Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Persistent rain has cancelled harvesting in the Santa Maria/Oxnard, California, growing regions for Sunday, February 16 through Tuesday, February 18. Demand exceeds supply in all California growing regions, according to a news release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
The Santa Maria and Oxnard regions received almost two inches of rain in the last week. Suppliers did not harvest again until Wednesday, February 19.
Quality will be a challenge, with concerns including excessive bruising and pin rot.
Shippers will rely on transfers of Mexican-grown fruit to supplement California shipments through next week. Last week also saw days that were too rainy to harvest in the Santa Maria and Oxnard growing regions.
Mango producer and marketer Sembriexport is aiming to continue making strides in the Ecuadorian mango industry. With 1,606 producing acres and an additional 370 in development, the company is committed to fostering growth in Ecuador’s mango industry.
Last year was an off season with production of about 8 million boxes of mangoes. This year Ecuador is exporting a total of 15 million boxes.
The primary mango variety exported from Ecuador is Tommy Atkins, accounting for approximately 60% of shipments.
Two years ago, Ecuador’s exported 14 million boxes, with the recent increase coming from both higher production and the entry of new companies into the export market.
Sembriexport has exported 1.8 million boxes of mangoes this seaon with nearly all of its volume going to the U.S. This is in line with the national trend, as 97% of Ecuador’s mango exports are destined for the U.S., with the rest going to Canada and other countries.
Ecuadorian mango production has climbed from 12 million to 15 million boxes over the past six to seven years, reflecting a steady rise in Ecuador’s export business.
Since Peru, Mexico, and Brazil, compete in the same markets as Ecuador Sembriexport sees a need to export to other markets as well.
CASTROVILLE, CA– Ocean Mist Farms, North America’s leading grower and shipper of fresh artichokes, reports strong artichoke supplies from its winter growing region in Coachella, California.
“The quality looks good, and we expect ample supply of our seasonal Frost-Kissed artichokes over the next couple weeks,” said Commodity Account Manager, Ben Wilson.
Continuing, “This is a great opportunity for retailers to take advantage of these volumes and promote artichokes, especially sought-after Frost-Kissed® artichokes.”
Frosted artichokes develop their unique markings naturally when temperatures drop into the 30s °F or below, causing a slight blistering or darkening of the outer skin. Similar to a sunburn, this browning is purely cosmetic and peels away once cooked, revealing the familiar vibrant green artichoke.
The browning of the exterior petals in no way affects the eat-ability or quality of the artichoke, and actually enhances the nutty flavor, which many consumers prefer, making these winter gems a very desirable item that’s only available for a limited time.
About Ocean Mist Farms
Established in 1924, Ocean Mist Farms is a fourth-generation family-owned business located in Castroville, California. This company – the largest grower/shipper of fresh artichokes in No. America – celebrated their milestone 100-year anniversary in 2024. Committed to consistently delivering the highest standards in the industry for their Gold Standard artichokes, the company also offers a full line of 30+ premium fresh vegetable commodities and value-added products including their new award-winning Roastables Ready-to-Roast kits and Season & Steam lines.
Sun Pacific Marketing Cooperative Inc. of Pasadena, CA was launched in the Central San Joaquin Valley in 1969. It is looking forward to a good citrus shipping season this year.
The firm’s product line includes navel oranges, lemons, Cuties brand mandarins, Tinkled Pink cara cara oranges and Vintage Sweet heirloom navels.
Sun Pacific also has some organic citrus items, including navels and Cuties.
Organic citrus volume is up year compared to the same time last year, and is led by organic grapefruit, easy-peel mandarins and navel oranges.
Quality is reported excellent this season for most of the company’s items, although sizing for oranges and lemons will be a bit smaller than last year.
IRVINE, CA – The 2025 California avocado harvest is now projected to be in the range of 375 million pounds, which is the largest crop estimate for the locally grown fruit since 2020.
Recent extremely high winds in California slightly dampened very early season projections, but the industry is still optimistic for a particularly good season. Investment by California avocado growers who have increased planting of new trees and improved the average per acre yield is contributing to this optimism.
