overall plant maturity have improved following a warm spell in mid-December, which is helping harvesting crews to manage some of the outer leaf defects in lettuce items.
Below are some of the defects being observed in key commodity items:
Broccoli
- Mildew pressure in some lots (variety and region-specific)
- Occasional pin rot
- Uneven sizing
Iceberg/Leaf Lettuce
- Bottom rot
- Mildew pressure
- Premature pinking
- Rib blight
- Shortened shelf-life
- Weak tip
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Tropical fruit grower and importer Tierra Suelta of Miami, FL reports plentiful volumes of premium Dragon Fruit are now available for shipping.
“We’ve entered peak Dragon Fruit season with 40,000 boxes arriving weekly,” said Steve Stutz, VP of
Sales. “For the next two months, our state-of-the-art packing facility in Ecuador will operate at capacity
to support promotable volumes of our highest quality Dragon Fruit. Tierra Suelta has the production,
logistics and infrastructure to meet the needs of major retailers throughout the holiday season and
beyond.”
Earlier this year, Tierra Suelta invested significantly in developing and building a state-of-the-art packing
facility dedicated to Dragon Fruit. The new facility is Global GAP and Primus certified. Through a
combination of automated processing and hand packing, Dragon Fruit shipments maintain cold chain
integrity and arrive to customers in North America in pristine condition.
Once considered an exotic novelty, Dragon Fruit continues to be a consumer favorite. According to
industry research, the US Dragon Fruit market is projected to reach $160 million by 2034. Tierra Suelta
is fully committed to helping retailers succeed with this popular fruit by providing an abundant supply of
fresh, sweet Dragon Fruit, along with in-store and online support to generate additional consumer
demand.
“In the winter months, the fruit’s vibrant color and festive appearance naturally enhances fruit platters
and decorative tablescapes,” said Adrian Abreu, CEO. “We have four varieties of Dragon Fruit—white,
red, yellow, and golden—all of which boast antioxidant-rich nutritional profiles. The fruit’s immunity boosting qualities also make it an ideal snack choice during cold-and-flu season.”
Dragon Fruit’s peak season will continue into February, with more limited quantities available for the
remainder of the year. In addition to Dragon Fruit, Tierra Suelta offers a wide variety of tropicals yearround. Other key items favored by consumers include Star Fruit, Thai Guava, Mamey, Tropical
Avocados, Malangas and more. Tierra Suelta’s customized packaging, merchandising support, shopper
information, and private label programs help retailers succeed in these verticals as well.
Tierra Suelta, which translates to “loose soil,” is a woman- and minority-owned, vertically-integrated
farming business that grows and ships tropical fruits, roots and specialty produce from its headquarters
in Miami.
About Tierra Suelta
Tierra Suelta, Inc. is a third-generation, Primus-certified, woman- and minority-owned grower, packer, shipper of tropical fruits. With a state-of-the-art packing and cooling facility located on their South Florida farm, and full-time agronomist on staff, Tierra Suelta provides premium fruit with exceptional flavor and quality. Tierra Suelta ships throughout North America and has a consistent, reliable year-round dragon fruit program.
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Harvesting was been canceled for Friday, December 26 due to persistent rain in California’s Santa Maria and Oxnard growing regions. Expect tight supplies and strong markets through the week of January 5-9, according to Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA
Santa Maria/ Oxnard
- These regions received over 2.5 inches of rain in 48 hours; most growers cancelled harvests for at least two days
- During this period, packer label will be substituted as needed
- Expect a demand-exceeds-supply market for the next week
- Quality is average; early signs of decay and bruising have been reported
- Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
- Expect strong demand and elevated markets through next week
Mexico/South Texas
- Volume will increase through December and reach its peak in mid-January
- Quality concerns include over-ripening and light bruising
- Size is small-medium (19 to 25 berries per one-pound clamshell)
- Expect elevated pricing and tight stocks as Mexico helps fill orders from California
Florida
- MFC Strawberries are available
- Volume is rising
- Quality is improving; concerns include white shoulders and green tips
- Size is small-medium (17 to 25 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
- Expect pricing to inch up as Florida supplements California shortages
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The Chilean Table Grape Committee, part of the country brand Frutas de Chile, updated its export projection for the 2025-26 season, forecasting a total volume of over 63,6 million 18-pound boxes. This represents a slight 6.4 percent decrease compared to the previous year, but is very much in line with the first projection, standing only 0.5 percent above that previous forecast.
The increasing volume of new varieties has driven growth this year.
This season’s challenge for Chilean exporters lies in managing exit logistics. There’s more fruit between mid February and mid March compared to last year, and less volume in from mid April into May.
New varieties are expected to reach 72 percent of the total shipments, which is higher than the 67 percent of last season and the 71 percent expected in the first estimate.
This updated forecast takes into account data from more growers, accounting for 86 percent of last season’s total export volume.
Frutas de Chile projects that by the end of the country’s export window, new varieties will total over 45 million boxes.
Taking the lead among the newcomers is Sweet Globe, with just over 7 million boxes, representing more than a 30 percent increase over last season and a 17 percent uptick versus the committee’s first estimate.
Runner-up Autumncrisp is totaling over six million boxes, showing 33 percent growth from last year and a 19 percent increase compared to the first forecast.
Traditional varieties will reach over 8 million boxes, with many deflating significantly in volume. This is the case of Thompson Seedless, which is projected to experience a decline in its volumes by over 20 percent compared to 2024, totaling slightly 1.5 million boxes. This represents a dramatic 37 percent decrease compared to the committee’s first projection.
Red Globe, another traditional variety in the Chilean market, is holding steady. Frutas de Chile projects over 9 million boxes for the grape, but the number still falls below the brand’s first estimate, showing a nearly 5 percent drop.
Challenges and market reshuffling
Compared to last season, Chilean table grape volumes are shifting, and while the Latin American market is expected to expand by 20 percent, Asia and North America will decline by 21 percent and 9 percent, respectively.
Florida Classic Growers of Dundee, FL has announced an outstanding start to the 2025–26 Florida citrus season, marked by exceptional fruit quality, and stronger yields.
“We are extremely pleased with the fruit quality this season,” said Derek Rodgers, Director of Sales and Marketing for Florida Classic Growers. “We’re seeing improved size, higher brix levels, and some of the best external appearance we’ve had in recent years. Our enhanced production practices are paying off in a big way.”
With the state avoiding major hurricane impacts so far this year, Florida Classic Growers is reporting a year-over-year increase in volume—an encouraging trend for both the company and the broader citrus industry.
“This is a very exciting time for Florida citrus and for Florida Classic Growers,” Rodgers added. “The combination of strong quality and increased availability is creating real momentum, and we’re eager to share that with our retail, wholesale, and foodservice partners.”
Florida Classic Growers is now entering peak season for grapefruit, navel oranges, and juice oranges.
About Florida Classic Growers
Florida Classic Growers, a division of Dundee Citrus Growers Association, is a leading marketer of premium Florida citrus, offering a full range of fresh grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, and specialty citrus to retail, wholesale and foodservice customers across the U.S. and abroad.
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