Fruit sizing and the actual harvest total will be influenced by natural factors, and growers are hoping for beneficial rain and sunshine to come. Meanwhile some growers started picking now in time to support Super Bowl promotions with retailers. However, peak availability of California avocados is expected to occur spring through summer this year.
About the California Avocado Commission
Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission strives to enhance the premium positioning of California avocados through advertising, promotion and public relations, and engages in related industry activities. CAC represents about 3,000 growers in the Golden State. The California Avocado Commission serves as the official information source for the California avocado industry.
YUMA, AZ – With the impending New Moon, Natural Delights is preparing their retailers with two, five, and eleven-pound date boxes to satisfy the demand driven by Muslim shoppers preparing for Ramadan.
Based on the lunar calendar, the observance starts on February 28th this year, but stores are advised that celebrators will start acquiring dates mid-February to have a surplus for the month of festivities ahead.
Last Ramadan, average weekly Medjool date sales increased by 31% for the category, while Natural Delights average weekly sales increased by 44%, according to Circana data. The growth of the Muslim community in the U.S. has contributed to an increased visibility of Ramadan practices and traditions across the country. Additionally, with the rise of social media, more Americans are becoming aware of and acknowledging Ramadan.
“Dates are traditionally eaten as a quick energy source before sunrise during Ramadan, and they pair wonderfully with complementary foods to help sustain energy throughout the day. Coffee, for example, is a beloved morning ritual that, when combined with dates and heart-healthy nuts like almonds or walnuts, provides a boost of caffeine without the crash,” explained Amy Davis, RDN.
The Arizona/California desert growing region began a warming trend over the past week with daytime highs peaking February 3 at 85°F. Temperatures will decline through this week but will remain in the upper 70°s to low 80°s, according to a press release by Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Although the higher temperatures will aid plant growth that had stalled after three weeks of strong winds and morning freeze events, Markon inspectors still expect to see quality challenges through February. In particular, epidermal peeling is expected to increase in iceberg and lettuces such as romaine and green leaf. Other challenges for lettuce and tender leaf items include but are not limited to:
- Dehydration/wilting
- Decreased or inconsistent case weights
- Wind damage
- Epidermal blistering & peeling
- Shortened shelf-life potential
- Yellowing leaves
Markon inspectors continue to monitor desert row crops closely and are working with growers to secure the best product for Markon orders.
Green Leaf
- Markon First Crop (MFC) Premium Green Leaf is available
- Quality is very good
- Yellowing outer leaves are being removed at the field level
- Harvesting crews are avoiding uneven heads
- Demand is strengthening; industry supplies vary from supplier to supplier following consecutive weeks of freezing temperatures that slowed growth
Iceberg
- MFC Premium Iceberg Lettuce is sporadic due to low weights; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed
- Quality is good
- Epidermal blistering/peeling, growth cracks, and lower weights are being observed in many lots
- This week’s warmer weather will further exacerbate blister and peel quality issues
- Demand is strong; industry supplies are tighter, pushing markets higher
Romaine
- Markon First Crop (MFC) Premium Romaine is available
- Quality is strong; epidermal blistering and peeling are present following consecutive lettuce ice events but reduced compared to prior seasons
- Demand is strengthening; however, supplies remain ample
The U.S. citrus crop looked promising in recent weeks with overall good quality for the 2024-25 shipping season.
Total U.S. volume of oranges was forecast at 60.3 million boxes, down slightly from 61.5 million boxes last season, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service January forecast, conducted in cooperation with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Grapefruit volume was forecast at 7.4 million boxes, down from 8.5 million last year, and the lemon forecast was at 27.5 million boxes, up slightly from 27.2 million last season.
In the tangerines/mandarins category, volume for the current season was estimated to be 25.3 million boxes, up from about 24 million boxes last year.
California Citrus Mutual of Exeter, CA reports a good crop this year.
California’s early-season navel oranges were smaller than usual because hot summertime temperatures extended into October.
Growers had to size-pick to meet market demand.
CCM reports average to slightly above-average rainfall in Northern California helped improve size a bit as the season progressed, but citrus, as well as other commodities, were a little on the smaller size.
The 2024-25 California Navel Orange Objective Measurement Report from the California Department of Food and Agriculture forecast the current season’s volume in the Golden State to be 78 million 40-pound cartons, up 2% from last year.
Florida Citrus Mutual of Lakeland, FL reports shipments are progressing. despite Hurricane Milton which blew across 70% of the state’s most productive citrus acreage in October. The Florida citrus industry remains in a recovery mode.
There’s not as much fruit available because of the hurricane, but the quality is good, he said. FCM reported.
USDA expected to see 7 million 90-pound boxes of valencia oranges out of Florida this season and 5 million boxes of non-valencias.
USDA forecast about 1 million 85-pound boxes of grapefruit from Florida, with about 500,000 boxes of specialty citrus, including lemons.
Texas, where red grapefruit accounts for up to 65% of the citrus crop, continues to rebound from a hurricane in 2020, a freeze in 2021 and a series of droughts, reports Texas Citrus Mutual of Mission, TX.
The crop is about 50% of average is.
Quality, size and prices are all good this year.
USDA forecast the Texas 2024-25 grapefruit crop at 1.2 million 80-pound boxes, down from about 1.8 million last year, and estimated the orange crop to be 900,000 90-pound boxes, down from about 1.1 million last year.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville, CA is reporting good volumes and shipments of fresh strawberries leading up to Valentine’s Day, both on the West Coast and from Florida.
The grower/shipper’s latest forecast shows strong volumes of organic and conventionally grown strawberries in the next few weeks, which includes volumes from its Fresh From Florida-labeled product.
California Giant reports its Florida growers will have peak volumes from mid-February to mid-March. This is the second year featuring its Fresh From Florida label — an addition to the classic California Giant insignia which promotes Florida agricultural products through consumer marketing campaigns, partnerships with domestic and international retailers.
The company praised Florida growers for overcoming significant setbacks caused by Hurricane Milton, which delayed the start of the season.
California Giant expects its conventional and organic crop from Santa Maria, CA to increase week over week, barring any major weather events. California Giant reports Mexican strawberries are in peak production and will span the month of February into March. Combined, the Florida, California and Mexican production is set to provide ample volume for Valentine’s Day.
The primary U.S. winter citrus shipping areas are well underway for the 2024-25 season and here are some assessments from growers in California, Florida and Texas.
Sunkist Growers Inc. of Valencia, CA reports a strong start, with a wide range of conventional and organic orange, lemon and specialty citrus varieties.
January begins peak citrus shipping season for the cooperative with cara caras, bloods and minneolas loadings joining shipments of navel oranges, pummelos, lemons and mandarins. Volume on most items is expected to be higher than last year, though below the 10-year average.
Blood and cara cara oranges are expected to increase by 20%, and minneola volume is expected to grow from 20% to 35%.
Wonderful Citrus’ of Los Angeles notes its California mandarin season started in November and will continue through May.
The company launched its sixth season of Wonderful seedless lemons in July and now has year-round distribution nationwide. Its Texas red grapefruit program began in the fall.
The company’s overall quality and sizing of this season’s citrus crop has been good.
Feek Family Citrus of Fort Pierce, FL grows grapefruit, juice oranges and tangerines, and early hamlin oranges.
The season kicked off in early October and will continue until through July.
The company’s growing volume will be down because of Hurricane Milton in October, but packinghouse volume will stay the same, since more growers are producing fresh citrus.
Lone Star Citrus Growers of Mission, TX has begun exporting to South Korea this season.
About 90% of the company’s grapefruit crop is rio reds. The company also produces a few orange varieties, including early, Marrs, pineapple and valencia.
The company’s effort to recover from a 2021 freeze continues to be stymied by the ongoing drought and a light freeze in January 2024. This is resulting in having about 75% of a typical crop.